Northgate junior brightens seniors' days in first healthcare job

Jenna Thomas feels like she has dozens of grandmas.

Jenna, a Northgate junior who participates in A.W. Beattie’s Health and Nursing Sciences program, works at Haven at North Hills as the Activity Assistant, her first step into the healthcare industry after getting her feet wet in the Career Center.

“I’m always making sure residents are active and doing something,” Jenna said. “I focus on their mental and physical health, so we do exercise puzzles, crossword puzzles, and crafts. I also talk to them a lot, which is really good for them. I love it.”

Jenna’s long-term goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner.

One of her short-term goals is to win a contest at Haven for who created the best Gingerbread House Display with residents.

“It’s so much fun doing things like that,” Jenna said. “That’s something that brightens my day and their day. There’s so much joy in knowing your helping someone every day. It’s definitely like having a bunch of grandmas. It’s a great first job.”