 |
| Summit photo by Mary Loden
The new administrator for Good Samaritan Society - Forest City, Ashley Clark, left, stands beside the outgoing administrator, Larry Eickhoff, as she greeted well-wishers after her installation ceremony last week. |
New administrator installed at Good Sam
Sixth administrator in 35 years
By Mary Loden
Of The Summit
After 14 years with the Good Samaritan Society in Forest City Administrator Larry Eickhoff said his official goodbyes and welcomed the new administrator, Ashley Clark, with open arms duering her installation ceremony last Thursday.
“Good Sam is first and foremost a Christian organization,” said Alan Hieb, Regional Director of the Good Samaritan Society, “I feel Larry embodies that. If God were here He would say, ‘Well done good and faithful servant.'”
However, the day was all about a welcome, not a goodbye. After the official words of installation Hieb announced that Clark is only the sixth administrator since Good Sam was founded in Forest City 35 years ago.
“Ashley comes from Spencer, she graduated from ISU and has had the opportunity to train and learn at other centers in Indianola and Estherville and she interimed at Hot Springs, Ark. I had to fight to get her back to Iowa. Our southern facility didn't want to give her back to me,” Hieb said with a broad smile on his face.
Clark actually graduated from Iowa State University in 2003 with a degree in exercise sports science. “I never thought I would be in a nursing home,” said the young woman, who admitted that like the rest of us she had a hard time going into nursing homes when she was younger.
“After college I knew I didn't want just a job, I wanted a career, something I could be passionate about,” she said. “I thought I needed something in the health care field so I went to work at a nursing home as an activities assistant. Anyone who knows anything about working in nursing homes knows you get hooked. I fell in love with the residents, it just pulls you in.”
She obtained her Long Term Care Administrator certificate through Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) one year ago. “Everything just flys, I lose track of time,” Clark answered with a smile when asked when she graduated and what she did next.
She has worked for Good Samaritan Society since January 2008 as administrator in training for six months in Indianola, one month in Estherville and served as the interim director for one month in Hot Spring Village, Arkansas before accepting the call to this position.
“I knew I wanted more training and experience and in this business I knew I needed God to get me by,” Clark said as she explained how she ended up with the Good Samaritan Society. “I wanted a faith-based organization where I didn't feel limited.”
“I feel God has put me here to be the senior advocate to change perceptions - it's hard to break those stereotypes - and to open the industry to culture change, such as a home-like atmosphere,” she said.
Although change is expected Clark said she is in no hurry to begin. “There will be no huge changes right away, that's not my personality,” she said with a smile. “I'm getting to know the residents and staff and their families.”
She said she has some ideas but it is important to her to find out where her Forest City team wants to go, then she will guide them and lead them to the fulfillment of their goals.
Clark, the second to the oldest of four siblings, has one brother in high school in Spencer, a sister attending college in Fayette and an older brother who is a minister in New York. She said she is currently searching for a home in Forest City and her parents are thrilled that she is settling down in a place close to home and centrally located to the rest of the family.
Story created Sep 23, 2008 - 11:28:43 CDT.
|
