By Tim Evans
Index Reporter
Putting “service above self,” Simpson Memorial Home Activities Director Michelle Wheeler has been honored with the Iowa Support & Services Professional of the Year.
Called an “exemplary activities director” in her nomination letter, Wheeler will receive her state award on Sept. 11 in Ames after being honored by West Liberty Mayor Mark Smith at a special presentation earlier this month.
Known to be “insightful, creative, and dedicated” Wheeler originally worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for many years and was promoted to Activity Director for a total of 16 years at Simpson Memorial Home.
In the nomination letter, it pointed out Wheeler was identified early on for her “passion and spirit” that got her recognized as an informal leader and “someone other employees look up to for guidance with a steady hand.”
Clifford McFerren, administrator at the home located in West Liberty, said “It was those qualities that allowed her to grow into the awe-inspiring activities director with one of the best activity programs that I have seen in my short 24-year career in long term care. “
He described her as. “Always friendly, always willing to help, and always willing to listen, Michelle is one of a kind.
“With her at the helm, the activity schedule went from repetition of the same monthly activities to a vast variety of activities and mostly new events,” McFerren added.
Wheeler aligns programs for both skilled nursing residents and assisted living tenants. “She promotes unique individual activities to meet specific areas of interest, often outside standard working hours,” McFerren said. “Residents and families hold her in high regard.
“In almost every care conference and in all Resident Council Meetings, positive consumer feedback is given to the activity department and Wheeler specifically,” he continued.
A sampling of activities includes:
Outings like a trip on the Celebration Belle boat ride, museums, shopping, restaurants, Christmas light viewing, fishing, picnics in parks, county fairs, parades (including residents on the Simpson float) and even outdoor music at a winery.
In-house activities, including games, crafts, exercise, music, church, men’s group, cake walks, coffee group, music, baking, happy hour, movies, llama and alpaca visits, live farm animal exhibit, foot spas, special performances such as Elvis, cook outs with fireside making of s'mores, Easter egg hunt not, only for residents but families of residents and families of staff, holiday open houses, volunteer appreciation events, TV special sporting events with “awesome” food, events held outdoors as weather permits, tractor parade, resident bike rides with a local pastor.
Wheeler has also conducted a lot of one-on-one activities including fulfilling one resident’s dream to attend a Chicago Cubs game, Wheeler used her own time to not only take her to the game but put together an overnight stay in Chicago and some sight-seeing.
She’s also taken residents to events special to them such as a Catholic church fish fry outside of working hours or visiting places dear to them such as cemetery gravesites.
Wheeler has also taken residents who love to garden to gardening centers, buying plants for the courtyard, with those residents completing planting and plant care.
She’s helped residents enter their crafts in the Muscatine County Fair and has taking them to judging events, celebrating their success.
She also helps families set up the activity room for weekend and evening birthday parties and special family/resident-tenant events.
One of her employees, Delia Gonzalez, stated, “If a resident/tenant says I have not done something for a long time or want to do something, Michelle makes it happen. She is like a Make a Wish Foundation for the elderly.”
Wheeler goes above and beyond expectations and is the ultimate multi-tasker, according to McFerren. “Service Above Self would be an excellent moniker to describe Michelle.”
As a CNA, she has helped nursing staff on numerous occasions with resident care. “During the COVID-19 crisis she was a critical team staff member, filling in CNA hours for those who could not work due to having COVID-19,” McFerren said.
“She is actively involved in employee appreciation events, always attentive to ensuring their good work is recognized,” McFerren said. “She does all her work with enthusiasm and a smile.”
He said Wheeler brings happiness to all with her great sense of humor and love of her work, pointing out she made an April Fools calendar that gave everyone a laugh, with events listed such as cow tipping and cactus toss.
“Our Simpson Memorial Home community is very grateful to Ms. Wheeler and recognize her vast contribution to truly making our facility a supportive and loving home for our residents and tenants,” McFerren finalized.