It’s been 55 years and counting. No one has dedicated more years to caring for our community at Winona Health than Nola Skappel.
Nola’s story began at Winona Health in 1970 when, newly married, she moved from Caledonia to Winona and landed a position as occupational therapy assistant at Lake Winona Manor. Soon, she began taking classes so she could provide therapeutic recreation activities for the residents, a role she enjoyed for 38 years before transferring to Senior Living at Watkins to provide therapeutic recreation for our assisted living residents.
“It was wonderful being able to really focus on the residents,” Nola recalls. “I learned what they wanted and needed and was able to provide programs and activities that were meaningful to them, whether it was playing the music they loved or coordinating a variety of church services. I also really enjoyed my years working in that beautiful mansion.”
In 2020, Nola transitioned to working casual on call to help Winona Health care for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, assisting with services like COVID testing. Today, she helps out when needed at our Guest Services desk in the clinic, answering questions and helping people get where they need to go.
“Generations of families come through our doors. I see people come in who I remember from when they were kids visiting their grandparents at the manor.” With a laugh she adds, “I often have people come in and say, ‘Oh my gosh! Are you still here?’”
She adds, “I’ve made so many connections here through the years. And I’ve had so many wonderful coworkers. It’s amazing to me the number of older people who are still able to be out and about thanks in part to the providers at Winona Health helping them stay healthy for so long.”
Missy Nadeau, director of Human Resources, said, “Nola holds the record for number of years caring for people at Winona Health. Her life-long contribution is an incredible testament to her dedication to her fellow community members, and to our organization’s ability to care for this community. Nola is a caregiver in every sense of the word.”
Recalling the early years, Nola reminisces about the relatively small staff size, about 200 people, and feeling like she knew every single one of them throughout every department.
She noted that she’s witnessed phenomenal changes over the years, ”One of the biggest changes has been the increase in documentation requirements and the technology available. I learned quickly that you have to be flexible and adjust with the times.”
Although change is inevitable, we also know that the best possible care happens as it always has, with neighbors coming together to take care of each other.
“I think it’s the hometown aspect of Winona Health that makes it so appealing. One of the things about being here that’s so meaningful to me is the generations of families I’ve been able to work with and help. It’s seeing people come in whose grandparents I cared for. The memories and the families stay with you. I’m so grateful for the lifetime friendships I’ve made here and that Winona Health has been a huge part of my life.”
Thank you, Nola, for all your years of caring, past, present and future. We are grateful, and you are part of what makes us Winona.
Nola Skappel celebrates 55 years at Winona Health.