Employee of the Month

Describe your family: I have a lovely daughter & granddaughter and my parents are still living.

Describe yourself in five words: Dependable, knowledgable, trustworthy, hardworking & kind. 

What do you do for fun: Travel and have cookouts with family. 

What are some of your hobbies: Collecting cookbooks. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: I love baking different and challenging desserts. 

What is your favorite food: Grilled meats & vegetables. 

What is your favorite song: I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston.

What is something you are proud of: I graduated from culinary school and doing something I love.

What would you like people to know about you: I enjoy helping people if I can.

Rachelle Smith is the consummate team player. She is always willing to do what is necessary to help the Residents out no matter the circumstances. Between the amazing cakes, delicious pies and outstanding work ethic, Rachelle is a pleasure to have on our team. 

– Mark Simpson, Director of Culinary Services

Describe your family: I am the only girl in the middle of four. I have a sweet niece who is fun loving.

Describe yourself in five words: Kind, caring, silly, honest, loving 

What do you do for fun: Playing table top and online games. 

What are some of your hobbies: Journaling & playing flute. 

What is your favorite thing about your job: Meeting different people from all walks of life. 

Do you have any pets: I have 3 cats and 3 dogs. 

What is your favorite food: Queso Dip & Chips. 

What is your favorite song: Mr. Brightside by the Killers. 

What is something you are proud of: Being the first in my family to go to college. 

What would you like people to know about you: If you get me out of my shell, I can make you laugh. 

Rachel is a go getter! She comes in with a positive attitude ready to work every day. She is constantly seeking out feedback from residents to continually improve programming here at Kirby Pines. She goes above and beyond, taking care of all her duties in addition to helping wherever is needed. She does whatever she can to ensure the residents are always receiving the top quality services they deserve. Rachel is such an asset to our Kirby Pines family. 

– Allison Nolan, Resident Programs Director 

Describe your family: Adoring, close-knit, devoted, fierce and loving.

Describe yourself in five words: Persistent, loyal, reliable, kind and helpful.

What do you do for fun: Shop and spend time with family.

What are some of your hobbies: Working is my hobby.

What is your favorite thing about your job: Making sure the residents are safe.

Do you have any pets: I have hogs & dogs. Yorkie, Chow Pom and Pit. Names are Boston, K.J. & Oreo.

What is your favorite food: Yams & Cabbage.

What is your favorite song: Johnnie Taylor – Sending You A Kiss.

What is something you are proud of: I’m proud of the person I have become, thanks to my parents.

What would you like people to know about you: I’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Sophia Tate is a security officer that is loved by the residents at Kirby Pines. She makes everyone feel safe and secure. She will take on other responsibilities because as she states, “It needs to be done”. I am very proud to have Officer Tate on my team.

-Calvin Sims, Director of Security

Describe your family: Very joyful and happy.

Describe yourself in five words: Very kind and love to help others.

What do you do for fun: Go to the movies.

What are some of your hobbies: Making my car look great.

What is your favorite thing about your job: Love to make things look good.

What is your favorite food: Meatloaf.

What is your favorite song: Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday.

What is something you are proud of: My parents.

What would you like people to know about you: I’m very kind.

Willie Knight works extremely hard for a department that stands alone in what they do. He has perfect attendance and always works above and beyond what is expected of him. He has a wonderful work ethic and never complains. We are proud and lucky to have Willie in the Maintenance Department.

– Chuck Neeley, Director of Maintenance

Describe your family: Happy, intelligent, loving and understanding.

Describe yourself in five words: Happy, dedicated, helpful and willing to take on any task.

What do you do for fun: Reading, shopping, spending time with family.

What are some of your hobbies: Playing my flute.

What is your favorite thing about your job: Seeing and taking care of my residents makes me smile.

What is your favorite food: Seafood and Japanese.

What is your favorite song: I love all music.

What is something you are proud of: My kids, all four of them.

What would you like people to know about you: I love life, my family, myself, my job and my faith.

