Employee of the Month

Describe your family: I’m a widow of the late, Charles Lucas. I have a son, Mario & daughter, Angela. 

Describe yourself in five words: Caring, devoted, friendly, honest and smart. 

What do you do for fun: I play cards, listen to music and play with my two great grandsons. 

Do you have any hobbies: I love to cook and write receipts. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: Being able to exemplify my good works to the wonderful people I serve.

What is Your favorite food: Bar-be-que.

What is your favorite song: God Is My Everything. 

What is something you are proud of: The impact I’ve been blessed to have with young people.

What would you like people to know about you: I’m a God-fearing woman & I strive to be the best.

Ms. Gloria is an outstanding example of a caring and dedicated person. She knows what her residents preferences are and goes the extra mile to make sure that everybody gets what they like. Ms. Gloria goes above and beyond for our residents and fellow employees, and I am honored to be her manager. 

– Mark Simpson, Director of Culinary Services

Describe your family: 4 boys and a girl. One son just graduated & will study Radiology at Southwest. 

Describe yourself in five words: Affectionate, friendly, gentle, compassionate and gracious. 

What do you do for fun: Travel, sew, decorate and I love board games and playing cards. 

Do you have any hobbies: I love to cook and shop. I enjoy dressing people up. I’m big on fashion. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: Making residents smile. Caring for them gives me a purpose.

What is Your favorite food: Steak & Shrimp.

What is your favorite song: So Amazing by Luther Vandross. 

Do you have any pets: 2 Shih Tzus.

What is something you are proud of: My children. They are helpful, respectful and kind.

What would you like people to know about you: Love my coworkers. Finishing Real Estate School.

As a dedicated employee, her flexibility is unmatched. A few words you will never hear mustered from Tamekia is, “that’s not my job!” Whenever and wherever she is asked to pitch in and assist, Tamekia is there! You can find her offering stellar care to our residents, and in-between-time, assisting with securing and stocking supplies on all units. She is dependable and a true asset to Kirby Pines.

– Rhonda Nelson, Director of Nursing

Describe your family: Loving, caring, goofy and fun.  

Describe yourself in five words: Loyal, caring, supportive, creative and hard-working.  

What do you do for fun: Walking in the park, going to a restaurant, swimming, the arcade. 

Do you have any hobbies: Singing. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: Helping others. 

What is Your favorite food: Pasta and Nachos.

What is your favorite song: Smile by Kirk Franklin. 

What is something you are proud of: Knowing I can brighten up someone’s day. 

What would you like people to know about you: I’m easy to get along with and love to listen. 

“Vicki helps several of our residents on a daily basis. As soon as she gets to work, she is running from apartment to apartment.If we get a last minute call, regardless of what she’s doing, she jumps into action. She always finds the positive in every situation and has a great attitude. She is truly a team player and I am so grateful to have her in Caring In Place”. 

– Tania Fuqua, Director, Caring In Place 

Describe your family: Small, funny, most definitely dysfunctional but loving, “Sorry” LOL. 

Describe yourself in five words: Determined, generous, honest, respectful and empathetic. 

What do you do for fun: Playing with my grandson, Jayden, in the yard. 

Do you have any hobbies: Planning weddings, baby showers, parties and doing the decor. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: The caring residents and Chris Palmer is the funniest person at Kirby. 

What is Your favorite food: Lasagna. 

What is your favorite song: Holding Back the Years by Angie Stone. 

What is something you are proud of: Getting into the medical field. 

What would you like people to know about you: I’m a loving & happy person – come say hello! 

Jimieka is a dedicated employee and always makes the extra effort to ensure our Residents have what they need. Whether checking vital signs, administering TB tests, facilitating lab draws on Wednesday AM, scheduling appointments, re-scheduling appointments or re-re-scheduling appointments, she does whatever is asked (often before it is asked) with a smile and compassion. It takes a special person to do what she does and maintain a great attitude-especially given her primary co-worker’s personality/presence for 8.5hrs every day-but she does just that.

– Chris Palmer, Clinic Nurse 

Describe your family: Extremely fun and the most important part of each others lives. 

Describe yourself in five words: Kind, patient, energetic, organized and helpful. 

What do you do for fun: I love watching movies. I usually watch a film a day if I can. 

Do you have any hobbies: I have a movie and record collection. Pets: 2 cats; CC and Onyx. 

What is your favorite food: Salmon. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: Meeting new people every day and bringing them to the Kirby family. 

What is Your favorite food: Chicken and Dressing. 

What is your favorite song: Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head – B.J. Thomas. 

What is something you are proud of: Graduating from Ole Miss. 

What would you like people to know about you: If you need help, I am always happy to be there. 

