Passion is where the heart is

Staffing Coordinator Kimberle Wey possesses a heart for helping others, and has worked in the health care field for over two decades. After earning her CNA license, she started out as a full-time CNA at a senior care center, but eventually switched gears to the home health care industry.

However, she found her way back to the world of care centers, and spent her days providing technical support for patients. After that, she returned to school in pursuit of her LPN license. After becoming an LPN, she worked in a nursing home for seven years, and then went back to school to learn the art of massage therapy, which she still practices part-time at the massage parlor she maintains.

Throughout her education and career journey, she had two daughters, and briefly put her work on hold to raise them.

Ultimately, Wey found a home for her passion to truly thrive at Lakeside Oaks Care Center in Dunedin, Florida, where she has been assisting and caring for her residents and coworkers for eight years now.

She said, “I could do 50 million other things in the world, but this is where my heart is. My heart is in this building.”

“My passion is working with the elderly population to make their life as enjoyable as it can be.” After her foray in technical support, Wey said, “I was brought back to my roots, and that was the hands-on with the patients. I love to put a smile on the faces of the patients I take care of. Sometimes it may be dancing with the patients, or bringing in their favorite food.”

High-quality care for her residents is her number one priority, but looking out for her team falls in a close second. Wey enjoys the atmosphere at Lakeside Oaks, and described the care center as “smaller scale and more like a family.” She explained: “We have a bond here. When one isn’t feeling the greatest, the rest of us pitch in. . . We work as a team here at Lakeside Oaks Care Center from the management to the nursing staff. I would not change where I work because I love the staff here. It’s a wonderful team to work for. . . and that makes my job easier. It’s a family atmosphere. We all pull together when we need to. I always look to my peers for inspiration to always do better. . .We all ride the roller coaster through the good and the bad.”

Of her current role as Staffing Coordinator, Wey said, “This has had its challenges and rewards all at the same time.” She tells herself: “Don’t let the work do you—you do the work.”

Wey emphasized the importance of core values honesty and compassion. She believes that honesty ties in with respect, and said that, “compassion makes the day brighter.” In addition to these values, it’s clear to see that Wey fosters passion for the life-giving work she provides for residents.

Kristine Kikta, of MR/CS at Lakeside Oaks emphasized that: “Kim always goes out of her way to help everyone.” Listening to the passion and love Wey possesses for her residents, such a statement makes crystal-clear sense.

Wey’s plans for the future involve continuing the great work she invests in at Lakeside Oaks—continuing to coordinate staffing, transport residents to and from doctors’ appointments, and assist on the floor. She said, “I think this is going to be my resting spot. I’ve had other job offers, but I can’t let it go. When you have that feeling, you know you’re in the right place.”