Serving our aging communities comes with many rewarding moments. Whether through a long-term care facility, home health, or a hospital setting the opportunity can bring positive moments for everyone involved. Mindy Farsdale, LPN is the nurse manager at Adult Day Services in Sioux Falls – she not only enhances the quality of life for those who she interacts with every day but for all generations through programs, services, and education. That is why SDAHO has chosen Mindy Farsdale to be this week’s Healthcare Hero. SDAHO’s Healthcare Hero Campaign is designed to recognize and celebrate healthcare professionals across the state.
Mindy has worked in healthcare for the past 22 years. Mindy says her favorite part about being a nurse is knowing that she helped someone. “I help them have a good day, or I make them smile.” Growing up Mindy enjoyed hearing stories that her aunt would share about her own nursing career. “I knew that is what I wanted to do when I grew up. I have always enjoyed helping people and making people happy and seeing them smile.” Mindy is thankful for the many nurses that mentored and inspired her. Mindy has been with the Adult Day Services Program at Active Generations for the past nine years. Healthcare continues to have deep roots in Mindy’s family as her son just passed his boards to be an LPN and her daughter is attending college to become a surgical technician.
Mindy is originally from Minnesota, where she grew up on a farm. Her first nursing job out of college was working at a hospital in Omaha NE on the medical and surgical floor. Shortly after beginning her nursing career Mindy and her husband wanted to move closer to home, so they moved to Sioux Falls where she worked at a nursing home for 11 years. “This is where I found my true passion of caring for the elderly.” Mindy knows she is not only helping those who attend Adult Day Services, but she is helping their caregivers’ also. “The most rewarding thing about my job is knowing that caring for my patients here at Adult Day Services allows caregivers to keep their loved one’s home with them longer.” Those who work alongside Mindy say she is reliable and is always in a good mood, never complains and constantly works hard to ensure the comfort and safety of the participants. “Our mission is to promote positive aging for adults and to enhance the quality of life for all generations. Mindy encompasses this mission wholeheartedly day in and day out.” – Becca Pound, Active Generations, Sioux Falls
COVID-19 greatly impacted those who attend Adult Day Services and how Mindy cared for the patients. Even so, Mindy said it was important to continue to serve participants while keeping them safe. “With the amazing teamwork here at Adult Day Services, we make each day a great day and teamwork was everything. COVID definitely made things less personable, but it made me realize how much a smile can mean to someone and how much we need physical touch such as a hug or a simple handshake.” Mindy’s teammates recognize her hard work ethic and effort each day. “She works on the floor when we are short staffed or even when she sees an extra hand would be appreciated. She always goes above and beyond, often being the one who gets a very late lunch break. Our families love and trust her.” – Becca Pound, Active Generations, Sioux Falls
When asked how she feels about being called a healthcare hero, Mindy says she is honored, but its everyone on the team that deserves to be called heroes. “Healthcare is hard work and teamwork; we get through everything together. That Is why I am truly blessed to have my job at Active Generations with the Adult Day Services Program. I love what I do.”
Mindy congratulations on being nominated and selected as a SDAHO healthcare hero and thank you for all you do!
If you know someone that is a healthcare hero and would like to nominate them, visit us online and nominate them today. https://sdaho.org/heroes/
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