It's hard to get through a conversation with Donita Stokes without someone stopping to say hello.
After 30 years as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Grand Traverse Pavilions, Donita is preparing to retire at the end of October. She's spent her entire career caring for residents on Dogwood and she's made a lot of friends along the way.
We're sitting in a dining room at the Pavilions, with a photo of Donita on her first day of work in 1996 sitting on the table. Throughout our conversation, coworkers and residents stop by to chat, look at the photo, share a few laughs and wish her well in retirement.
It's clear she's going to be missed.
In 1996, Donita was 29 years old and determined to get a job at what was then called the Grand Traverse County Medical Care Facility.
She had been working as a nurse aide at Tendercare, but the county facility was the place to work. The pay was good, the benefits were good, and Donita wanted in.
So she applied. And called. And called again.
Every Monday for nine weeks, she checked on her application.
Finally, Dennis Robinson hired her. As Donita remembers it, he figured she wasn't going to stop calling until she got the job.
He was probably right.
She started on the fourth floor of the old building, where seven nurse aides cared for 38 residents.
A lot has changed since then. Donita watched the new Pavilions building go up and eventually saw the building where she began her career come down to make room for the parking garage.
She also remembers when assistant directors of nursing wore white caps and CNAs wore white pants, white shoes and scrub tops embroidered with two cherries.
But some things haven't changed.
Ask Donita what people don't understand about being a CNA, and she talks about the people.
A CNA is a counselor, a hand to hold and someone who offers reassurance when a resident is frightened or confused. They help people feel comfortable, protect their dignity and are sometimes the person sitting beside them as they take their last breath.
And none of it happens alone. Donita is quick to point out that good care takes a team of people working together.
She also believes that working at the Pavilions comes with a special responsibility. This is home to a couple hundred people, and employees are guests in their home every day.
It's work she takes seriously, but she's also learned that a little laughter goes a long way.
After 30 years in resident care, Donita has plenty of stories. She says humor has helped her through the years. The work can be physically and emotionally demanding, and sometimes you just have to laugh.
Even her name has provided years of entertainment. Residents have called her everything from Dinoko to Dorito.
Anything but Donita.
She doesn't mind. She'll answer to just about anything.
Over the years, Donita has also watched young CNAs come through the doors, many about the same age as her own children. She's helped them learn the job and watched with pride as some continued their education and became nurses. Many of those coworkers have become lifelong friends.
Last year, Donita was nominated for a LeadingAge award, one of the proudest moments of her career. But she's just as proud of the care she's provided over the past 30 years.
As Donita prepares to retire, she hopes people will remember her for providing good care, sharing a laugh and making people smile.
She's spent 30 years doing just that, alongside coworkers who have become lifelong friends and residents who have given her plenty of stories to tell.
It's been a career filled with hard work, good people and a lot of laughter. And one she can be very proud of.
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