Back to School with the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation Scholarship Program
It’s that time of year—everyone is going back to school. That includes some of our Brio Living Services team members, thanks to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation Team Member Scholarship program! We are pleased to highlight some of our recent Scholarship recipients!
Angela Edward: Thanks to her Foundation Scholarship, Angela, a social worker at Thome PACE, has completed and earned her certificate as an End-of-Life Doula.
Angela explains, “An end-of-life doula prepares a terminally ill person for end of life by assuring they feel as prepared and at peace as possible for their transition to death. This can include creating a legacy project, working on wills or advance directives, and completing any final wishes, as well as personal care like hand massages or listening to music that helps the person feel comforted. I am honored to work with our participants until end of life, knowing they are spending some of these precious moments with me. The Foundation’s support of my training means I have the tools to offer dignity at end of life to our elder community and provide the delicacy and grace that our elders deserve.”
Shelly Teesdale: An occupational therapist and Therapy Clinical Manager for Brio Home Health, Shelly oversees a team of 16 occupational and physical therapists and speech pathologists. “I really enjoy helping my team succeed,” says Shelly.
Shelly’s Scholarship is helping her complete a certificate program for coding the OASIS assessment, a standardized, interdisciplinary tool used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for determining care and billing. “Every time we enroll a new patient, they must complete this more than 100-question assessment,” Shelly says. “This training will better equip myself and my team and ensure that Home Health patients are getting the proper care they need.”
Shelly is thankful the Scholarship program is offered. “Continuing education is important for all of us, especially anyone who works with older adults. I encourage my team members to apply for scholarships to pursue programs and courses they’re interested in. It’s important to grow our knowledge and better serve our customers.”
JoDee Kelly: Formerly a dental assistant in the U.S. Army, JoDee began her career at Porter Hills Village 28 years ago—first as a CNA in the Health Center, then as a Shabaz when Brio’s Green House® Homes opened in 2009. Today, she continues to care for older adults there as an LPN, thanks to a Foundation Scholarship. A second Scholarship is helping her become a registered nurse.
“I always wanted to be a nurse, but didn’t have the opportunity,” JoDee shares. “The Scholarships have helped me not have to take out another loan. It’s one less worry.”
JoDee encourages others to continue their education. “If you’re going back to school, apply for a Foundation Scholarship. It’s easy to do, and there are lots of opportunities you can pursue. I really enjoy working with the elders and knowing I’ve made an impact in someone’s life.”
You can help make our team members’ career goals come true with a donation to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Team Member Support Services Fund. Or learn more about career opportunities at Brio Living Services for a career you’ll love.