Joyce Marble, a 21-year veteran nursing assistant, recently traveled to Sioux Falls, S.D., to receive the Mark Jerstad Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year Award given by David J. Horazdovsky, President and CEO of The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society.
Marble, a staff member at Good Samaritan Society — International Falls, was chosen to receive the award May 7 from among the 7,000 CNAs who work at the Good Samaritan Society’s more than 240 locations nationwide.
Co-workers and residents said Marble deserves the award because of her dedication to the needs of the center’s residents, her work ethic and her natural ability as a caregiver.
“The residents have nothing but nice things to say about Joyce,” says Shawn Shofner, marketing and resource development director at Good Samaritan Society — International Falls. “Residents are quick to give Joyce kudos. They appreciate her kindness and love her sense of humor. I think every one of us, whether it’s a resident or co-worker, believes Joyce has a great gift, and we’re so grateful she’s here.”
Marble has rheumatoid arthritis, which can make working difficult for her, but it doesn’t stop her from taking care of others. Besides caring for residents at work, Marble has helped care for family members with illnesses at her home. Marble says caring for others is her calling.
“I just like learning from residents and what they’ve gone through in life — their experiences, how they grew up, their past history,” she says.