Health care heroes: Helping a nursing home

When a Sheboygan County nursing home experienced an outbreak of COVID-19, the Wisconsin National Guard was called in to test the staff and more than 90 residents.

Results showed that 10 people were positive for the coronavirus and at least 30 staff members had to quarantine at home – leaving the nursing home without enough clinical staff to care for their residents. A call went out to local health care agencies asking for help, and Aurora Health Care was uniquely prepared to step up in a significant way.

“We had an overwhelming response from team members who wanted to help,” said Pam Gamb, Director of Human Resources at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center. “Our organization was in a position to provide the needed clinical support for the nursing home.”

Amber Willis, a registered nurse, was one of the first team members to step up. Amber usually works at the Aurora Surgery Center in Plymouth, but due to the suspension of elective surgeries under this current health crisis, she was available.

“I was furloughed from my normal position when this urgent need arose and I had worked at this nursing home years ago when I first became an RN,” said Amber. “For these reasons, it was an easy decision to make. It just felt like the right thing to do for the residents, the staff, and my community.”

Just like starting any new job, Amber and her fellow Aurora team members were presented with their share of challenges in this new environment. However, the nursing home residents and staff were gracious and welcoming to the team.

Amber said the experience wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her colleagues, as well as the leadership team at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center. “They’ve all been unbelievably supportive throughout this experience and I really don’t know if I could have pushed through the first couple days without them,” said Amber.

“We have always had a deep commitment to this community and to serving the residents who live here,” said Dave Graebner, President of Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center. “We are grateful to our dedicated team members who selflessly offered to help.”

Aurora team members are expected to provide support over the week while nursing home staff completes self-isolation.

In the photo: Aurora Sheboygan team members to the rescue! Clinical team members stepped up to provide care at Sheboygan County nursing home during COVID-19 outbreak. Pictured Left to Right: Maranda LaFreneir – LPN, Tiffany Dolan – RN, Amber Willis – RN, Katherine Swedberg – CNA Not pictured: Tabitha Lane – LPN, Jessica O’Keefe – RN.

Read about more health care heroes here.