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By Ayanna Eckblad

Kiona Rogers has a passion for caring for others.

It began when she was very young and her mother worked as a certified nursing assistant. This exposed Rogers to the world of senior care, and she decided to pursue it as a career.

In college, Ohio native Rogers studied psychology and earned her bachelor’s degree in the field. Afterwards she earned her master’s degree in interdisciplinary gerontology.

“While I was in college I served as a home health aide and patient care technician at a hospital in Ohio for five years,” Rogers said. “I was an intern and taught college classes on the aging process as well.”

She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Administrators.

Rogers worked in Iowa for a short time before taking a job in administration at Good Samaritan Society in Luverne. She worked in this position for one year. This is what led her to being hired as administrative director of Good Samaritan in Albert Lea, a position she has held now for about a year.

Good Samaritan Society provides senior care, senior housing and support services with an emphasis on respect, dignity and empathy toward others, according to the company’s website.

“Good Samaritan Society is such a special place in Albert Lea and the home to so many of our community seniors,” Rogers said. “It is truly a privilege to honor and serve them.”

Rogers added she also enjoys the team atmosphere at Good Samaritan and the knowledge that everyone has an important role to play in caring for residents and their families.

According to Rogers, her job as an administrative director mainly involves ensuring that people are safe and comfortable in their environment.

“That consists of taking care of people,” Rogers said. “Their activities and daily living … No day is the same. I could have administrative tasks, passing trays or even leading chapel services in one day.”

Not only is Rogers happy to be working in this new role, the people at Good Samaritan are happy to have her.

“Kiona has served in many roles throughout her long-term care career,” said Katie Davis, the vice president of operations at Good Samaritan Society — Minnesota, who was the former leader of the Albert Lea organization. “She is eager to get involved in the community of Albert Lea to share her talents and senior care knowledge. As Kiona’s current supervisor and as the past administrator of Good Samaritan Society — Albert Lea, I am proud of her leadership and her commitment to providing quality care to Albert Lea seniors now and into the future.”

Rogers describes her goal at her job as being available to help support residents, their families and the staff with whatever they need help with.

“Our staff are vital to those who call the Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea home,” she said. “We are excited to welcome people who are called to the work of health, healing and comfort and want to make a difference in seniors’ lives every day.”

Rogers said in her free time, she enjoys attending classes and exercising at the Albert Lea YMCA. She also likes to hike at various Minnesota state parks.