Assistant Director of Health and Wellness Steffani Dranchak accidentally stumbled upon a career in healthcare when she needed a job at 18 years old. Though she didn’t know it yet, her experience as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) was the stepping stone for a lifelong passion for senior care.
“I had never really considered working in healthcare at all. I wanted to be a teacher, actually, but I needed a job so I took the CNA class and started working. I just really fell in love with working with the elderly. I enjoyed it a lot, so I stuck with it,” said Dranchak.
For the past 11 years, Dranchak has spent her time working with the residents at Rittenhouse Village in Portage, Indiana. She first came to the facility as a CNA, then became a qualified medication aide, and eventually worked her way up to becoming a licensed practical nurse. Recently, Dranchak became the assistant director of health and wellness – a new title in the Rittenhouse community.
Dranchak originally came to Rittenhouse because it was a brand new facility, but she stayed because of the family-like atmosphere felt by both residents and fellow staff members.
“We're a family. A lot of us have been there for a long time. It's kind of like our home and we take a lot of pride in it. We feel a lot of responsibility,” said Dranchak.
Though the staff and environment are a large part of what makes coming to work fulfilling, it’s the residents that make the biggest impact. Ensuring expert care and maintaining a level of trust takes time, but it is well worth the effort for Dranchak.
“It’s the residents – just making sure that they're well taken care of and knowing that they trust me is the most rewarding thing,” said Dranchak.
Stress is inevitable in a position like Dranchak’s, but rather than letting the stress get in the way of her productivity, Dranchak uses stress as a motivator.
“I’ve always been a ‘glass half full' kind of person. I deal with stress well. Sometimes it’s actually a motivator for me. I just keep going. We just have to find a solution and get to that point where everybody's in good shape,” said Dranchak.
Dranchak’s life outside of Rittenhouse is arguably busier than her work life. With four boys and the decision to go back to school, balancing life, school, kids, and caring for her elderly grandmother has become Dranchak’s superpower.
“I have four boys. We like to do baseball, and it’s that time of year right now so we're going to games a lot. My husband and I go to a lot of concerts. We just like music, being outside, and being with my family,” said Dranchak.
For Dranchak, a busy schedule is as much a part of life as eating, sleeping, and breathing. Her commitment to her husband, children, friends, and career is the driving force behind her motivation, and her busy lifestyle is one of her largest sources of fulfillment.
“We're just happy. I have a good life. I have a good husband, I have great kids, and I have great friends. It's very rewarding,” said Dranchak.
No matter what she’s conquering, Dranchak is a force to be reckoned with, and her passion both at Rittenhouse Village and in her personal life is an inspiration to many.