I’d Rather See a Sermon
From L to R: Kacey Poorman, Bob Speelman, Nina Colvin, Nikki GoldOctober 6, 2017NOTE: The following are the words from Bob Speelman, owner of Claymont Health and Rehabilitation. Bob is the owner of Atlas Healthcare Solutions, a healthcare company with 37 nursing homes in Ohio. He is also a proud nursing assistant, and works each week as an STNA to learn more about the Atlas motto -- "Supporting Superior Care." The words from his blog are below.
I had the opportunity yesterday to work as an nursing assistant in Uhrichsville, Ohio at Claymont Health & Rehabilitation Center, our 67 bed facility in Eastern Ohio. Nina Colvin is the Administrator and Nikki Gold is the Director of Nursing. Nina and Nikki are doing an outstanding job at Claymont and it was wonderful to get to spend the day there with them and their team.
One of those team members that I was able to work alongside was Kacey Poorman. Kacey is married to Sam and they have two young children, Abel who is 2, and Olivia who is 1. Kacey started out in long term care in the dietary department at another facility. Kacey enjoyed dietary but she said she felt she wanted to make more of a difference and so she got her STNA license.
The first facility she worked at as an STNA is Claymont. She has been there now for 3 years. The day I spent with Kacey she was a float between all three units. She knew everything about each resident and their care plans and their likes and dislikes. If you asked God to create the perfect STNA you would end up with Kacey. She is a quiet, confident leader that lets her actions speak louder than her words. She was a team player and the minute one of her coworkers radioed that they needed assistance, Kacey would respond that she’d be right there.
There’s a poem by Edgar Guest, entitled
The Sermons We See, that has been very influential in my life and I thought about that poem throughout the day while working with Kacey. The words can be found below:
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather have you walk beside me
than merely point the way.
The eye is a more ready pupil
than ever was the ear,
Good advice is often confusing
but examples always clear.
And best of the preachers
are those that live their creeds.
For to see good put into action
is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how to do it
if you let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action
but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver
may be wise and true
but I’d rather get my lesson
by observing what you do.
For I might misunderstand you
and the good advice you give
but there is no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.
Thank you, Kacey, for following your heart and wanting to do something more. I now know your story, without you even having to share a word. You clearly love your residents and are an amazing nursing assistant. I heard loud and clear the sermon you preached to me today, and it has made me a better person.
Bob Speelman, STNA
Bob's Blog