SMP Health - Ave Maria has longtime dedicated employees

Editor's note: This story is advertorial content as part of the 2023 Jamestown Sun Progress Edition on "Business, Workforce, Retention."

JAMESTOWN – SMP Health - Ave Maria employs almost 200 people, including many who have been with the company for a number of years, said Tonie Stoen, CEO/administrator.

“Our employees are dedicated, loyal, and most of all, compassionate,” she said. “For this we are grateful.”

Ave Maria’s longest-serving employee has been with the organization for 58 years, she said. One of those longer-serving employees, human resources director Jeannie Schmidt celebrated 32 years with the organization in January.

"I can’t imagine working anywhere else,” Schmidt said. “ This place has been my family for 32 years, through the tough times and the good times. When I think back over the years, I would say there have been way more good times with all the fun we have had working as a team on different things.“

Stoen noted that Ave Maria has 50 employees with 10 or more years of service.

“I can't say enough positive things about the team of dedicated employees we have at Ave Maria,” she said. “They are unsung heroes. Our team members, through snowstorms and all, provide quality care to our residents and tenants every day.”

She said she’s heard many team members say they do not see working at Ave Maria as a job but as a calling.

“I've also heard employees refer to Ave Maria as their ‘second family,’” she said. “The relationships and bonds that are established between employees and residents as well as with residents' families are simply amazing. It is a rewarding place to work, to say the least.”

Ave Maria provides skilled nursing and assisted-living services and has 100 residents. Skilled nursing includes short-term rehabilitation with therapy services and long-term care services.
There are 58 full-size apartment units for assisted living and services offered include nursing care, meals, activities, transportation, laundry, housekeeping, therapy and more.

Ave Maria’s mission statement reads: "SMP Health - Ave Maria, inspired by the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, serves those in our care with respect and compassion as we strive to fulfill the healing mission of Jesus."

Stoen said the mission is at the forefront of the organization.

“Each day, as a team, we work to accomplish this mission and often remind one another of the deeper reason behind our work,” she said.

Ave Maria celebrated 60 years of service in 2022, and Stoen said the facility was established as the first nursing home in Jamestown in 1962.

“We were truly overjoyed with the support and recognition from the community last year as we celebrated this milestone,” she said. “We look forward to providing many more years of service in the Jamestown community.”

She said they are always looking for people to add to their team and encourage them to stop by Ave Maria and apply for open positions. For a tour, call 252-5660.