It’s hard to find anyone as faithful to her community as Melissa McCorquodale. She’s an administrator at Good Samaritan Society assisted living locations in Luverne and Pipestone, Minnesota.
Melissa's mission is “providing the best quality care that we can and not just quality care but resident experience. Whether it’s food, activities, wellness.”
A member of 13 local boards, Melissa is well-known to area residents for her leadership. After 13 years with the Society, she's built many meaningful relationships.
“Wonderful to have her here. I don’t know what we’d do without Melissa,” says Joan Chesley, a resident at Poplar Creek Estates in Luverne.
It’s a common phrase around here.
Future Leaders Program
It’s also why she’s been selected to represent the state in a national Future Leaders Program through the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living.
“I’m very grateful to be a part of it. I felt very honored to be chosen and selected and to be brought into the program. It’s always been something that I’ve wanted to do and have known others who have went through it,” Melissa says.
The program starts with a symposium out in Washington, D.C.
“I liked going out to D.C. to be able to represent two small rural communities,” Melissa says about the first gathering in September.
“We get to meet members of Congress, go to Capitol Hill and have some really intense training on leadership. Just a fun opportunity," Melissa says. "First time being there and it was great."
Her training, with long-term care professionals from across the country, continues quarterly until a graduation next October.
'Advocate for residents and staff'
Melissa says her goal is “to be better. To really just be great at what I do and measuring that through being able to advocate for residents and staff and families."
“It’s great to be a part of something that’s working for the greater good for all of us. Advocating not only for residents but staff as well and having a good position in the health care industry to be able to do that."
It’s an industry she grew up in, working in dietary and as a CNA alongside family members at the Society in Pipestone.
“My grandma was a dietary manager. My mom was a restorative therapy aide and then my twin sister was an HR director for a while,” Melissa says.
All providing high quality, resident-centered care.
Living at Poplar Creek Estates the past three years, Joan sees it all firsthand.
“(I love) the people and the staff and the food. The food is so good,” Joan says.
