Janean Fegler, Therapy Program Manager for Concept Rehab, has been named a 2022 Frontline Honors honoree by Skilled Nursing News.
To become a Frontline Honoree, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a dedicated, high-performing frontline worker who delivers exceptional experiences and outcomes; a passionate worker who knows how to put their vision into action for the good of seniors and aging industry professionals; and an advocate for seniors, their industry, and their peers.
Skilled Nursing News caught up with Fegler to discuss their time in the skilled nursing industry.
SNN: What drew you to the Skilled Nursing industry?
Fegler: Prior to skilled nursing, I worked in an out-patient clinic setting within a hospital that worked with in-patient, home health, sports medicine as well as work hardening programs. The more I worked in the in-patient and home health care settings, and had the opportunity to work with a lot of patients in the geriatric population, I found that it just seemed to click more and I fell in love with the area. Eventually, I was approached with a job offer in a small skilled facility and I have been there ever since! Now going on 21 years!
What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in the industry?
It’s ok to become attached and close to your patients even when knowing that sometimes the end is near. It can be heartbreaking and devastating when a loss happens but the rewards of just knowing them and knowing you may have made a big difference in their lives is so rewarding. It makes a big impact on your heart and leads to making that much more of a difference in the next patient’s life. I’m a much better person from knowing these individuals and for having the opportunity to make a difference.
What’s your favorite part about your job?
The people I meet, staff members I work with as well as patients/residents and their families. I truly have so many adopted Grandmas and Grandpas; what else could a girl ask for?! To put a smile on their face, especially for those who no longer have family and are now alone, warms my heart.
What do you want society (or the general public) to know about your job?
Just how truly rewarding it is to be able to change a person’s life and sometimes the lives of family members through our knowledge and touch. It isn’t always “Work” and that is what I love the most, especially when I can go home each night loving my job!
What may be one thing leaders don’t know, that you wish they universally knew, about your job?
I would encourage legislators to look at therapy through a different scope, a different view, to examine the true benefits of the services that we provide. More and more, therapy services are being reduced and budgeted and truly taking away from the patient/resident and decreasing a huge potential outcome to a better, more functional life.
To view the Frontline Honors Class of 2022, visit frontlinehonors.agingmedia.com