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Homeland power duo: Mother-daughter Director of Nursing and RN charge nurse share a zeal for service

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When residents learn that their nurse at Homeland is the daughter of Homeland Center Director of Nursing Jennifer Tate-DeFreitas, they say to Jennifer, “Your daughter is such a great nurse!”

“One resident will ask me, ‘Did you take Malani out to lunch yet? Make sure you take her out to lunch because she is a really good, hardworking nurse, and she really deserves for you to take her out to lunch,’” Jennifer said. “They’re really rooting for her, which makes me feel good as a parent.”

The team at Homeland Center not only feels like family, but also includes several sets of relatives among the staff including Jennifer Tate-DeFreitas and her daughter Malani Tate-DeFreitas. The mother-daughter duo is dedicated to providing care and ensuring Homeland feels like home for every resident.

Jennifer Tate-DeFreitas joined Homeland in 2002 as an Assistant Director of Nursing. Malani first came to Homeland during high school, working as an activities aide. After graduating from her mom’s alma mater, Hampton University, in 2020 – with her senior year and all its fun abridged by the pandemic – she returned to Homeland to conduct COVID testing.

From that vantage point, watching her mom in action inspired her to go into nursing.

“I feel like everybody always came to my mom,” Malani said. “If something needed to be done, she’d always know how to handle a situation. Just how she kept her calm and composure about it is like she was made for it.”

In college, Malani majored in biology with a concentration in pre-medicine. The pandemic curbed her plans to attend optometry school on a scholarship, and her mother suggested that she consider nursing. Malani found an accelerated program at Widener University and, in December 2023, earned her RN BSN. In February 2024, she became licensed before joining Homeland as a first-floor skilled care charge nurse.

Malani loves everything about her floor including her colleagues, gracious supervisor and residents.

“I love the team aspect and the unity,” she said.

Malani and her mom draw a hard line between their personal and professional relationships. Malani avoids running to her mother with questions, trying to learn from her supervisor and coworkers. Jennifer stays out of her daughter’s way.

“Unless I have to be there, I’m not there,” Jennifer said. “I had to learn that I’m not the mother at work.”

Jennifer has implicit trust in Malani, who works independently and takes every endeavor seriously. Her daughter is “more like me than I think she knows,” enduring the blessing and curse of being a diligent, hard worker.

“Today, the nursing shortage is real, and the load on nurses can be very challenging,” said Jennifer. “For her to be the youngest in an environment such as this and to be a leader — a quiet leader — to me is a great aspect of the person that she is.”

Although nursing wasn’t Malani’s first career choice, she is glad she made the transition.

“I like the care aspect,” she said. “Doctors are in and out of patients’ rooms. They never have that one-on-one with patients. Nurses are speaking with the patient and getting to know them more.”

Malani’s workday doesn’t end with her Homeland shift. Her entrepreneurial, creative spirit shines in multiple enterprises – running a photobooth business for events, making tufted rugs, and designing programs for her family’s business, the legendary Major H. Winfield Funeral Home in Steelton.

Outside of work, Malani is constantly with family and helping with cooking. Every weekend over the summer, there are cookouts and swimming at her grandmother’s house. Before several cousins left for college, the family hosted get-togethers to “try to make some more memories before they leave.”

Within a year, Malani plans to return to school to study and become a nurse practitioner. Homeland is “the best place on earth to work,” but she plans to venture out and explore her career opportunities.

Her mother has no intention of stopping her.

“I don’t want to limit her,” Jennifer said. “I want her to fulfill her dreams. She has a life to live, and I want her to be able to do what’s in her heart.”

Homeland Infection Preventionist/ADON Latashia Simmons: Keeping residents safe

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Even as her job gets busier and she takes on more responsibilities, Latashia Simmons makes sure to spend time with Homeland Center’s residents.

“When I’m going around and seeing who needs vaccinations, that’s one way I can socialize,” she said. “I talk with the residents about movies or what they’re watching on TV. We talk about pets. Kids. Just anything.”

Latashia is a 13-year member of the Homeland family, recently promoted to the critical infection preventionist position. It’s a role she holds even as she continues as an assistant director of nursing, filling in when other ADONs go on vacation or take leave.

The infection prevention post opened in January 2024. At first, Latashia hesitated to apply because it meant adding more responsibilities to a plate already loaded with being ADON, earning her bachelor’s degree, and being a mom and wife.

She took the opportunity because she is a super-learner, always striving to build knowledge and reach the next career step. Infection prevention is a critical skill she’ll need if she decides to become a director of nursing someday.

“It is very, very challenging,” she said. “If there are some things I don’t know, I look to other resources to guide me.”

