SALLY KIOSKI made history this November by winning the first-ever Health Care Association of Michigan (HCAM) Resident of the Year award. Sally, a resident at the Durand Senior Care & Rehab Center, received her award – a personalized glass trophy and a $200 gift card – during the annual HCAM awards and recognition ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 6 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.
Sally was nominated for the award by a group of Durand Senior Care & Rehab staff and residents, who described Sally as “the best Resident Council President ever!!”
The submission went on to explain that Sally “has been our Resident Council President for several years now. Sally always makes time for others. She will speak with other residents and staff about any concerns and questions received and do follow up with others. She is involved in dining council and Mugs, Muffins and More. She delivers newspapers daily and regularly passes out treats to fellow residents. She also directs a senior activity in the evenings. Sally makes everyone a part of her family, and she is part of ours. Once you meet Sally, you will never forget her.”
One staff member shared, “Sally is an active participant in the daily running of the facility, always advocating for the residents we serve. She has been instrumental in the resident-staff relationship and communication between the two groups.”
Sally also regularly circulates and passes out cards for special occasions, she heads a monthly trivia group called “Trivia with Sally” and she recently initiated a bottle and can drive to raise money to send supplies to troops serving oversees.
By all accounts, Sally has enriched the lives of everyone at the Durand Senior Care & Rehab Center during her six years as a resident. Despite that, Sally did not at all expect to be named Resident of the Year.
“I certainly did not expect this, and I was humbled to learn that I had been selected for this award,” shared Sally, who is a mother of three and a graduate of Ovid High School. “I like to be busy. I like to help. Doing everything I do gives me a purpose. We are like a family here, and since some people don’t have family who come and visit regularly, I always try to just give a resident a smile or make someone’s day better with a word of encouragement.”
Sally was informed of her selection prior to the awards ceremony in Grand Rapids, so she was able to craft an acceptance speech, which she read in front of approximately 640 people on what she called “a day to remember.” Upon returning home, Sally was surprised again; this time with a recognition luncheon that was attended by more than 100 members of her adopted Durand Senior Care & Rehab Center family.
(Independent Photo/Graham Sturgeon)
