Hannah Saunders – Caring for Residents Like Family

“I decided I wanted to help people at a young age,” says Hannah Saunders, Resident Care Assistant, at UMRC & Porter Hills. “In fact, I’m pretty sure I was still in diapers when I decided I wanted to be a nurse.”

A Team Member Scholarship from the UMRC and Porter Hills Foundations is helping Hannah fulfill her dream of completing the nursing program at Michigan State University. “The more education I get, the better I can assist our wonderful residents,” says Hannah, currently in her second year of college. “Not very many workplaces offer scholarships. This helps remove a lot of financial stress for me.”

Especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hannah, who started her job last April, is experiencing the dedication and determination of healthcare workers. “When everyone else is afraid of the risk, we rise to the challenge, risking our own health and that of our loved ones to care for our residents who become like family.”   

This Jackson native says,  “Working at UMRC & Porter Hills has opened my eyes in unimaginable ways. A nurse’s role in healthcare is much more than the average person may notice. It’s not about the money or the job title, it is about creating the best quality of life for the person in need. In addition to physical care, they rely on us to feel safe and to feel love. Nurses and healthcare workers make a difference, and I love being a part of it.”

You can support success stories like Hannah’s!  To learn more about the UMRC Foundation and Porter Hills Foundation Team Member Support Services program, visit UMRCFoundation.UMRCPH.com or PorterHillsFoundation.UMRCPH.com.