A homeless woman learns to trust the people who want to help her.
(Colonial Heights, [Lawrence, Mass.])

After an amputation, a young woman renews her love of running.
(Mediplex Rehabilitation Hospital-Marlton [N.J.])

A family fulfills a mother’s last wish.
(Everett Rehabilitation and Care Center [Wash.])

Employees include a paraplegic patient in their hunting and fishing outings.
(SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation for Glenville [W.Va.])

A facility celebrates history with their community.
(SunBridge Estrella Care Center [Avondale, Ariz.])

Facility staff stretch beyond their typical patients to
care for a badly injured teen.
(SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation for Gardendale [Ala.])

A colleague becomes a patient as friends become family.
(Mediplex Rehabilitation Hospital-Bristol [New Bedford, Mass.])

A facility pulls together to take care of residents
during a three-day ice storm.
(SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation for Asheboro [N.C.])

       This year’s stories demonstrate the closeness among staff, residents and families that goes beyond the job. “We take care of our patients the way we would want to take care of our own families,” said Joan Therriault, RN, BSN, director of nursing services from Mediplex-Bristol. Often, our residents are also our friends, neighbors and relatives. For instance, a favorite elementary school teacher is now a beloved patient at SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation for Raton (N.M.). Grateful former patients volunteer at Circleville, Ohio; Dunbar, W. Va.; Pine Lodge, W. Va.; and Bear Creek, Colo. And occasionally, volunteers become patients, as at SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation - Shoals (Ala.).

      Our caring concern extends to our coworkers as well. Employees are eager to help when their colleagues need extra support, like at Golden Age Nursing Center (Clovis, N.M.) and Peabody Glen Nursing Center (Peabody, Mass.).

      In many ways, we are extended families that often reach deep into our communities and back again. At Coronado Care Center (Phoenix, Ariz.), the local Boy Scout troop brought computers and the Internet to residents. San Leandro (Calif.) residents give back to their community by making sandwiches to serve at a local homeless shelter every week. SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation for Weed (Calif.) offered their grounds for the annual community Easter egg hunt.

      Many stories portrayed joyful celebrations and special events. Two residents were married at SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation for Lowell (Mass.), while “Sweathearts” at SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation for Humble (Texas) celebrated their 64th anniversary. At SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation for Portsmouth (N.H.), residents enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres during a weekly “spa.” SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation for McCall (Idaho) residents baked their way to honors at the state fair.

      It is clear from the many stories of hard work, determination, caring and skill that SunBridge staff are devoted to their patients and residents and are dedicated to providing quality care. Administrator Diana Crickard, NHA, from SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation for Glenville (W.Va.) said, “It’s not just passing medications and washing dirty linens ... It’s caring for others and helping them make the most of each day.”