November 3, 2025
Meet Michael (Mike), a central Iowa activity director who enjoys connecting with his residents and putting a smile on their faces. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? I worked for 17 years working with people with learning disabilities when a former co-worker called and said I would be great in activitiesOctober 10, 2025
Meet Alaina, a passionate long-term care nurse whose career began in high school and has grown into a lifelong calling. How did you get started in the long-term care profession?I obtained my CNA in high school and went to college for nursing in my thirties. When I graduated with my RN, I had built suchOctober 24, 2024
After transitioning from acute care to long-term care nursing, Abby found it to be the best decision of her career, appreciating the teamwork and close relationships with tenants. She encourages others to consider long-term care for its rewarding opportunities to advocate for the elderly and build deep connections. How did you get started in theAugust 19, 2024
Kaleigh Sieck, executive director and communication relations director at Birkwood Village of Tama/Toledo, has been working in long-term care for 15 years. She finds joy in creating a happy environment for residents to call home. How did you get started in the long-term care profession?I started working in health care 15 years ago. My firstJune 11, 2024
Sandy began her career in health care seventeen years ago, starting in housekeeping at Summit House Retirement Village and transitioned to Recreation Program Director, a role she has held for the past twelve years. Her favorite aspect of working in long-term care is building bonds and trust with the tenants. How did you get startedNovember 16, 2023
Peggy Domino, a restorative certified nursing assistant (CNA) and transportation lead at Black Hawk Life Care, has worked in long-term care for over 25 years and finds her career to be inspiring and rewarding. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? Helping others in our small-town community came naturally to me. AfterNovember 9, 2023
Bobbie Weber, director of nursing (DON) at St. Anthony Nursing Home, finds joy in connecting and building relationships with her residents and their families. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? I returned for my Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree. I then returned to teaching because of family changes. WhatNovember 2, 2023
Kayla Kouri, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and certified medication aide (CMA) at Spurgeon Manor fell in love with her career on day one and enjoys forming unique connections with each of her residents. Additionally, Kayla is a 2023 IHCA Member Employee Scholarship recipient. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? IOctober 26, 2023
Marty Ciesielski, a housekeeper at Buchanan County Health Center – Lexington Estate, enjoys talking with residents and putting a smile on their faces. How did you get started in the long-term care (LTC) profession? I noticed a job opening as a housekeeper. What do you like most about working in long-term care? The things IOctober 19, 2023
Stacy Willard, assistant director of nursing (ADON) and Minimum Data Set (MDS) coordinator at Humboldt County Memorial Hospital – LTC, has worked in long-term care (LTC) for over 17 years and enjoys making the facility feel like home for her residents. Additionally, Stacy is a 2023 Care Initiatives Director of Nursing (DON) IHCA Foundation ScholarshipOctober 12, 2023
Elizabeth Magsino, a certified medication aide (CMA) and certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Spurgeon Manor, enjoys her career in long-term care (LTC) and describes how contributing to her resident’s joy and quality care gives her a sense of purpose and happiness. Additionally, Elizabeth is a recent 2023 John W. and Kimberly D. Grubb Registered NurseOctober 5, 2023
Stephanie Hennings, director of nursing (DON) at Eastern Star Masonic Home, describes long-term care (LTC) to be a rewarding career each and every day. She enjoys enriching the quality of life and building relationships with residents and their families. Additionally, Stephanie is a recent recipient of the 2023 IHCA Foundation Care Initiatives DON Scholarship. HowSeptember 28, 2023
Rachel Henriksen, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Accura Healthcare of Bancroft, enjoys making connections with her residents, resident family members and coworkers. Rachel is a 2023 IHCA Foundation John W. and Kimberly D. Grubb Registered Nurse (RN) Scholarship recipient and looks forward to working toward her dream of becoming a nurse. How did youSeptember 14, 2023
Phelan Birchmier, a resident aide at Green Hills Retirement Community, finds joy in making a positive difference in her residents’ lives. Phelan is also a 2023 recipient of the IHCA Member Employee Scholarship. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? I decided to become a nurse aide in high school because ISeptember 7, 2023
Billie Lovell, provisional administrator at Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville, finds her career in long-term care to be rewarding and enjoys seeing the smiles on her residents’ faces. Billie is a recent IHCA Member Employee Scholarship recipient and is looking forward to continuing her education. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? IAugust 31, 2023
Chanda Jensen began working in long-term care to follow her passion of helping others. As a universal worker, CNA and medication aide at Boyson Heights Senior Living in Cedar Rapids, she enjoys being able to make a positive difference in residents’ lives. Chanda is a recent recipient of a 2023 IHCA Member Employee Scholarship andAugust 24, 2023
Adelle has held multiple positions in long-term care (LTC) and describes LTC as a fulfilling career. She has dreamed of becoming a nurse since kindergarten and is taking classes to work toward turning her dream into a reality. She is currently a certified nursing assistant at Prairie View Campus in Sanborn and is a recentAugust 17, 2023
Alisha Bowen has helped provide quality care to residents as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Pleasantview for over nine years. Alisha enjoys helping the residents and finds her career in long-term care to be very rewarding. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? I started a job in dietary at anotherAugust 10, 2023
Katie Gescheidler became inspired to work in long-term care after completing a certified nurse assistant (CNA) licensure program while in high school. After earning her CNA licensure, Katie began working as a CNA at Green Hills Community and is excited to continue her nursing education. Katie is a 2023 John W. and Kimberly D. GrubbAugust 3, 2023
