Horizon Health Inc. Department Spotlight: Activities Staff
- By Horizon Health Services
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- 24 Jan, 2019
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We are especially proud of our staff at Horizon Health Inc.
The best possible care comes when you have the best team of people working together toward a common goal.
We interviewed our fantastic Activities staff members – Michele Henifin, Dawn M. Lattimer, and Bonnie Pohl. Get to know them better:
1. Why Did You Choose a Career at Horizon Health Inc.?
Dawn: Horizon Health is a well-known and respected company. My initial contact was when I took the CNA class they offered. I was impressed with the class and the staff that I met. When I saw an opportunity to join Horizon Health Inc. as an Activity Coordinator, there was no question; I jumped at the chance to apply. I chose to be an Activity Coordinator for a myriad of reasons. First and foremost is my love to spend time with seniors. Second, I saw the position as a chance to enrich lives and truly make a difference. This is the most rewarding job that I have ever had and, honestly, this is not a job to me. It is my honor and pleasure to spend days with the residents of Harmony House.
Bonnie: I started out as a CNA with Harmony House, but I was always interested in helping people enjoy their time doing the things they love and remember.
2. What Would You Tell People that are Considering a Job Like Yours?
Dawn: This career choice is the most rewarding I have ever made. Daily, I am amazed and in awe of the amazing and talented individuals we serve. So often I am moved to smiles, laughter, joy, and at times tears by our residents. Not all moments are easy, but this job is not quite like any other. For the right person – a person who is compassionate, wants to make a difference, and who can think outside the box – Horizon Health Inc. is a great choice.
Bonnie: If you have a smile on your face and a kind manner about you, people react positively to you. If you love them, they will love you back.
3. Do You Have Any Heartwarming Stories or Moments That Have Impacted You?
Dawn: Recently, I asked a resident if she wanted to listen to music by a particular artist. The resident’s mouth opened wide. Hand over mouth, eyes wide and filled with tears of joy, they stated, “Oh, would I!” Such an easy question to ask and answer to fulfill and the joy it brought to the resident is something I will never forget.
Bonnie: Once I was gone for a few days. Upon my return, one of the residents gave me a big hug and we cried together, I knew he had missed me as much as I had missed him.
4. What is the Most Rewarding Part of Your Job?
Dawn: The most rewarding part of my job is that I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of our residents every day. It is rewarding to take a situation and do what I can to make the outcome the best it can be.
Bonnie: Seeing people in the morning and them asking, “What are we doing today?” They know I am there for them.
5. What Are Your Backgrounds?
Dawn: My college degree is in Speech Communication. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, I taught two courses at Mankato State University: 100 level Public Speaking and Interpersonal Communication. I have worked at several positions and locations of Champps Restaurants around the Twin Cities. I have also held multiple positions at major brokerage firms and was a Financial Assistant to as many as four Financial Advisors at one time. After the Financial collapse that began around 2008, I turned my talents toward working with seniors and fulfilled my desire to work with seniors who need assistance.
Bonnie: I am a Certified Nursing Assistant by trade, but I bring many years of experience being a mom, a wife, a grandma, and a friend.
6. Is There Anything About Working at Horizon Health Inc. That You Would Like People to Know?
Dawn: My position is not always easy, but with an open mind, a desire to learn, an open-minded attitude, and a true desire to make a difference, this is the most amazing job ever!
Bonnie: Every day is different. You have to go with the flow and be flexible. Not everything goes as planned!
7. What is Your Favorite Part of Your Job?
Bonnie: We tell a lot of stories and we sing a lot! We have laughter every day!
It is important to us at Horizon Health that we highlight our dedicated employees and help you learn more about the people who make our services great. In this edition of employee spotlight, you will meet Angie Athman, a licensed social worker for our hospice care, and Kelsey Benson, the care coordinator with Horizon Health.
All About Angie
With 12 years as a social worker under her belt, the last 6 of which have been spent working in hospice at Horizon Health, Angie Athman is a valued employee. Nevertheless, she is humble about her position. Angie says her favorite part of her job is the peace it brings her. She says working to serve the aging population is an honor and brings into perspective how precious life really is. While she does think working with end of life patients can be hard, Angie says she is grateful for Horizon’s supportive workplace where her coworkers are like family and the inspirational stories she hears from her elderly patients. When asked if there is anything she feels needs to be known about her position, Angie says that besides her job duties, she runs two caregiver support groups and provides community support to those nearing a hospice situation with a loved one. Angie invites anyone who could use her help to reach out to Horizon Health Hospice at 320-468-2788.
Keeping Up With Kelsey
Also a licensed social worker, our care coordinator Kelsey has done a fabulous job since starting at Horizon Health. Kelsey previously worked in a nursing home and enjoyed serving the elderly population. This led her to pursue social work at Horizon Health. She says her favorite part of her job is connecting families to resources they might not have otherwise had that make their lives easier. The rewarding part is making connections and helping people with compassion and a helpful heart. Kelsey says she really knows her elderly patients on a personal level and values building those relationships!
These two wonderful women make our hospice care more empathetic, more effective, and more supportive for our patients and their families. We are proud to shine a spotlight on Angie and Kelsey!
