Making Work Feel Like Play

<sup>Bob Speelman and Mesha Elmore

June 28, 2023</sup>
I spent the day at Darby Glenn Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hilliard, Ohio, yesterday. I had the absolute privilege of working with Meshannda “Mesha” Elmore.

Mesha has been a Nursing Assistant for seven years and is absolutely amazing. I asked Mesha how she got into long-term care, and she said it was because of her mom. Her mom, Margaret Foltx, has been a Nursing Assistant for over forty years and is still working in Columbus taking care of residents. Mesha told me she grew up around nursing, and it was just a natural calling. She plans to start school this year to become an LPN and further her career.

One thing I noticed about Mesha almost immediately was how her residents responded to her and her positive nature. I asked Misha where that came from, and she said, "God and Prayer." She went on to share how she lost two of her sisters a few years ago and her husband of eleven years. Mesha said, “I just pray and keep moving forward.” Mesha has an amazing boyfriend now and stepkids that she loves and adores.

Mesha’s attention to detail is beyond compare. She knows her residents and exactly what they want and like; they don’t even have to ask. When a call light went off, she looked at the room and knew precisely what they needed, and she was right every time.

The other thing that impressed me while I was working with Mesha was the teamwork that the entire Unit had. Mesha was on 100 Hall, but we spent the day on 100, 200, 300 and 400. They were a team, and everyone helped everyone. That was so amazing to be a part of and experience. They all loved and respected each other, from the Unit Manager to the Nurses to the Nursing Assistant. They were all there for the residents.


^{Back Row L to R: Meshannda Elmore, Hassan Gureye, Bob Speelman, Evelyn Erdy and Shiann Heslop
Front Row L to R: Leonta Coston, Nyah Pickney and Chaya Alltop}

Thank you, Mesha and the team at Darby Glenn. You guys are amazing, and I am so proud of all of you. Your passion and love for our residents and each other is powerful, and I left feeling so proud of our Culture of Care.

“Create the kind of workplace and company culture that will attract great talent.

If you hire brilliant people, they will make work feel like play.”

- Richard Branson

Thanks for letting me PLAY with you today!!!

Bob Speelman, STNA