Connors was nominated for his exceptional dedication, his remarkable work ethic, his willingness to help others and his consistent commitment to going above and beyond. Connors truly embodies the values and spirit of Kirby Pines. 

– Trudy Schenkenberger, Director of Human Resources 

Describe your family: Very close, very tight. I am an only child.

Describe yourself in five words: Dependable, generous, adaptable, considerate and passionate.

What do you do for fun: Shopping and cruising (Ships).

Do you have any hobbies: I love planting vegetables.

What is your favorite food: Loaded Baked Potato Soup. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: I enjoy helping others.

What is Your favorite food: Chicken and Dressing. 

What is your favorite song: You Know My Name by Tasha Cobbs. 

What is something you are proud of: Proud of raising three beautiful children.

What would you like people to know about you: I am still my Mama’s baby.

Tamika Washington has been a Security Guard for Kirby Pines since August 2022. She has always been a stalwart on the Security Team, but on January 2nd, while performing her duties at the Main Gate, she observed a panel truck, with three (3) individuals attempting to steal the ATM Machine at Regents Bank. Tamika called 911! MPD arrived stopping the theft and apprehended the thieves. Thank you, Tamika!!

– Michael J. Brown, Executive Director

Describe your family: Loud and sarcastic, but very loving.

Describe yourself in five words: Determined, resilient, witty, adaptable and big-hearted.

What do you do for fun: Read, listen to music & play games.

Do you have any pets?: 3 cats & a dog named Henry.

Do you have any hobbies: Writing & learning to cook new things. 

What is your favorite food: Loaded Baked Potato Soup. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: Having residents who love me as much as I love them. 

What is your favorite song: Agnes Water by Jamie Rose. 

What is something you are proud of: The friends I’ve made and challenges I’ve overcome. 

What would you like people to know about you: I’m a terrible singer, but that doesn’t stop me. 

Rachel is hard working and dedicated. She makes sure things are communicated properly between departments to make sure things run smoothly. She is the perfect team player and a budding leader. Rachel has stepped up to the plate in both Independent Living and Assisted Living while we search for a permanent Activities Director. She is willing to help with anything and is also extremely kind. 

– Skye Sanders, Dining Room Manager 

Describe your family: Close and sharing.

Describe yourself in five words: Determined, open-minded, trustworthy, patient and kind.

What do you do for fun: Vintage shopping. 

Do you have any pets?: A 7 year old white shepherd named, Samson.

Do you have any hobbies: Quilting and crafting. 

What is your favorite food: Fish.

What is your favorite thing about your job: Satisfaction in helping people.

What is your favorite song: Walking by Mary Mary.

What is something you are proud of: Becoming a nurse.

What would you like people to know about you: I have a twin and have been married 37 years.

Charlene Jones is the strength on the 11-7 shift. When there is a staffing issue, she takes the leading role and makes adjustments that are in the best interest of the residents. She is consistently part of the solution to voiced concerns. She has often stayed over, just to make sure our residents were taken care of. We are proud to have her on our team.

– Rhonda Nelson, Director of Nursing

Describe your family: We enjoy the small things in life, like a simple movie night.

Describe yourself in five words: Ambitious, sincere, confident, spontaneous and passionate.

What do you do for fun: I enjoy cooking, video games, photography and technology.

Do you have any hobbies: I collect Pops and play sports.

What is your favorite thing about your job: One of my favorite things is helping others. 

What is your favorite food: Seafood.

What is your favorite song: Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton.

Do you have any pets?: I have a dog named Almow. 

What is something you are proud of: Starting my production company.

What would you like people to know about you: I live life to the fullest and love meeting new people.

Caleb Petty is a respectful security officer at Kirby Pines. While performing his outside rounds Caleb observed a man and woman (who had fallen into Lake Latimer). Caleb quickly jumped into the lake and rescued them, including her wheelcair. When the paramedics arrived Officer Petty had pulled both residents safely out of the water. 

– Calvin Sims, Director of Security 

Describe your family: Caring and loving.

Describe yourself in five words: Helpful, responsive, caring, loving and friendly. 

What do you do for fun: I like to fish.

Do you have any hobbies: My favorite hobby is cooking on the grill. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: Giving good customer service. 

What is your favorite food: BBQ and sauces.

What is your favorite song: Hotel California by the Eagles. 

What is something you are proud of: Being a dad.

What would you like people to know about you: I would help out anyone.

Jose always does his job with a smile. He never says no and is willing to stay back to help his teammates even though he has a family at home waiting for him. He has a great work ethic and is extremely hard working. He is very team oriented and takes pride in wearing his uniform. We are proud to have him in our department. 

– Chuck Neeley, Director of Maintenance