Jean Daily Chosen as Care Initiatives’ ‘Employee of the Year’

Jean Daily, Belle Plaine Specialty Care Assistant Director of Nursing/MDS Coordinator, was awarded Care Initiatives’ “Employee of the Year” award at Care Initiatives’ annual award brunch Friday, Dec. 16 in West Des Moines.

The “Employee of the Year” award is given to a nominated employee who best demonstrates the company’s Mission Statement: Improving quality of life for Iowans and their families during life’s health transitions through compassionate, individualized care.

Throughout the past summer, Belle Plaine Specialty Care incurred a nursing shortage. Jean did not hesitate to step up to help out. While she continued to work her standard office hours, she also pitched in when needed often putting in more than 300 hours a month. “If we had an open shift, she would just work the hours to ensure our residents were being taken care of,” Administrator Jalissa Simmons said. “Even when we had a shortage of staff in the kitchen, Jean said, ‘I can cook.’”

“Jean doesn’t care about the pay or the crazy hours sometimes required,” Simmons said. “She cares about our residents, making sure they have the best care and also maintaining trusting, caring relationships with their families.”

Belle Plaine Specialty Care is one of 50 locations owned and operated by West Des Moines-based Care Initiatives providing skilled nursing, rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s/dementia, assisted living and hospice care throughout Iowa. For more information about Care Initiatives or Belle Plaine Specialty Care, visit careinitiatives.org or call 319.444.2500.