Sometimes, she’ll find the answer from other infection preventionists. She also knows she can turn to Homeland Director of Nursing Jennifer Tate-DeFreitas or President/CEO Barry Ramper II for help.

Latashia’s title describes her duties. If there is an infection case of any kind in a unit, she helps lead efforts to contain it and keep Homeland residents safe. She oversees vaccinations of all sorts — COVID, flu, pneumonia. She communicates with physicians and family members to receive clearances and ensure that appropriate care is delivered to each resident.

“The new project I’m working on is getting out shingle vaccines,” she said.

She expects to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing from U.S. University in 2025. Clinicals are coming soon, and she’s hoping to earn those field credits at Homeland.

Getting a bachelor’s degree is important to her.

“It’s always good to be more educated,” Latashia said. “In school, I’m writing a lot of papers on evidence-based practices, which ties into my work because a lot of the work in infection is evidence-based.”

Bulletins and news from the CDC and its Health Alert Network simplify staying on top of infection trends. From there, she maintains a never-ending learning loop to keep Homeland staff updated about infection-prevention practices.

“I try to stay out on the floors so people can see me and follow what I’m doing,” she said. “I try to set an example.”

Outside of work, Latashia’s four kids keep her busy. She is excited about becoming a first-time grandmother when her eldest son becomes a dad this summer.

Her 18-year-old son is taking an educational trip to Italy next year, which inspired an idea. She reached out and asked if family members could go. The answer was yes, so Latashia, her husband, and their two youngest children, ages 12 and 14, are going to Italy.

“I had to jump on that opportunity because I never really take time off,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to that.”

Latashia’s husband also works in the maintenance department at Homeland.

“He works the night shift, coming in at 7,” she said. “I do a lot of double shifts, so when I’m here until 11, I see him for a couple of hours.”

As she continues in her new role, Latashia expects to keep learning. As always, there’s one thing she loves about Homeland most of all.

“What I love is the residents,” she said. “I love socializing with them. They’re my family away from home.”

John Scunziano, Assistant Director of Dietary Services

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John Scunziano spent the first two decades of his career cooking for celebrities and high-end restaurants. Now that he’s cooking in health care, he says the work feels more meaningful.

“You’re going to have these residents three times a day, every day, no matter what,” he said. “They’re your biggest critics. You take what they say seriously. You look out for them like you’re cooking for your parents or your grandparents.”

Since joining the Homeland dietary department in early 2024, Scunziano has brought his knowledge of fresh foods and natural flavors to the kitchen – and a willingness to learn from the wisdom of residents and staff.

Scunziano, who grew up in Long Island with five older sisters, said he often cooked with his mother and grandmother, making sauce, meatballs, and pasta from scratch. His mother taught him to make cheesecake – which he has since honed to resident-favorite variations, including caramel shortbread, Oreo fudge, and pumpkin spice.

What’s the secret to a good cheesecake?

“Patience,” he said. “You’ve got to let it cook. Stop touching it. Stop checking on it. Use good cream cheese. Honestly, Philadelphia is the best. Your food is only as good as the ingredients.”

After graduating from culinary school, the next 25 years took him to hotels and restaurants all over Long Island and the Hamptons.

Doing every job that kitchens demanded, he found that cooking “ends up being the easy part.”

“You meet so many different personalities and people along the way,” he said. “I like figuring out how people work and how to work with them rather than trying to force them into a different way of working. There’s something to learn from everyone.”

There were 120-hour workweeks along the way, but he promised himself that he would shift gears if he ever married. That happened in 2000 when he married one of his sister’s friends. When their now 5-year-old daughter was born, he and his wife decided to leave New York and follow her parents to Ephrata.

In central Pennsylvania, Scunziano switched to working dietary and catering in large retirement settings.

“Working in health care, you’re more of a necessity,” he said. “You’re appreciated more because you’re not cooking for people with extra money to go out. They count on you for their lives.”

Moving to the Harrisburg area, he said Homeland offered the position – and environment – he wanted.

“There are people who’ve worked here for 20 or 25 years, so they must be doing something right to keep people here that long,” he said.

During his first weeks at Homeland, he listened to the residents and dietary team. Now, based on his experience, he is gradually introducing new menu items and processes.

Fresh foods and natural flavors are coming into play, such as honey for sweetening instead of sugar. There are fresh crab cakes and braised meats. Scalloped potatoes are made from scratch. The annual summer picnic featured fresh sweet corn.

“When you’re surrounded by farmland, if you’re not using fresh vegetables, it’s kind of a slap in the face,” he said.

Resident requests guide menu decisions.

“At this point in their lives, food is very much a comfort,” Scunziano said, adding he appreciates feedback. “It’s more than sustenance. It’s a social activity. It’s something they can look forward to. They like to know somebody’s listening to them.”

