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Jun 14, 2013

In a June 11 article titled "Good Samaritan Society adapts model" published on siouxfallsbusinessjournal.argusleader.com, Larry Minnix, president and CEO of the nonprofit LeadingAge, and others talk about how the Good Samaritan Society has become an industry leader through a combination of values and vision.

Minnix is quoted saying, “I’m a fan. For a long time they were known as a large nonprofit nursing home organization, but they’ve grown far beyond that image now.”

Click here to read the article at siouxfallsbusinessjournal.argusleader.com.

May 28, 2013

Jacci Nickell, vice president, Development and Operation Delivery Systems, and Sherrie Petersen, LivingWell@Home director, each received the Patriot Award on Thursday, May 23, at the Good Samaritan Society's National Campus in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the U.S. Department of Defense, offers the award for supervisors who support employees serving in the National Guard or Reserve. Support can include flexible scheduling, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence. 

Don Kelpin, chair emeritus and volunteer with the South Dakota committee for ESGR, presented the awards.

Right: LivingWell@Home Manager Nilo Meyer (left) nominated Sherrie Petersen, LivingWell@Home director (second from left), and Jacci Nickell, vice president, Development and Operation Delivery Systems, for Patriot Awards. The awards were presented by Don Kelpin, chair emeritus with the South Dakota committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, to Petersen and Nickell on
May 23.

Nickell and Petersen were nominated by Nilo Meyer, LivingWell@Home manager. Meyer recently returned to work at the National Campus after spending three months on military leave, participating in training at Patrick Air Force Base near Cocoa Beach, Fla. The training concentrated on equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity and mediation for civilian and military workplaces.

“I can bring those skills back to GSS and be a better manager,” Meyer said.

When Meyer began working at the Good Samaritan Society in April 2012, Nickell was her direct supervisor. Now, it’s Petersen.

“I wanted to show my appreciation for both Sherrie and Jacci and the support they’ve given me,” Meyer said. “They hired me knowing I was military. I know that sometimes that can put stress on the employer.”

Meyer has been in the military for 15 years. She spent 12 years as a non-commissioned officer in the medical squadron, South Dakota Air National Guard, 114th Fighter Wing, Sioux Falls. Three years ago, she was commissioned as an Equal Opportunity/Equal Employment Opportunity officer with the Air National Guard. Last year, she became director of the Equal Opportunity/Equal Employment Opportunity Office.

It’s a unique role in that Meyer is the only officer in that office. As first lieutenant, Meyer advises the base commander on issues pertaining to protected categories under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and conducts training on various issues including human relations and prevention of sexual harassment.

Click here to learn more about the Patriot Award.

Apr 17, 2013

The Good Samaritan Society is excited to support the FIRST® LEGO® League this year in its quest to find solutions that will benefit seniors.

The mission of FIRST LEGO League is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, inspire innovation, and foster self-confidence, communication and leadership.

Right: FIRST LEGO League Web site

Mar 12, 2013

A group of Good Samaritan Society staff members are on a mission trip in Colombia this week as part of the Society's ongoing work through Project Outreach. Among other activities and projects, they did some painting at the Society-sponsored soup kitchen in Soacha, a small town south of Bogotá, and were invited into seniors' homes in the area. Watch the videos below and hear more about their work, firsthand, from Greg Wilcox, senior pastor and V.P. for Mission Effectiveness, and Jim Reich, senior business analyst consultant.

Watch video: Greg Wilcox provides an update on Monday, March 11.

Watch video: Jim Reich provides an update on Tuesday, March 12.

Click here to learn more about Project Outreach

Jan 23, 2013

A new report gives North Dakota and South Dakota a good ranking when it comes to serious nursing home deficiencies.