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Lambert named employee of the year at BRC
 | | Kathy Lambert, Opal Alt and Paige Lambert share a moment at BRC. (Photo courtesy BRC) |
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BRIDGEWATER - Kathy Lambert has been named employee of the year at the Bridgewater Retirement Community.
Born in Harrisonburg, Lambert spent her growing-up years in Moyers, W.Va. She was still in high school when she met her future husband, Mark.
Lambert attended Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, W.Va., and majored in social work.
After college Lambert went to work at Pendleton Nursing Home in Franklin, W.Va. She worked as the activities assistant four days a week and as an NA one day a week. "Back then we were all NAs," she explains.
In 1986 she began her employment at Bridgewater Home as an NA for almost one year. Lee Ann Benner, head of social work, interviewed Lambert for the admissions coordinator position. "I still remember what she asked me," says Kathy. "She said, if there was a fly on the wall, what would he say about you as a person? It's a very good question - it makes you think of yourself from someone else's perspective, and how other people perceive you."
Lambert will celebrate 21 years of employment at the home in September.
At the home, Lambert is in charge of admissions for Bridgewater Home Nursing and Assisted Living. "In essence, she is the one who keeps the rest of us working. It is a huge responsibility," says Cindy Bolan, vice president for human resources.
Lavenia Norford, director of publications, says Lambert does it all with tact, talent and skill. "She knows our referral sources very well. Families we have served in the past call her for advice. Kathy works very closely with the admissions coordinating team to make sure that people are a right fit and that they can be placed for the right kind of services. Our ACT team has access to an on-line medical service to make these decisions easier. Patients who are referred and the services they need can be reviewed by discharge status. With more and more demands being placed on skilled care and nursing facilities, this is very helpful," Norford said.
"Residents are usually not problematic," Lambert explains, "but over the years families and expectations have changed. Different family dynamics, and expectation of very personalized attention usually are the main reason for issues being raised. We have educated our public well, and now they ask a lot of questions. This is a good thing, but sometimes there are challenges, and we work through them."
Lambert's patience and calm manner certainly assist in meeting challenges, Norford said. "They have also helped her through her recent crisis with breast cancer. In October 2006, after a routine exam revealed what appeared to be a benign tissue lump, Kathy's doctor insisted on removing it."
"Thank God he did; it was not benign," she explains. "We are given challenges in our lives for a reason; because it makes us stronger. Life can be short and we have to be proactive and make the most of the days we are given. I just decided I was going to conquer this. You have to be positive!" she says. "God, family and friends, and having a positive attitude about things got me through this. That's just the way it is!"
She is positive, encouraging, and has certainly been a role model for others in the way she has met not only the challenges with her health, but also those at work, Norford said. "She uses her energy for others. Kathy is a walker for March of Dimes, a walker for Alzheimer's and accepted the challenge
of being an employee campaign leader for the Memory Support House campaign."
Lambert and her husband reside in Bridgewater with their daughter, Paige. She is the niece of Opal Alt of Highland County.
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