Mark Anderson, executive director of Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea, has been honored with the Distinguished Service Award from a state-wide association of older adult services professionals. Cammi Anderson, activities assistant, was recognized as the Employee of the Year and Rachel Christensen, a volunteer harp therapist at the facility, was the recipient of the Resident Life Enrichment Award for her harp therapy program.

All three were presented with their awards at Care Providers of Minnesota’s annual convention that was held last week in Minneapolis.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual whose service over the course of their career has enhanced the quality of life for those residing in a care setting. Anderson was chosen due to his ongoing commitment to the delivery of quality care and customer service. Mark has worked for the Good Samaritan Society since 1991 and has continually focused on improving all aspects of resident care. He has served on Good Samaritan Societies National Board of Directors as well as on the American Health Care Association’s Quality Committee. Currently, Mark serves on Care Providers of Minnesota Board of Directors and is chair of their newly formed Quality Council.

Cammi has worked at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea since 2004 as an activities assistant. She was selected as Employee of the Year due to her dedication to selflessly serve the residents at the facility. She goes above and beyond to include every resident in activities and is successful at getting residents to participate in the life of the facility. Her kind and compassionate manner puts residents at ease and she is easily able to connect with them.

Christensen has been a harp practitioner at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea since 2008. With her therapy program, Rachel customizes each music session to fit a resident’s individual needs. For instance, if a resident is anxious, she’ll play calming music until the individual relaxes. A resident who is unable to communicate, might hum along to family songs played by Rachel, allowing the individual to express herself and feel they have connected and been understood.

Recipients were presented with their awards in front of a gathering of peers from across the state.

Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea has been the recipient of the prestigious James B. Swanson Award of Excellence in 2008, as well as recognized by the American Health Care Association with a Silver Quality Award in 2009.

Since 1947, Care Providers of Minnesota has been the voice of the state’s long-term care and senior housing community. Today, it represents over 500 providers of long-term care services including nursing facilities, assisted living, senior housing, and home and community based services. For more information on Care Providers of Minnesota, visit www.careproviders.org.