Touchmark Strong Champions

Patricia Vannett

Patricia works as a front desk team member at Touchmark on West Century. As one of the first faces visitors see and voices callers hear when contacting the community, Patricia offers hope and reassurance to residents and family members alike. When asked what actions she takes to keep herself, residents, and fellow colleagues safe, she says:

• The actions/efforts I take in my personal life to keep safe and healthy are my commitments to social distancing and mask-wearing.
• Dining: My husband and I choose to support our local restaurants with takeout or delivery rather than eating out. If we happen to want that special treat of eating out, we do so at a time when the restaurant is not busy and only at locations where they follow strict masking and distancing guidelines.
• Vitamins and exercise: I am religious about taking my vitamins, walking, and drinking lots of fluids. I try to relax every day with some reading.
• Virtual gatherings: We meet with family and friends virtually, and we even play games together online.

I am motivated to take these actions in several ways. First, my husband has poor health and is in a high-risk health category. If he takes some risks, that is his choice. But, if he were to become sick and perhaps fatally ill because of my actions, I could not live with myself. Secondly, I want to continue my role as an active, healthy, and independent person who volunteers to make a difference in my community and the world. Lastly, I want to continue to be the FUN grandma who dresses up in costumes, goes to the playground, swims, and plays hide and seek with my grandsons. Family is critical to a full and active life.

The Touchmark Values of Integrity and Compassion are the ones that guide my life. I am so proud to say that having integrity is something that our children have learned through our actions. It is apparent in the respect they have gained in their professions and personal friendships.

“Recognize others may not wish to be treated the same way you do. Allow for individual differences and preferences for relationship situations. Put others’ wishes before your own, and, in return, your life will become more fulfilled.”

Bill Davis

Bill is a Building Services Technician at Touchmark on West Century. He is very responsive in helping residents and other team members within his community. He knows how to get things done, and always does so with a smile under his mask. When asked what actions he takes to keep himself, residents, and fellow colleagues safe, he says:

• Wearing a mask, I distance myself from others and wear a face shield while at work. I use hand sanitizer at both work and home.
• I am motivated to take these actions in order to keep myself, my family, coworkers, the residents, and others with whom I come into contact safe and healthy.
• These efforts keep us all safe and healthy so we can continue working and stay out of the hospital.
• All of the Touchmark Values resonate with me, and I would add that keeping a smile on while at work for myself and others has become a personal one for me.

“To all—get the vaccine. You don’t have anything of which to be afraid. The sooner we get this virus under control, the sooner we can get back to normal life.”

Heidi Dalusong

Heidi works at Touchmark on West Century as a Life Enrichment/ Wellness Coordinator. She has been essential in keeping residents’ spirits up throughout the pandemic and has stepped up to help in other areas needing extra sets of hands. When asked what actions she takes to keep herself, residents, and fellow colleagues safe, she says:

• I stay at home more and don’t go out to eat. When I do go out, it’s mainly to the grocery store, and I always wear my mask.
• The residents are my best friends, and you don’t get your best friend sick; you do anything you can to keep your friends healthy, so by wearing my mask and staying at home more, I’m helping to keep them safe.
• You need to lead by example; others see what you are doing and are more willing to follow along.
• “I insist upon excellence as my standard approach” is the Touchmark Value that most resonates with me during this time.

“We are all in this together, and we will get through it by working together.”

Joseph Klitzke

Joe works at Touchmark on West Century as a CNA and is very dedicated to providing the best care to residents possible. He leads with a positive attitude and is always willing to offer a (masked) smile and helping hand. When asked what actions he takes to keep himself, residents, and fellow colleagues safe, he says:

• I always practice proper hand hygiene and PPE compliance as well as effective communication with my coworkers.
• My motivation for taking these actions is the population of individuals I care for at Touchmark, my family, friends, and fellow coworkers. I want to keep them all safe, now more than ever.
• I feel that I am doing right by the residents and leading by example, which provides a positive impact.
• The Touchmark Values all resonate with me, especially our core Values of Excellence, Teamwork, Hospitality, Integrity, and Compassion. Demonstrating these and leading by example are what constitute an above-and-beyond employee here at Touchmark!

“It is important to respect one another. Practice the ‘Golden Rule’—do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”