May 5, 2022
Pastor Ricky A. Rohrig Sr. was introduced to a career in long-term care after serving as a part-time chaplain. Since then, he has served in a variety of roles in long-term care. As a licensed administrator at Good Samaritan Society in Red Oak and Villisca, Ricky enjoys the ability to make a difference in the lives of residents, their families and staff members.
How did you become interested in the long-term care profession?
I started working in long-term care on May 13, 2013 as a part-time chaplain. Since then, I have been a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) coordinator, driver, involved in marketing, staff development coordinator and talent management consultant (for our parent company, Sanford Health). I later went through the administrator-in-training program to become a licensed nursing home administrator, where I now serve at two locations.
What do you like most about working in long-term care?
It is such a rewarding and fulfilling industry to be in. There are several things I enjoy about being a licensed nursing home administrator. The thing I enjoy the most is the ability to make a difference for the residents and families we serve, as well as leading staff I work with. It brings me great joy to see the smiles on the residents’ faces and the impact my leadership has on the staff I get the opportunity to work with at the two facilities I serve.
What would you tell others to encourage them to consider a career in long-term care?
It is definitely not a job, it is a calling. If you want to have a profound effect on others while being blessed to serve others, long-term care is the career for you.
What lessons have you learned working in long-term care that also help outside of work?
I have learned patience, perseverance and endurance. Working in long-term care is not for the faint of heart. You have to have patience when dealing with others. There will always be conflict to some degree but the way you handle it, and most importantly, the way you strive to resolve it, makes all the difference. Those are lessons that you can use in any area of your life.
When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
In my limited free time, I enjoy anything that has to do with family. I am a husband to my wife Melanie, a father to seven children and grandfather to two. I am also a pastor and am working on a Doctor of Theology degree.
What is your favorite quote and why?
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV): “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” These are my Bible life verses I strive to live by daily.
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