Nobility of Character

^{Bob Speelman and Anthony Iwegbu}

_{December 21, 2022}
NOTE: This was taken from the blog of Foundations Health Solutions leader Bob Speelman. Bob works closely and frequently communicates with our Foundations Health facilities. It is so inspiring to see how each care team embodies the vision of our founder and nursing home developer, Brian Colleran, to be "A Culture of Care."

I had the pleasure of working alongside Anthony Iwegbu, an absolutely amazing Nursing Assistant at Maria Joseph Center in Dayton, Ohio, today. Anthony and his wife moved from Nigeria to the United States in 1994. In Nigeria Anthony was a Laboratory Director and his wife was an accountant. They wanted to come to the United States to start a family so their children would have all the opportunities that are afforded to citizens of the United States.

The process of becoming a United States Citizen was not easy for Anthony and his wife. Anthony did various jobs for about ten years before becoming a Nursing Assistant eighteen years ago. Anthony told me he always wanted to do something in the medical field and has always loved helping people. Being a Nursing Assistant, Anthony has accomplished both of those things.

Working with Anthony, I was immediately impressed with his work ethic and thoroughness. Anthony also had a rapport with his resident that was amazing. We did about four showers in an hour and a half. I asked Anthony if he normally did this many shower. He told me, “yes, many of the residents won’t take them for others but will take them when I ask. It’s important for them to shower, so I do as many as want to take them.”

I asked Anthony if he misses Nigeria. He looked at me, smiled, and said, “there’s no place like home. Yes, I miss it, but I am so glad for the opportunities that my children have been given here in the United States.” Anthony went on to tell me how his daughter graduated from Wright State and is a Nurse Practioner, his son is attending Kentucky State and studying Aeronautical Engineering and his youngest daughter is attending The Ohio State University and is studying to become a Gynecologist. I told Anthony that it sounds to me like the sacrifices you and your wife have made for your children to have more opportunities have paid off. Anthony smiled and said, “Yes! God is good.”


^{Anthony and his wife}

“To be a good father and mother requires that the parents defer many of their own needs and desires in favor of the needs of their children. As a consequence of this sacrifice, conscientious parents develop a nobility of character.”

- James E Faust

Bob Speelman, STNA