Beth Fleming became inspired to work in long-term care (LTC) after volunteering at a local nursing home before attending college. Now the vice president of post-acute care at Great River Health System – Klein Center, Beth enjoys hearing stories from the residents and being able to help others. Beth is a recent 2023 IHCA MemberJuly 27, 2023
Growing up, Emma Dewey became inspired at a young age by many of her family members who worked in long-term care. Now a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Mayflower Community Homes, Emma finds long-term care to be a rewarding career. Emma is a recent recipient of the John W. and Kimberly D. Grubb Registered NurseMay 4, 2023
Autumn Wolbert began her career in long-term care as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and fell in love with the setting and people. Autumn followed her dream of becoming a nurse and currently serves as the director of nursing at Prairie Vista Village. She describes long-term care as a very rewarding setting and enjoys makingApril 27, 2023
Kali Vanweelden began her career in the dietary department and is now a caregiver at Holland Farms in Norwalk. She enjoys learning life lessons from those she cares for and finds her role very rewarding. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? I started in dietary at a different facility, and laterApril 20, 2023
Seventeen years ago, Kristen saw an advertisement in the newspaper for a local job opportunity in long-term care. She applied and was hired at Homestead Assisted Living of Chariton and found her passion and home away from home. Kristen describes her career in long-term care as “the most rewarding job I have ever had.” HowApril 13, 2023
Susan Wiley enjoys creating a positive long-term impact in her long-term care career as the executive director at Homestead of Mason City. Additionally, Susan is a member of the 2022-2023 IHCA Executive Health Care Leadership Institute. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? Elders have always been a part of my life.April 6, 2023
Sonia Roberts of Holland Farms finds joy in her career in long-term care and enjoys working with seniors. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? I worked for a staffing agency as a PSK for internal medicine. From there, I was hired as a full-time housekeeper for WesleyLife and loved working withMarch 30, 2023
Jennifer Babinat recently made a career change and joined long-term care, where she has found her home away from home. Jennifer, a life enrichment coach assistant at Holland Farms Senior Living, describes long-term care as a career path that gives back in numerous ways. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? IMarch 23, 2023
Lacey May began working in long-term care throughout high school and college as a dietary aide. After college, Lacey continued to serve others in long-term care as a community nurse. Lacey describes long-term care as a very rewarding career and enjoys building relationships with residents and their families. How did you get started in theMarch 16, 2023
Throughout her childhood, Rachel became inspired to work in long-term care by her two grandmothers. Rachel later attended the University of Northern Iowa to study long-term care administration and now serves as the administrator of Accura HealthCare of Cascade. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? Growing up, I was really closeMarch 9, 2023
Kayla Zellmer began working as a nurse aide in college and found a career in long-term care to be fulfilling and special. Now, Kayla serves as the executive director at Northridge Village. Kayla is also a member of IHCA’s 2022-2023 Executive Health Care Leadership Institute. How did you get started in the long-term care profession?March 2, 2023
KyLee Walker, the assisted living director at Prairie Vista Village, enjoys connecting with residents and staff and has found a love for her career in long-term care. KyLee is also a member of IHCA’s 2022-2023 Executive Health Care Leadership Institute. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? I took the certified nursingFebruary 23, 2023
Mallory Orton began volunteering in a nursing facility while a student in middle school and found a love for long-term care. She continues to follow her passion of helping others by serving as the administrator at Montrose Health Center. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? I began volunteering at a nursingFebruary 16, 2023
Angie Anderson’s passion and dream to help others began in early childhood. As the director of nursing at Northridge Village, Angie provides exceptional care to others every day and has developed a sincere love for helping, providing care and spending time with her residents. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? IFebruary 9, 2023
Brodey Hanson, executive director at The Bridges at Ankeny, enjoys working in long-term care and has a passion for providing the highest quality of care for his residents. The Bridges at Ankeny was recognized as a 2022 Governor’s Award for Quality Health Care Facilities. The Governor’s Award recognizes Iowa health care facilities that offer uniqueFebruary 2, 2023
Gail has worked at Laurens Care Center for ten years and has over 40 years of experience serving others in long-term care in a variety of ways, including working in the dietary and activities departments, as a CNA and most recently as an administrator. Congratulations to Gail Olson on her upcoming retirement this Friday. ThankJanuary 26, 2023
Sharon began serving others in long-term care nearly 25 years ago as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and currently serves as the executive director at Accura HealthCare in Marshalltown. She describes long-term care as “a very rewarding career path” and enjoys building relationships with residents, families and employees. Additionally, Sharon is a member of theJanuary 19, 2023
Maria Genevieh Lata has worked in multiple areas of health care. As the VP of operations and administrator at Freedom Home Health Care, she enjoys working in long-term care and makes a positive difference in the lives of many every day. Additionally, she is a member of the 2022-2023 IHCA Executive Health Care Leadership Institute.January 12, 2023
Lydia has worked in long-term care since high school and continues to share her passion of helping individuals as the assistant director of home care services at Home Care Services of Boone County Hospital. How did you get started in the long-term care profession? When I was in high school, I worked as a certified