State honors Joplin Health Department nurse

(From the City of Joplin)

Some days are full of surprises, and on Friday, August 1, a Licensed Practical Nurse who has worked in the Joplin City Health Department for the past 37 years, had one of those days.

Wilma Massey, LPN, was somewhat startled to learn that she received a Missouri Outstanding Older Worker Award from the Missouri Division of Senior and Disability Services for her 50-year nursing career. Members of her family joined co-workers and City officials in congratulating her on this award during a brief gathering at the City Health Department in Joplin.

As a Community Health Nurse for the Health Department, Massey provides many services to assist clients including vaccinations, pregnancy testing, STD testing, and assisting the public on other various public health needs. She was nominated by fellow Health Department nurse, Cynthia Burnham, RN, earlier this summer.

In the nomination, Burnham wrote of her nursing skills, “Wilma Massey has been an LPN for over fifty years. She absolutely rocks her job! Wilma is punctual to the point of being to work an hour early daily, setting up the lab, opening the office, and prepping for the day. She…. has seen the transition that all health departments go through. …She has adapted to the computer – high-tech changes with grace, and is a wealth of knowledge to public nursing. Wilma rarely misses work, so much so that she is “forced” to take vacation days yearly. I am proud to work with Wilma Massey.”

Burnham also elaborated on Massey’s caring touch with clients and co-workers alike. “At 74, Wilma has seen many changes in nursing. She is non-judgmental, understanding, loved by all. I think one of the things that touch me is her willingness to give beyond measure. She provides a toolbox for use, and if you need a snack fix, she has a cupboard she stocks for her co-workers. Every single birthday, holiday, or event is noticed and rewarded with a memorable card. She purchases little trinkets to give to the children she immunizes out of her own pocketbook. While these are more personal, rather than skills, it shows her incredible dedication to her job, her employer, her chosen field, and her community. She was right there with the rest of the health department following the devastating tornado that hit Joplin in May 2011, and working long hours, out on the streets, to tend to those who needed care.”

According to the Missouri Division of Senior and Disability Services website, the contest seeks to honor a Missouri resident who is 60 or older and is employed an average of 20 hours or more a week at a Missouri job site.

The award is sponsored by the Missouri Senior Employment Coordinating Committee, consisting of AARP Missouri; Experience Works; Catholic Charities of Kansas City – St. Joseph; MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries; Dept. of Economic Development/Division of Workforce Development and Dept. of Health & Senior Services/Division of Senior and Disability Services.