by Ania Rust
The Fourth of July is significant for all of us, but to me, it's even more special for personal reasons. This year, July 4, 2024, will be my 50th Anniversary as an American citizen.
Like you, I am grateful to be an American. I found my destiny here in America. As a Polish immigrant who came to America in 1967, I came here like so many others, seeking freedom and all this country offered. I spoke no English and had only a sixth-grade education, but as determined as I am, I pushed through with a strong desire to live the American dream and made it happen.
Getting into college was challenging, as the school initially denied my entrance. The university stated they already had many qualified applicants. At first, it made me feel like I was not good enough to attend college to gain a nursing degree. But I persevered and got my degree in Nursing and later two Master's Degrees.
After graduation, I continued forward in the same spirit to fight for what I believed in; compassion for patients and a dedication to excellence for my employees as I opened my own business. I was the owner/administrator of Comfort Health Care, an agency that employed over 130 employees and served over 350 patients monthly in the greater Dallas area. We provided the highest quality of health care to patients in their homes. Fulfilling this dream and attaining my goal would not have been possible without the support of many doctors, patients, patient families, employees, and so many others. I even helped nurses start healthcare businesses without monetary compensation, as I knew the hardship and just wanted to help.
Knowing that quality, compassionate patient care depends on enthusiastic, well-educated staff, I set up a continuing education program that was certified through the Board of Nurse Examiners for re-licensing. The courses offered classes relating directly to home health documentation and employment development topics. I led many seminars on this subject matter, which led to a large Home Health Agency hiring me to do exclusive workshops for their teams and consulting for their agency.
I've always strongly believed in education for the patients and the senior community at large. I served the community by offering my services as a speaker on health issues to volunteer groups, at health fairs, and to seniors' groups.
Through the years, I received special recognition from many groups for my volunteer contributions. I was the Volunteer of the Year for the Allen Senior Center and got to work with the seniors to publish a cookbook where the proceeds went to scholarships for students. I was named "Rookie of the Year and was elected to the office of Vice President and then President, leading to achieving "Woman of the Year" in the American Business Women's Association. There are so many other wonderful things that have happened in my career, and all of them were possible by embracing this country that I love, and it came to embrace me.
In 1994, I started an Assisted Living community called Loving Care Home where we provided health care services on a more individualized scale than traditional nursing home, setting a standard to superior care for our wonderful residents. Over the years, I started two more communities under the Loving Home banner. In 2019, I sold the last of the communities to nurses so the residents would continue to get the best care possible.
It has been an amazing 50 years in America. My career in the health care profession, making a difference in the lives of patients and bringing them back to good health, will always be something I am proud. As I celebrate my 50th Anniversary as an American, I want to leave a legacy of my story and love for the America. In honor of what I have worked for and what I believe, all proceeds of the book will be donated to a scholarship fund for students working towards a career in the healthcare profession.
Once again, thank you, America! This amazing country that I am proud to have become a citizen of five decades ago allowed me to fulfill my role as both a healthcare provider and an American. I will always continue living the American dream and continue serving the country I love.
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