From the sounds of laughter filling the room, you would have never known seven decades separated the speaker from her audience. That was the scene Thursday night in a University of Alabama at Birmingham lecture hall when Ms. Alabama Nursing Home Sylvia Holland spoke to health care management students.
“I can tell there are a lot of bright young people in this room,” Ms. Holland said as she began her remarks. “You can feel the energy. I can tell you’re going to be good at what you do.”
Ms. Alabama Nursing Home Sylvia Holland and UAB Adjunct Professor Patrick Nicovich.
Ms. Holland’s bright smile and warm personality quickly won over the crowd of about 30 junior and senior students enrolled in UAB’s School of Health Professions. She spoke about her life experiences and answered several questions from the students and instructor. The hour went by quickly as the conversation covered a wide range of topics: politics, religion, World War II, marriage and raising a family. However, the 88-year-old’s experience as a nursing home resident is why Adjunct Professor Patrick Nicovich invited her to speak to his Introduction to Long Term Care Administration class.
“The students are exposed to the varied career opportunities available through guest speakers who share their journey into long-term care by sharing management challenges with students” Mr. Nicovich said. “Having an elder who is also a consumer of long-term care service brings to life the reality of why we do what we do in long-term care. Ms. Holland’s outgoing personality and communication style effectively communicates the compassion and warmth that exists in nursing homes, and how a loving and caring staff work hard each and every day to meet and exceed our elders’ needs.”
Ms. Alabama Nursing Home Sylvia Holland speaks to Health Care Management students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Ms. Holland told students the story of how she came to live at Woodhaven Manor in Demopolis and how her health is much better after living there for two years. The initial treatment included correctly diagnosing a pre-existing medical condition and therapy.
“I was a basket case when I arrived at Woodhaven,” Ms. Holland recalled. “They figured out I had a salt deficiency. They treated me and two months later I was better.”
Most of the students plan to become hospital administrators, physician practice managers, long-term care administrators or occupational therapists. Ms. Holland said she could relate to the student’s career goals because she once worked as a receptionist in a doctor’s office. She answered the phone, scheduled appointments and managed the business. She earned $40 per week.
However, the best career advice came when Ms. Holland was asked what trait health care administrators need to be successful. When answering, she used the example of servant leadership set by Woodhaven Manor Administrator Brandon Taylor.
UAB Health Care Management students present Ms. Holland with several gifts.
“He’s very efficient. Brandon walks down the hall and visits every resident and greets everyone each day,” Ms. Holland said. “He let’s them know he has handled something they needed or asks it he can do anything for them.”
At the end of her remarks, Ms. Holland thanked the students for their time and left them with a few words of advice.
“I’ve gotten excited about old age,” Ms. Holland said. “This is my last lap around and I’m trying to live everyday to the fullest. Live life to the fullest and live it intelligently. Get a good education. You have the world in your hand right now and you can do anything.”
