When Cheryl Walker, RN, Assistant Director of Nursing at Alaris Health at Cedar Grove, was a young child, she used to watch her older cousin getting ready for her job as a nurse. From that time on, Ms. Walker wanted to dress in white and visit sick people to try and make them well.
“I was born a nurse. Since age four, I have known what I wanted to do. This is my calling and my passion. I like to make sure that our patients feel heard and know that there is someone there to address any issues in a timely way. I try to make our families and patients happy,” says Ms. Walker, a Montclair resident.
Ms. Walker says her greatest job satisfaction comes when a patient who arrived “too sick to even brush his or her teeth,” is finally healed through the efforts of the entire team and strong enough to return home. It feels good to make a difference to these patients, and to their families, she adds. She lovingly recalls one elderly patient who would say, each time she returned to the facility for continued care, “I’m back to see my favorite nurse.”
This dedication to patients has made Ms. Walker well regarded by her staff. In honor of National Nursing Home Week, May 12-16, Alaris Health at Cedar Grove has chosen to highlight Ms. Walker as an exemplary employee. The American Health Care Association established National Nursing Home Week in 1967 as a week-long observance celebrating the positive impact nursing homes can have on the lives of people. Each Alaris Member Health Center is participating in this celebration and has chosen an employee to highlight.
“Cheryl has been employed at facility for many years, starting as a staff LPN, then received a promotion to sub-acute unit manager. Cheryl is an integral part of the facility, fully dedicated to patient care. We are pleased to select her during this month,” says Jennifer Puleo, MSRD, LNHA, Administrator, Alaris Health at Cedar Grove.
The theme of this year’s National Nursing Home Week is “Team Care: Everyone Pitches in.” The theme recognizes residents and patients in long term and post-acute care settings, the dedicated staff who care for them, and the value of care planning where everyone “pitches in” for optimal outcomes.
“Alaris Health celebrates our employees for improving and enhancing the lives of our patients,” says Avery Eisenreich, President of Alaris Health.
Alaris Health at Cedar Grove is a well appointed facility, located in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, that offers a warm, supportive and uplifting environment for post-hospitalization short-term rehabilitation patients and long-term residents alike. Please call (973) 571-6600 for more information.
