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By Matt Holsen
Courtesy of Sanford Health
Davis gets emotional just thinking about it.
“It was the most heartbreaking, stressful and heartbreaking situation I have ever been in in my long career. Having a coworker like Jenna who steps on the plate and really says, ‘I come to help’ meant so much to me, meant so much to our residents and our staff at the Albert Lea Center, ”says Davis.
Put yourself at risk to take care of those in need.
“Some of these residents had no one to look after them. They were sick. They died, ”says Crooks. “I really feel that God has called me to do this.”
National master in the nursing service
If you don’t factor in the mythical beast, a unicorn is also defined as “something very desirable but difficult to find or get”. You could say Crooks is a unicorn.
“Amazing employee. I wish we could have a lot of people like her, ”says Davis. “I would say she lives the company’s mission on a daily basis, not just here at Comforcare, but also in all of the other centers that she has participated in on the COVID-19 response team.”
All of Crooks’ efforts to travel and stay in hotels outside of her family are recognized by society. Jenna is the National Ever Forward Director of Nursing Services Champion.
Clara Palm, an administrator in training, nominated Crooks for the award.
“She came to Howard Lake. We had an outbreak there. She came in and had been to other centers that had outbreaks. It was just that salvation, ”says Palm. “After I met her, I thought, ‘This person is very special.'”
‘Never about doing one against the other’
Crooks has been on the COVID-19 frontline in more than 10 locations.
“She inspires other people to do the work of Christ by caring for them and never standing over one against the other,” says Palm.
Not only does she bring expertise in infection control, she also wears protective equipment and serves on the floor.
“I think Jenna is a good representative of the Good Samaritan Society because she knows her calling is to help older adults. She knows that her calling is to help those in need. She knows what is priority and what is not, and she blesses everyone with her presence, ”says Palm.
Stay safe in COVID-19 units
Regular operation in COVID-19 units can be scary.
“I’ve seen residents who are really sick. I’ve seen residents with no symptoms at all. It’s a crazy virus, ”says Crooks. “My biggest fear was getting COVID and bringing it back to my facility.”
As living proof that PPE and proper hygiene work, Crooks has never tested positive for COVID-19.
“I’ve never washed my hands so often in my life. My hands were sore and bleeding. I actually had pressure sores on my face from wearing my N95. I was very careful because I didn’t want to bring it back to my home or facility, ”says Crooks.
She has undergone countless COVID-19 tests to make sure this doesn’t happen.
At the Crooks site in Austin, the resident test was not positive during the pandemic. She praises her staff and their hard work to keep residents safe.
“This is a great place to work. I enjoy coming to work. There’s not a day I’m scared of coming to work, ”says Crooks.
“As if you’ve known her all your life”
Rick Knutson says it’s showing. His father has lived here for two years and has Parkinson’s and dementia.
“Your personality is so lively. It’s like you’ve known her all your life. She’s just so helpful and kind, ”says Knutson.
That boils down to the staff. Knutson says he has great faith that his father will be taken care of when he cannot be around.
“I’m grateful. You’d better believe it’s me,” says Knutson. “You can see from the nursing staff and how well they have been trained by Jenna. If I were a nurse, I’d love to work for her too.”
All jokes aside, he has a heartfelt message to share with all of society’s health heroes.
“Thank you for your hard work over the past year. You and all of the nurses and all of the healthcare workers here, you did a damn good job. Thank you for everything you do for our family and thank you for everything you do for all of the residents here at Good Samaritan, ”said Knutson.
Security in society
Thanks to the COVID-19 vaccines and safety measures, Crooks’ itinerary for outbreaks is pretty blank these days. However, she is now being asked to fly to other locations to share her long-term care expertise.
“I love being a nurse. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, ”says Crooks.
It’s something she likes to do.
“I love the elderly. I love getting to know the residents, their families and hearing their stories, ”says Crooks.
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