A celebration of 'family' among Geer staff

NORTH CANAAN — They were royalty for a day, or at least for breakfast. Geer employees who had been on the job for at least 20 years were honored Jan. 23 with a sumptuous meal. Tables were pushed together to span nearly the length of the Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center dining room to accommodate a remarkable 33 people.

The finest linens were brought out. Administrator John Horstman manned an omelet station, keeping three pans going at once as he cheerfully prepared custom egg creations.

“About 15 percent,� he said, when asked what portion of the work force has reached that impressive number.

Industry-wide, it’s obvious the facility compares very favorably. He explained that the recognition goes to nursing home and rehabilitation staff, but that there is some overlap with two other entities on the Geer campus: the adult day center and Geer Village. Some of those employees started at the nursing home. They represent all aspects of service, including nursing, indirect care, physical therapy, maintenance and administrative services.

“I worked in some city nursing homes and there were places where the turnover for employees was easily 150 percent in a year,� Horstman said.

So what sets Geer apart?

“I think it’s a great place to work. I know it’s a great place to work,� Horstman said, adding chunks of ham to a pan. “It’s a family. The staff knows the people who come here. Their kids were their babysitters, and that kind of thing.�

Staff members said they are treated well, and not just at the annual breakfast. They say they look forward to coming to work. They echoed Horstman’s thoughts on family.

“It’s hard. You get attached. Even when you don’t already know someone, it’s a small place and everyone becomes like family,� said Judy Thompson, a 21-year veteran of the nursing staff. “But you keep doing it because that’s what you’re here for. We get to make a difference at the end of someone’s life.�

Family applies in other ways. Helen Hester has been around for 36 years. At an age when most people are well into retirement, she continues to work the overnight shift. She is most proud that her two daughters work there as well.

“I guess you could say I’ve been here all my life,� Hester said. “I was born in the old Geer Hospital.�

Daughter Patty Tatsapaugh is going into her 30th year. She started at the age of 15 providing indirect patient care. She is now the outpatient physical therapy secretary.

They shared a laugh with others at the end of the table, including Marilyn Miller, with 23 years, and Ellen Carozza, 34 years.

“We joke that we’re never going to leave,� Thompson said. “One day, at the end of a shift, we’re going to just crawl into a bed here, and that will be it. And that’s fine by all of us.