In addition to Terri, the 2001 Stories of the Year team of judges included Sharon Todd, chief financial officer for SunBridge, Jill Snow, vice president for regulatory affairs, Sheila Dosher, vice president for operations support and education and Cyndi Aun, vice president for clinical management and policy. Melissa Biddinger, customer service manager, tabulated the results. "It was very inspiring to read all the heartwarming stories," she said. "It’s good to share the positive things that are happening in our nursing homes."       Each entry was scored on its contribution to residents, staff and the community and on the involvement of families and medical professionals. In December, the top 10 entries received awards for holiday parties:

New England - Mediplex of Stamford (Conn.) Eastern Hospital - Mediplex Rehab Hospital (New Bedford, Mass.) Southeast - SunBridge Care Center for Moran Lake (Ga.) Midwest - SunBridge Care & Rehab for Edwardsville (Ill.) Southern California - SunBridge Care Center for Grand Terrace (Calif.) Northern California - SunBridge La Mariposa Care & Rehab (Calif.) Western - SunBridge Care & Rehab for Emmett (Idaho) Western Hospital - Robert H. Ballard Rehabilitation Hospital (Calif.)

      Although each division was allowed only one winner, many stories were equally exciting and touching. Four themes emerged as focal points for facility pride: patients’ success stories, exceptional volunteers, dynamic relationships between facilities and their communities, and strong bonds within the SunBridge employee family. In addition, several facilities described their efforts to help the victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

      Numerous stories honored the courage and perseverance of special patients as well as the skill and hard work of dedicated staff. For instance, in Groesbeck (Texas), a helpless 45-year-old woman with massive injuries from an automobile accident was locked in the fetal position when she was admitted; she progressed to taking charge of get-well cards for temporarily hospitalized residents before she returned home. A patient at SunBridge Care & Rehabilitation for Everett (Wash.) awoke from a debilitating stroke and eventually played the piano for fellow residents before moving in with her daughters.

      Caring volunteers are unsung but essential members of the SunBridge team. "Rose Man" Curtis Hawkins regularly brings armloads of fresh flowers to SunBridge for Corpus Christi (Texas). Staff at Cordata Healthcare & Rehab Center (Bellingham, Wash.) recalled the happy bedlam created when 8-year-old volunteer Nathaniel Martin careened through the halls with David Clark on his motorized wheelchair, celebrating the joyous bond between an autistic child and his quadriplegic adult pal.

      Kingswood Regional High School students transformed SunBridge for Wolfeboro (N.H.) into a dance hall for a "senior" prom. At Patterson (La.), residents involved in the intergenerational program visit local libraries to share stories about "Wilfred" and his escapades in a nursing home. The project brings a different perspective on facility life to kids and their parents, caregivers and grandparents.

      Other stories celebrated the SunBridge employee family. A writer from SunBridge Care & Rehabilitation for Estrella (Avondale, Ariz.) described "the sense of family, the sense of belonging, the feeling of being involved in a worthwhile cause." Almost one quarter of Estrella’s team has worked there more than five years, with 13 percent over 10 years; one 12-year employee has been joined over the years by seven family co-workers. And when 20 staff members at Humble (Texas) lost homes and possessions to Tropical Storm Allison, employees from facilities across the country as well as the corporate office donated clothes, cleaning supplies and money. "When we talk about teamwork, what we really mean is community," concluded a writer from SunBridge Care & Rehabilitation for Redding (Calif.).
      "Thanks to the facilities who took the time to submit their stories," said Rick Matros, Sun president and CEO. "As I visit SunBridge facilities, I see many teams of dedicated professionals who take pride in their work and truly care about the residents they serve. The Stories of the Year is an opportunity to share these successes."