Who We Are

Shining a light on an individual or a group significantly impacting life at Lutheran Care Center. 

 

Spotlight on

Melissa Cassuci-Christensen, RN Staff Educator

The Lutheran Care Center staff is the heart of who we are, and you will frequently hear them say, “Care is our middle name.”   It’s our staff who lives that motto, and  there’s no better example than Melissa Cassuci-Christensen.   Melissa embraced skilled nursing as a career, beginning at LCC as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) in 2009.  Two years later she was certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse  (LPN) and worked as a staff nurse until 2017.

The birth of her second child prompted her to step back and explore life as a stay-at-home mom. Melissa eventually decided, “that was not for me.  I’m too much of a Go-Go-Go-person.”  She used her boundless energy to pursue studies toward an RN degree and returned to LCC as Staff Educator in 2022. Having recently passed her licensing exams, she is now fully invested in bringing the latest educational in-service training to the LCC staff.

For instance, Melissa keeps the nursing staff current on our hospice partnerships, quality of life pursuits, trauma-informed care, infection control, and identification of pain in our cognitively impaired residents, including options for non-pharmacological interventions for management of that pain.

Ongoing education is provided across all disciplines, supporting our almost 200 employees.  Dietary staff receives training on the preparation of diabetic, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets for residents with specialized needs.   The Environmental Services staff is kept current on the most effective environmental cleaning and disinfection products and methods for infection control and covid protocols to promote better resident outcomes.

Our Resident Care Assistants (RCAs), a recently re-instituted position, support the work of the licensed nurses and CNAs on each unit by providing extra sets of eyes and hands.  Their assignments include making beds, transporting residents to activities, filling water pitchers, and most importantly, observing for and redirecting “restless” residents.   Perhaps most beneficial is the extra time they take to interact with residents with a big smile, a chat and a snack, or to assist them with a special request.

Growing Strong Roots is an innovative program Melissa developed to identify our “seasoned” CNAs and provide them with specific skills to mentor our new CNAs.  Mentors proudly sport attractive jackets identifying them as a resource for their new colleagues in need of some additional support, ensuring a smooth transition to LCC life.

Melissa is quick to credit Quality of Life Specialist, Barbara Speedling, for encouraging staff to think differently by focusing on how residents actually feel.  She asks the question, “How would I feel if I lived here, slept in that bed, used that bathroom?” It’s a different perspective. Our residents aren’t just a name…they are  valued human beings.”

Following her parental leave, Melissa had many options, so why did she return?  “LCC has always been my family away from family.  When I worked directly with the residents, it was only natural to become attached to them and their families.  I’ll always value my CNA roots where I was able to take some extra time to curl a resident’s hair or polish their nails so they would feel special on Mother’s Day, particularly when their loved one couldn’t be here to do it.”

Melissa clearly has a heart for residents and a desire to empower staff in ways that will allow our residents to live the best life they can while calling Lutheran Care Center home.    For that, we are unceasingly grateful!

Pat Ludington, LCC Administrator shared, “the staff trusts her and her expertise.   She has an excellent communication style and rapport with staff and is highly motivated and dedicated.  She is flexible in whatever our needs are, including serving as a staff supervisor.  Melissa is definitely an asset here!”

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