Scunziano can always tell when residents enjoy the day’s menu selection because requests decline for a grilled cheese or hamburger from the backup menu. At Homeland, it’s about committing to quality food that supports quality of life.

“When the food’s good and they’re anticipating it, residents are more excited about coming in for their meals,” he said. “Everyone here genuinely cares about the residents and their health, happiness, and well-being.”

Called to Serve Others: Meet Volunteer Coordinator Tamara Jaroszewski

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As a young woman, Tamara Jaroszewski of Harrisburg experienced the profound impact of hospice services when her sister died of breast cancer at age 40. For Tamara, hospice work became a beacon of hope and inspiration. She felt called to help patients during their end-of-life journey. Her call was recently answered when she joined Homeland’s Hospice team as the volunteer coordinator. Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit hospice program, serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

“I proudly do this work in honor of my sister,” Tamara says. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

Tamara joined Homeland after working as a volunteer coordinator for a large hospice organization that served a sizable region. Her work with Homeland gives Tamara the opportunity to build relationships with patients and their families and the dedicated cadre of hospice volunteers. Homeland’s life-changing work is made possible by volunteers who share their time and compassion with others. From working directly with patients to helping with administrative tasks, volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization.

“I am getting to know our volunteers personally,” Tamara adds. “I am overwhelmed by their kindness and dedication to our work.”

Many volunteers find personal satisfaction from the relationships formed through patient visits. Often, patients think of volunteers as an extension of their family. Tamara helps support these relationships and assists volunteers to ensure they feel supported in their roles. When a volunteer returned to her scheduled patient visits after a reprieve to grieve the death of her father, Tamara was by her side.

“I knew her first visit back could be difficult,” Tamara says. “We approached it as a team.”

While Tamara has been with Homeland for only a few months, she is impressed by the longevity of service and creativity volunteers bring to their work. Many individuals have dedicated years to the organization and continue to raise their hands to take on new and different projects to bring comfort to patients and their families.

Tamara is excited to see more people participate in My Life, My Legacy, which gives hospice patients an opportunity to tell their life story to a volunteer who records the responses and allows the family to add their thoughts and recollections, as well as photographs. The end result is a printed book for the patient to help him/her find peace, and pride in his/her life story. The book also helps families preserve memories after their loved one dies.

“The books are beautifully written,” Tamara adds. “Our volunteers put their heart and souls into these projects and it shows.”

As Tamara grows in her tenure with Homeland, she looks forward to shepherding new projects as they evolve to benefit patients. For her, each day is a new and wonderful opportunity to build on Homeland’s rich history of service.

“You know when you are in the right place,” Tamara says. “I feel I was destined to do this work.”

For more information on volunteer opportunities with Homeland Hospice, call Tamara at (717) 221-7890.

Homeland Director of Emergency Preparedness and Purchasing Kelly English: A passionate steward

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When buying Homeland equipment — from large purchases down to the right chair a resident needs to live and move comfortably — Kelly English makes one thing clear.

“I will never sacrifice quality to get a better price for something,” he said. “I’m never going to skimp on quality just to get a cheaper price.”

Kelly English joined Homeland in July 2023 in the dual role of Director of Emergency Preparedness and Purchasing. His career and degrees in law enforcement and homeland security prepared him for his crucial responsibilities in emergency preparedness. Still, he also takes his purchasing responsibilities seriously for their power to save money while upholding Homeland’s renowned quality and consistency in care.

English graduated from Penn State University, main campus, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He spent 20 years with the Harrisburg Police Department, retiring in July 2022. For 15 of those years, he was a detective handling the city’s bomb-detecting K9. The role familiarized him with the city’s institutions, including Homeland.

His immersion in homeland security training inspired him to earn a master’s degree in emergency management and homeland security, with a concentration in cybersecurity policy, from Arizona State University’s top-rated program. Upon retirement from policing, he started talking with Homeland about bringing his skills and passion here.

Since joining Homeland in July 2023, English has overseen upgrades that directly impact the lives and wallets of patients and their families. With his knowledge of emergency preparedness and security procedures, he procured systems that leverage the latest technology to ward off threats and protect residents, staff, and visitors of Homeland Center and Homeland at Home.

In purchasing, English has renegotiated contracts to enhance Homeland’s buying power and, by extension, save money for the families of residents. Recently renegotiating the contract for alternating pressure mattresses – a fundamental need to keep residents safe and healthy – he helped Homeland retain the same high-quality mattresses but brought down the monthly fees.

He also ensures that vendors share Homeland’s commitment to the residents and their quality of life. After joining Homeland, he scheduled one of his first meetings with a local medical device supplier who, he knew, could provide the necessary pieces at a moment’s notice.

