Administrator of Good Samaritan Society – Home Health, Sarah Angelo and RN of Black Hills don't see patients as much anymore. When she does, she usually jumps in to stabilize her challenging cases.
“These are some of my beloved patients. Sign up,” Angelo says of her complicated clients in Rapid City, South Dakota. “I think it's a challenge, but I also know they need service.
“Everyone deserves quality healthcare.”
This past winter, Angelo's temperament was tested when she met Marnie Hermann's father, Lawrence Bentling.
“He was a stubborn gentleman, and some might say it's even more difficult,” Herman said of the 82-year-old.
The ventling fell and after being discharged from the hospital, he needed home medical services.
“We were worried about that,” says Herman, who works as a senior banking executive and also works for the Sanford Health board. “It was a really impossible situation. I myself want to make sure he has what he needs and take him where he needs him and maintain my own obligation.”
No one hosted many guests in the third floor apartment other than his shelter cat, but benching wasn't very good at taking orders about his health.
“(Sarah) connected quickly with him, and it was fun to see that,” Herman says.
Angelo adds, “We formed an unlikely bond.”
“The last thing he's ever said loudly.”
Based on mutual respect, the two formed a relationship that was more peaceful than pain and filled the following month.
“It was a complete game changer for him to have home hygiene,” Herman said.
I remember Hermann saying, “You're Sarah, I know she's good. She's lined up me, but that's fine.”
“To say he was very rare for everyone.”
Angelo says meeting places you meet your clients and taking care of their well-being is why she and her team love serving their home health.
“I like how you connect with people. I like going to their homes. I like seeing their environment and what their goals and challenges are,” says Angelo.
In January, the ventling collapsed again and returned to the hospital. Due to some of the chronic illnesses he had been managing, his doctor recommended hospice.
Hospice was expected, but Hermann was naturally sad. She was also worried as her father said it would be difficult to move to the center.
Luckily there was a hospice space in the village of St. Martin – St. Martin, which is on the way from Angelo's office. When Hermann spoke to his father, Angelo's involvement made all the difference.
“They have a place for you to have Good Samaritan and Sarah there and she will be able to check you out,” the emotional Hermann remembers sharing with Bentling. “And he said, 'OK.' (Sigh.) That was the last thing he ever said loudly. ”
Bentling passed away on January 19, 2025. Hermann doesn't even want to think about what the final months of his life would have been like without Angelo.
“The moment was very relieved. He knew he was going, but he knew Sarah was there and it made it okay. And it wasn't a fight and it was already more unsettling.”
National Forward Administrator Champion
That natural instinct to provide support to clients, families and teammates is why Angelo is the former forward admin champion.
“It feels like she's not just advocating for our patients. She feels we're a great advocate as an employee,” says Sarikangas, Good Samaritan RN case manager.
When nurses have to travel long distances to spearfish or elsewhere, Cangas says Angelo doesn't hesitate to stop tipping if necessary.
“Sarah definitely deserves this award,” Kangas says. “She's one of the best bosses I've ever had.”
RN case manager Amanda Torsuma said Angelo “is excited to come to work. She's a great troubleshooter.
Torsuma laughs and recalls Angelo's shocked at the honor in front of his family, teammates and residents of St. Martin Village. Angelo is not a spotlight seeker.
“Sarah deserves this award because she never expects anything to be recognized,” Trusma says.
The award nomination form points to Angelo's high quality score, strong staff retention and exceptional business outcomes.
“She will stop what she is doing to help bring you down your path and do her job,” says Laurel Volesky, a good Samaritan chief vocational therapist.
A caring and community conscious Angelo helped start this home healthcare facility 10 years ago. It holds a special place in her heart.
“It's us. It's not just me. It's the team. We value everything they bring to this team. We know that we can't do that without any of them. It's culture. It's the family.”
“We are really dedicated to the quality of care we provide. We provide that quality of care to everyone.”
And you can imagine “we” to appear in Black Hills clients in the future.
“To win this award means a lot to me. That means a lot to me. But I always remember the team,” says Angelo.
“There are so many other people, so I just want to stand behind and recognize them.”
learn more
…
Submitted at awards and awards, People & Culture, Sanford Story, Senior Services
