Staff member earns education assistance funds

Adreah Novotny is a certified nursing assistant and will be going to Cloud County Community College to continue her nursing education.[/caption]

Every spring, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America employees have the opportunity to apply for education assistance funds. Sarah Oenning, PMMA’s development director, said that’s because a group of private donors had the vision many years ago to set up endowments at some PMMA communities for employee education.

“It’s been a priority for a really long time,” Sarah said. “We know that donors saw that employee education was important and worth supporting.”

We’re proud to announce that one of our very own, CNA Adreah Novotny, has been awarded funds to continue pursuing her nursing education.

“I’m currently a certified nursing assistant. I will be going to Cloud County Community College to achieve my general education so I can pursue a nursing degree,” said Adreah. “I was so excited when I opened that letter and it said congratulations! I had to tell my parents right away. I love my job and I love that I can become so close with the residents and listen to them about their lives!”

To be eligible, employees are required to:

• Be employed at PMMA for at least one year at the time the award is made (usually mid-summer);

• Be regularly scheduled to work, for a minimum of 8 hours during a 2-week payroll cycle;

• Show relevance of the education to the services provided by PMMA, and;

• Be employed in good standing at the conclusion of the educational program and at the time the reimbursement request is submitted for payment.

Funds are paid after the successful completion (a “C” grade or higher) of the approved course and can be used to cover tuition, fees and books.

“The education assistance program is a valuable tool for staff retention,” said Melanie Owens, senior vice president for human resources and chief financial officer for PMMA. “This year, we awarded all the community designed funds and PMI funds, which resulted in 32 award, a total of more than $76,000.”

Congratuations, Adreah, and to all PMMA employees who were awarded education assistance funds.