Former staff reside in community they served

• From left, Madalema Garza, Mary Emma Garcia, Christina Reyna reminisce about the years they worked together at the Yorktown Nursing and Rehab Center. PHOTO BY BRYLEE CLAYTON

The second week of June is National Nursing Assistant Week. This week is about honoring and recognizing wonderful nursing assistants. Nursing assistants play a crucial role in patients' lives not just at a hospital, but at other facilities such as nursing homes. At Yorktown Nursing and Rehab Center, one of their former nursing assistants and two staff now reside in the nursing home.

Christina Reyna has lived all her life in Yorktown. Before she started her journey at the Yorktown nursing home, she spent her time as a caretaker. Reyna then got a job at the Yorktown nursing home where she worked for 15 years.

She worked with one of her good friends, Mary Emma Garcia. They both enjoyed their time together and made lots of fond memories that they have and will cherish for a lifetime.

“Ms.Garcia would pick me up and we would go to church and eat together,” said Reyna.

Reyna now lives in the nursing home. Reyna has made a whole bunch of memories. She enjoys her time at the nursing home now as they get to play games.

“I enjoy spending time with my family now that I am here,” said Reyna.

Mary Emma Garcia grew up in Yorktown also. She started by working at the hospital and being a caretaker. Garcia eventually started working at the Yorktown Nursing Home where she then stayed for 15 years. While working in both the Yorktown hospital and nursing home she got to spend her time in the kitchen of both where she enjoyed making comida, or meals, for everyone.

“I enjoyed taking care of people and making comida,” said Garcia.

Garcia is now residing in the nursing home. She likes to spend her time with her children and grandchildren and painting.

“I like to paint now,” said Garcia.

Madalema Garza also lived in Yorktown her whole life. She went straight into becoming a nurse. She started at the nursing home and worked 31 years and then left. When she came back she worked another three years. In total, Garza worked 34 years at the Yorktown Nursing Home. She got to work alongside one of her good friends Eve.

“I started here for 31 years then I left and came back down and worked for another three years,” said Garza.

Garza is now occupied in the Yorktown Nursing Home. Garza enjoyed seeing everybody and taking care of them. She now spends her free time playing games and visiting with family.

“I enjoy spending time with my family,” said Garza.

Jenna Carter, the activity instructor at the Yorktown Nursing Home has worked with these amazing ladies for two years now. She enjoys helping them and getting to be their listening ear. These three ladies will always be remembered for their dedication and hard work as they spent many years working.

“I love to listen to them and hear about their experiences,” said Carter.