GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY 100 YEARS
The Good Samaritan Society of Wagner has been celebrating a large milestone this past month as they commemorate 100 years of service and dedication to the community.
The society’s administrator, Whitney Podzimek, lives in Wagner and has enjoyed acknowledging the hard work of this organization. She joined the Good Samaritan Society in 2015 as the activity director and mentored under the former administrator, Michele Juffer, until 2018.
Podzimek stated, “We have multiple staff to celebrate. We have such a great, dedicated and engaged team.”
A picnic on September 29th was held for residents and staff to celebrate this important anniversary. Community members and past employees were invited to attend. In addition to the picnic party, the Good Samaritan Society also handed out 100-year swag during Wagner’s 122nd Labor Day parade this year.
“Good Samaritan Society-Wagner serves our rural community and surrounding areas with long term care and rehab care. We take pride in serving and collaborating with our local providers, hospitals and clinics, to ensure our community’s health care needs are met with quality and compassion,” explained Podzimek.
The senior care that this organization does includes: respite care, assisted living care, home based services, rehab and therapy and assistance with independent living. They are a non-profit organization and emphasize a dedication to sharing the love of God through “health, healing and comfort”.
This 100-year anniversary is important for a multitude of reasons, one of which being that a celebration can now occur as a lot of pandemic restrictions have been lifted when it comes to groups congregating together.
Podzimek detailed, “We are excited to enjoy this occasion as we haven’t been able to have any proper celebrations due to the strains that (the) pandemic has presented us in long term care for the past 2 ½ years. We want to feel like a community again, and enjoy the laughter and love all around us.”
In addition to being a momentous anniversary for the non-profit, the 100-year mark is also an excuse to praise employees who have earned admiration for their service and generosity. Barb Villmow, a minimum data set (MDS) nurse with the Good Samaritan Society was recognized for her 45 years of service.
“She has been through the evolution of long term care and has dedicated her career to the care of our residents and to the success of the facility in the various roles that she has held here,” acknowledged Podzimek.
Villmow feels privileged to work for this organization and help others through her role as a healthcare worker in Wagner.
“During the 45 years at Wagner Good Samaritan, I have grown as a nurse, expanded my abilities as a nurse, been able to work in a Christian organization and grew with the cultural changes that happened in the long term care setting,” commented Villmow. “I have been blessed to see several generations pass through the doors of Wagner Good Samaritan and due to this I could make the transition to the nursing facility a little easier as I was a familiar face. It has been a privilege to be able to touch so many different people’s lives.”
Many employees, like Villmow, have worked for multiple decades to help residents of the community. Six employees were reported to have over 30 years of work experience with this non-profit, and 11 employees have worked for the non-profit for over ten years.
Podzimek noted, “We have a substantial amount of experienced employees working here which contributes to successfully carrying out the Good Samaritan Society’s mission.”
That mission is something that holds important meaning to the families and residents who have benefited from the grace and service of Wagner’s Good Samaritan Society. To be around for a century and have great pride in the work one is doing for the local area is never overlooked or taken for granted.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to care for and serve the elders of our community. The delight and passion that exists here within our facility is rare, and I am honored to work alongside of this team of devoted caregivers,” commented Podzimek. “Cheers to 100 more years of serving God’s people.”