Genese, takes good care of the residents, very caring and dedicated. She is a team player and a hard worker. She takes initiative and always goes the extra mile with a positive attitude. She helps residents wanting to attend special programs in getting them there and also knowing their interests and what is available to them. Thank you Genese for being part of our team!

– Florrie Clark, Assisted Living Supervisor 

Describe your family: My father was a Marine and Vietnam Vet. My mother was a nurse 46 years.

Describe yourself in five words: Dedicated, empathetic, caring, inquisitive, musical.

What do you do for fun: Write & play music and read.

What are some of your hobbies: Collecting & playing guitars.

What is your favorite thing about your job: Learning from the people I take care of.

What is your favorite food: Thai.

What is your favorite song: Sitting On The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding.

What is something you are proud of: I was in 2 bands with record deals, but love helping people.

What would you like people to know about you: I’m always learning and think travel is a gift for all.

Bobby has always been a champion for the residents at Kirby Pines, consistently advocating for the delivery of excellent care and services. While wound care is his specialty, making certain residents are safe, well-nourished and involved in activities is his passion. Throughout his tenure at Kirby, Bobby has been an integral part of the health care team helping to generate a family-like atmosphere among residents and staff. This is a well-deserved honor for a great employee and supporter of what Kirby Pines represents to the community it serves.

– Rhonda Nelson, Director of Nursing

Describe your family: We are quite large and are very close. We do everything together.

Describe yourself in five words: Honest, loyal, dependable, caring and great work ethic.

What do you do for fun: Power walking, reading, movies.

What are some of your hobbies: Cooking & Painting.

What is your favorite thing about your job: Great residents and great coworkers.

What is your favorite food: Ice Cream.

What is your favorite song: Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli.

What is something you are proud of: My caring, hard-working, successful children.

What would you like people to know about you: That I care about everybody as a Christian.

Barbara is a constant, showing up every day for her shift. She is always there to assist the residents and employees. She does it all with a smile and a helpful attitude. Barbara is dedicated and kind. She answers calls, sorts package deliveries and takes residents menu orders. She is truly an asset to Kirby Pines.

– Martha Fitzhugh, Resident Services Coordinator

Describe your family: My family is fun, we like to go bowling together. 

Describe yourself in five words: Happy, nice, respectful, honest and hard working.

What do you do for fun: Movies and video games.

What is your favorite thing about your job: The nice people.

What is your favorite food: Pizza.

What is something you are proud of: My mom raised me right.

What would you like people to know about you: I’m a good guy.

CJ is a model employee. Always with a great attitude, constantly willing to pitch in and help where anything is needed, never a cross word to say. Having CJ in the dietary department makes everybody’s job a little easier, and our day just a bit better.

– Mark Simpson, Director of Culinary Services

Describe your family: Loving, open-hearted, caring and fun to be around.

Describe yourself in five words: Hardworking, funny, laidback type of guy.

What do you do for fun: Watch movies and sleep.

What is your favorite thing about your job: Money and the people I work with each day.

What is your favorite food: Pork Chops.

What is something you are proud of: My daughter.

What would you like people to know about you: I enjoy having fun.

Michael Warren is a valued member of the maintenance team. He is always there to help, and gets the job done in a timely and professional manner. In the years he has been with me I’ve come to respect his expertise and knowledge. We all feel lucky to have him on the team. Way to go Mikey!

– Chuck Neeley, Director of Maintenance

Describe your family: Happy Family.

Describe yourself in five words: Happy.

What do you do for fun: I like to go bowling.

Do you have any hobbies or interests: I enjoy cooking.

What is your favorite thing about your job: Helping take care of residents.

What is your favorite food: Chicken.

What is something you are proud of: God blessing me with health and strength. 

What would you like people to know about you: I want God to keep blessing me each and every day.

Cornelius has dedicated 25 of service years to the residents, staff and guests of Kirby Pines. She can always be counted on to show up get the job done. Cornelius is kind to the residents and her coworkers. Congratulations Cornelius on a job well done. 

– Jada Mullins, Director of Environmental Services