Donnette Barnett, CNA at Wernick Adult Day Health Care
Donnette was born and raised in Springfield, along with her sister Kim. She graduated from Commerce High School in 1983 and gave birth to her son Warren Jr. in 1984. She and her husband Warren Sr. have known each other practically their entire lives and they married in 1990.
After staying home full-time for a few years to raise her son, Donnette then went for CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) training. She had always wanted to be a nurse and thought this would be the first step towards that goal. After completing the program, she was hired by Ring Nursing Home on Ridgewood Terrace in Springfield and worked there for 14 ½ years. At that point, Ring was about to close. One of the Jewish residents there was hoping to transfer to the Jewish Nursing Home, in order to follow her physician Dr. Jay Ungar, who had moved his practice from Ring to JGS. While the resident was touring the facility, Donnette filled out an application and was hired immediately. She began work on July 31, 2000.
“From the beginning I always enjoyed being a CNA,” she said. “It’s very hands-on work. I like spending time with the residents and talking with them. You learn to love them so much.”
Donnette worked with the team on the A-1 unit for many years, and then, in 2015, there was a job posting for a CNA at the Wernick Adult Day Health program. She felt it was a good time to make a change. “I wanted to spend more time with my two grandchildren,” she said. “I knew I would have my weekends off, and that schedule would give me more time to be with them.” Her granddaughter Nevaeh is now 12, and her grandson Braxton is 5. “We love to travel,” she said. “My son plans the trips and the whole family goes. We have been to DC, Baltimore, Florida, California, New Orleans and Hawaii. We enjoy the sightseeing, and walking and of course, the eating.”
In her spare time, Donnette also loves to crochet, especially making baby blankets. Reflecting on her 20 years of service at JGS, she says, “My time here has been great. Sure, there are good days and bad days. But I love the elderly and I love helping people. I like the people I work with, and enjoy meeting the different people I meet here.”
We congratulate Donnette for her long and valued tenure at JGS. Whether on the A-1 unit or at Wernick, she has always been a devoted and trustworthy care provider who brings a lot of laughter and smiles to those around her. She is personable and respectful and gives so much of herself to those she takes care of. We wish her many years of good health and great adventures as she continues to enjoy and travel with her beloved family. We thank her for her 20 years of caring and compassionate service at JGS.
