Face of Caring – March 2021

Director of Social Services Shannon Clem has worked at Cassia’s Apple Valley Health and Rehabilitation for two years. Colleagues and supervisors say Shannon is an excellent advocate for the residents and is always focused on determining how to meet their needs. She launched a dementia support group for families/spouses of residents with dementia for both the Apple Valley Health and Rehabilitation center and the Apple Valley community. Shannon also organized treats for staff to help motivate them when the Coronavirus began occurring in Minnesota.

In addition, Caring Partners is an existing program, but Shannon advocated to bring a program called Caring Partners to the health and rehabllitation center, and now leads that program as well.  Caring Partners allows staff to be more interactive with residents and builds relationships.

Shannon’s staffs calls her a positive and supportive manager, always empowering and encouraging employees. She is not only a champion for the residents and families; she thinks creatively and out-of the box to better their lives.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they hold onto how you make them feel.  These are words that guide me and I believe in leading by doing,” Shannon says.