“My reaction was tears...I cried,” GSS-Fontanelle CNA Denise Huddleson said. “The head honchos were on the computer to tell me. All of our department heads were in that meeting. I was just very shocked. I was happy, but I had tears too.”
Huddleson began with Good Samaritan Society June 30, 1989, which made last Thursday her 33rd anniversary working at the facility. She is the Fontanelle location’s longest-tenured employee and has been a certified nursing assistant (CNA) since the beginning of her career.
“There are thousands of caregivers we have across the United States, so for one of our own here in Fontanelle to be recognized as Caregiver of the Year, it’s big in and of itself,” administrator BJ Baskerville said. “I’ve enjoyed working with Denise. Her story is a unique one for healthcare because she’s been working in the same position for 33 years in this community. It’s a testimony to her loyalty and commitment to this community and the residents here. It’s a great award and I’m very thankful for her and the years of service she’s given in this building.”