OHCA The Oregon Caregiver Fall/Winter 2019

The Oregon Caregiver FALL/WINTER 2019 www.ohca.com 20 PROFILE LEADER Melissa Farias Virrueta is a CNA at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon and the recipient of the 2019 OHCA Caregiver of the Year Award. In this article, Melissa and her managers Janine De Paz and Jeffrey McKay, talk about Melissa’s experiences with residents and the passion she brings to caregiving. What inspired you to nominate Melissa for the Caregiver of the Year Award? Janine, Social Services Designee, Oregon Veterans’ Home Lebanon: I nominated Melissa for the OHCA Caregiver of the Year award because she does a lot for our veterans here as well as their families. We have what we call Walk of Honor, which happens when someone passes away. Melissa will come in on her own time and attend the memorials, both to honor the residents and their families. We had one resident that passed away and his funeral was in Portland. Melissa was the only one from our community who was able to go up, and it meant a lot to the resident’s daughter for Melissa to be there representing us. She also just connects with every veteran that comes in. If we get diffi- cult veterans, she doesn’t question why they are here, she just makes it a positive experience for them. Jeffrey, Nurse Manager, Oregon Veterans’ Home Lebanon: Melissa is everyone’s favorite on the f loor. She’s got a few rivals out there, but we have a lot of veterans here who just want Melissa to help them. I’ve had Veterans throw a fit when Melissa takes time off, because they only want Melissa to do their showers and help them with other ADLs. She does everything not neces- sarily the fastest way or the best way but their way. And their way really is the best way. She is an amazing young lady. In her four years here, she always comes to work on time every time. She leads this team not by directing them but by example. She does everything so well and works so hard. She puts all her energy into her work and her co-workers can’t help but try to keep up. That’s how she leads. How long have you been at the Veterans’ Home? Melissa: I have been here a little over four years. I really enjoy working here. I love working with my bosses, the veterans, and my co-workers. I had wanted to go to nursing school so that I’d be able to help people and care for the people that really needed me, so I started by taking a CNA class. I knew it would help me in the future. While I took the class, I found that I really enjoy CNA work. Helping residents with their ADLs is very fulfilling. It makes residents feel happy with themselves, and I really enjoy helping them and seeing those happy faces. Is there an experience that sticks out to you as the most memorable? Melissa: There are a few of them and they are still happening. When the veterans and their families show appreciation and when I hear that appreciation it is pretty amazing. They say, “I’m glad you’re here,” and it is very meaningful. It makes me feel happy and complete as a person. Melissa Farias Virrueta, CNA Oregon Veterans’ Home, Lebanon