Haley Jones, Memorial Health System
In a time where longevity in the workplace is rare, Laurie Johnson stands as a shining example of commitment and dedication to her patients, co-workers, and Memorial Health System (MHS). This December 2024, Laurie celebrates her 25 years of service with the health system.
Laurie began her journey with MHS in the Environmental Services Department, mainly working in the ROSE Behavioral Health Unit. During her three years there, she became friends with several staff members and patients, and it was at that time that she was encouraged to take another step in her career and earn her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license.
At that time, Salina Vo-Tech had an outreach-training program, and courses were conveniently provided at Memorial Hospital. She only had to travel as far as Enterprise to complete her clinicals at Enterprise Estates, the long-term care facility there. Shortly after, Laurie earned her Home Health Aide certification – a requirement for working at Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson County (HH&H).
Her transition to HH&H from Environmental Services came through a chance encounter with a former nurse, Lynn, of the ROSE Unit who now worked for HH&H. When Lynn realized that Laurie was earning her CNA, she immediately told the director of HH&H at that time, Carol Whitehair. Carol, having known Laurie for many years and recognizing Laurie’s potential, offered her a position. For over two decades, Laurie has excelled in her role, providing compassionate, personalized care to patients in their homes during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Laurie works a set schedule, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, her weekly duties vary depending on the needs of her patients. “Each week is different,” Laurie explains. “If I’m seeing a patient who just needs basic help, like housekeeping, I may only visit once a week. But if I’m caring for someone with a wound who needs help bathing or changing dressings, I’ll visit a few times a week. For hospice patients, I may be there every day of the week depending on their condition.”
Where Laurie truly excels is in hospice care. It just happens to be the area she prefers as well. She takes great pride in making each patient feel as comfortable as possible. “When you are working with people at the end of life, it’s about more than just physical care – it’s about making them feel at peace with comfort and companionship. Many patients just don’t want to be alone, and I like to spend time with them during those final moments.”
Laurie shared a last-moment story that highlights the depth of care she provides when caring for her patients. “A daughter of a hospice patient asked me to paint her mother’s nails, so I sat there painting and talking with the mom. One minute her eyes were open and the next minute they were closed. I felt her hand go limp in mine. I had two fingernails left to paint, so I finished them, and then went to tell her daughter that she had passed.”
“The ornery patients are my favorite,” she adds with a chuckle. Many end-of-life patients can be resistant to things like taking a bath or eating. It is those moments, where she gets to use her “tough love” and persuasion skills to convince patients to take care of themselves when either they have lost the motivation, or they no longer can comprehend enough to do so. Laurie cares until the very end. Laurie’s unique ability to connect with patients has made her a valuable asset to the HH&H team. Over the years, coworkers have come to rely on her when they need some extra help.
Laurie’s work extends beyond the home setting to hospice patients in nursing homes as well. She is grateful for the new hospice room that was built at Village Manor, which allows staff to care for hospice patients in a peaceful, dedicated space. She says, “It allows us to focus on the patient’s comfort and dignity without interfering with the other residents or staff. It makes a huge difference in the care we provide. The only downside to this is that there is only one hospice room. At one time, we had eight patients in hospice care at Village Manor. We try to gauge which patient is closest to passing and move them to that room. If there is more than one patient at the same status, then unfortunately one patient has to stay in the room that they share with another resident.”
Laurie has a vision for the future of hospice care that would extend the idea of patients passing in a home environment. “I would love to see Abilene have a hospice house someday. Those patients who desire to pass at home, but are unable to because of the lack of caregivers available, are often moved to nursing facilities. It’s sad when the last thing a patient wants is to go peacefully in their own home, but they can’t. If we had a hospice house, I think many patients would prefer this to a nursing facility.”
For Laurie, being a Home Health Aide is not just a job; it’s personal. Having lived in Abilene her whole life, Laurie knows many of her patients and their families on a deeper level. This can make her job emotionally challenging at times. “It can make it harder when you know the person and their family. It can be tough leaving a home knowing it’s probably the last time you will talk to them.” Some of the patients Laurie has taken care of for many years because they were on the home health side and later transitioned to hospice. “I had a patient who reserved services for nine years,” she says. Laurie admits that the emotional weight of her work follows her home long after her shift is over. “You grow very close to these patients and build relationships over time. It’s hard, but rewarding at the same time to know that you have been there every step of the way. I try not to cry in front of the patient. Sometimes I hold it in until I am in my car driving to the next patient’ house.”
As Laurie celebrates 25 years of service with MHS, she is recognized for the countless lives she has touched. It is enough to fill three scrapbooks with obituaries. Laurie never wants to forget someone who she has taken care of, especially those whom she has only had a short time with. This is just another example of Laurie’s dedication to her patients.
Congratulations on reaching a quarter century, Laurie! MHS thanks you, HH&H thanks you, and without a doubt, your community thanks you!
