As long term care providers across the country continue to navigate ongoing workforce challenges, an ANHA member is taking a deeply human-centered approach to strengthening its caregiving team—while also reshaping lives in the process.
Rehab Select recently hosted a community welcome event in Talladega, Alabama, honoring six newly arrived registered nurses from Kenya and their families. These six nurses join three others from international locations already working within the organization, and will work at the Talladega facility, as well as facilities in Guntersville and Alabaster.
Chris Schmidt, co-owner of Rehab Select’s parent company – Schmidt Wallace Healthcare Management Company kicked off the event by noting that it marked the latest milestone in a multi-year effort to recruit and support internationally trained nurses. He welcomed local officials, including City Councilwoman Betty Spratlin, City Manager Danny Warwick, and Talladega Chamber of Commerce President Donnie Miller, who were on hand to help celebrate. They were joined by Central Alabama Community College Educational Site Director Jerry Creel, whose institution partners closely with Rehab Select through their LPN program—further reflecting a shared, local commitment to building and supporting the healthcare workforce. Schmidt noted these partnerships set this initiative apart—not only for its recruitment efforts, but for the depth of investment and support surrounding it.
Each nurse completes a rigorous, years-long process before arriving in the United States, including credential verification, licensure exams, English proficiency testing, and federal immigration review. Many spend three to five years preparing for the opportunity—often placing their lives on hold while awaiting approval.
“We have been able to improve the timeline over the years,” Schmidt said. “But one of the biggest challenges remains the adjustment period for the nurse and their family—learning U.S. customs, culture, food, and even the climate. Many of these families have never seen snow or experienced things as simple as Mexican food or Alabama sweet tea.”
Rehab Select Corporate Administrator Dustin Watkins said, “These individuals have shown incredible patience, determination, and trust throughout this journey.”
Upon arrival, Rehab Select supports not only the nurses, but their families—providing housing, helping children transition into local schools and daycares, and creating pathways for spouses to enter the workforce. For the nurses, the transition is both professional and deeply personal. “Landing here is where the journey truly begins,” shared one nurse who arrived nearly two years ago. “Everything is new—the culture, the environment, even daily routines. But over time, this community has become home.”
Schmidt emphasized that while international recruitment plays an important role, it is only one part of a broader workforce solution.
“This program is truly life-changing for these families,” he said. “But we must continue to create and develop more nurses through many avenues. International recruiting is just one component—growing your own, offering scholarships, and developing apprenticeship programs are equally important. Retention efforts are just as, if not more, important than recruitment. We have to focus on increasing the size of the pie and keeping our people.”
For Rehab Select and the surrounding community, the impact extends beyond staffing. Local leaders noted the broader economic and social contributions—from school enrollment to workforce participation—highlighting how these efforts are helping strengthen both care delivery and community stability.
Schmidt added that the ultimate goal remains clear: “to improve resident and patient care by providing stable, consistent, and sufficient nurse staffing.”
That vision reflects a long-standing philosophy within the organization.
“Our founder and my mother, Patti Wallace, always believed in being fully staffed and in improving the lives of not just our residents, but also our employees,” Schmidt said. “She believed in giving people opportunities to improve their lives and the lives of their families.”
With additional nurses expected in the coming months, this initiative reflects a growing focus across the long term care sector: building sustainable workforce pipelines while maintaining a commitment to quality, compassionate care.