“This is a 24/7 facility, and our residents can arrive at any time with a new condition that requires specialized equipment,” English said. “I need to know that 24 hours a day, I can get a hold of something no matter where it is. It goes back to never skimping on the quality of care for our residents, so I believe in creating relationships locally with businesses to ensure that the supply chain remains strong.”

The team at Homeland has welcomed him.

“It’s been great,” he said. “Everyone has been extremely welcoming. It is definitely a family atmosphere, which is nice. It’s very supportive. People have been very receptive to me and to what I can bring to the table. It’s a very, very good working environment.”

Outside of Homeland, English and his wife have two kids – a 15-year-old son who plays ice hockey including with the Hershey Jr. Bears and lacrosse, and a 17-year-old daughter who plays lacrosse and field hockey. The busy family lives on a 4-acre farm in the Hershey area. There, they raise pigs, sheep, chickens, and ducks.

The farm is his wife’s passion, but a team effort, caring for livestock – another 24/7 venture – and slaughtering and curing their charcuterie meats. About twice a year, they team with a pair of Ohio butchers who come to the farm and teach interested students, such as organic farmers, their traditional curing processes learned directly from elderly artisans throughout Europe.

English likes taking on challenges, embracing them with his role at Homeland.

“I definitely come to work every day with a passion to keep all of our residents and staff secure and try to make the next day better than the last,” he said. “There is a lot of support throughout central Pennsylvania for Homeland, and I want to be a good steward of that and help Homeland be around for many years to come.”

Bryan Richards, Homeland maintenance: Accentuating the positive

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Bryan Richards always arrives a half hour early every morning for his 11am – 7pm shift.

“I look forward to coming to work,” he said. “I’m ready to go. I’m ready to serve.”

Bryan joined Homeland Center’s maintenance department in April 2023, quickly finding his place on the team that keeps Homeland’s rooms comfortable and livable for the residents.

Bryan calls himself a jack-of-all-trades, with diverse professional and personal experiences from nursing to Civil War reenacting. From a life that started in adversity, he has carved a philosophy of self-sufficiency, tolerance, and faith.

Bryan grew up in Johnstown, the second of six children. After his youngest sibling was born, his mother was diagnosed with cancer. She died at age 31. Bryan, who had been her caregiver, was 12 years old.

By then, the family was living in Lebanon, and soon, the children went to different homes. Bryan lived in a Berks County, Bethany Childrens Home for Orphans until he was a high school junior when he went to a foster home. At 18, he left foster care to live with his godfather, a pastor who had been a father figure.

“I learned everything you could possibly learn from him – cooking, basic life skills,” Bryan said.

Early in his career, Bryan worked for Kinney’s shoes and modeled for JC Penney Catalog in advertisement. In 2005, he earned his nurse’s aide certificate and spent the next 15 years working in hospice settings.

“When you’re doing care for people and you’re around them constantly, they’re like family,” he said. “I always treated them like family, I joined their journey and they always treated me like family.”

But as Bryan will tell you, he feels everything deeply, and after a time, the challenges of hospice became too much. While deciding on his next steps, he worked at the historic Paxtang Cemetery, groundskeeping and digging graves.

“When I say I’m a jack-of-all-trades, I’ve gotten my hands dirty in many things I was willing to learn with,” he said. “I did the work with dignity and passion. I do that in all my work. I try to go above and beyond.”

He then did maintenance for a Lebanon County nursing home before joining Homeland. Here, his primary duties include caring for residents’ rooms. There are TVs to repair, light bulbs to replace, and pictures to hang.

“You do things like that, and they just think the world of you,” he said. “I love to serve people. I’m a people person. It makes you feel good that you did something nice for somebody, and they appreciate it.”

It’s a fun and welcoming work atmosphere, he adds. Everyone pitches in.

Outside of work, Bryan is just as busy. He and his partner live in a circa-1900 home in Steelton filled with antiques. He does woodworking gardening and plays with their two adorable fur baby poodle mixes, Aspen and Kali.

“I just love it,” he said. “I’m an old soul.”

His roots in reenacting began when he was 19 years old and saw a troop of Civil War reenactors – now called “living historians” – in a parade.

“History is important, so we’re not doomed to repeat it,” he said. “A lot of times, we do, but we try not to. They don’t teach our kids what the Civil War is about anymore. That’s where we come in and educate them, and they think it’s interesting.”

Today, he belongs to the 93rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which one of his distant relatives had fought in during the Civil War. He currently is an active member of the Sons of The Union Veterans Of the Civil War.  He didn’t know initially that his great-great-grandfather, Steven Lance, served in the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. And many numerous relatives.

Not only that, but he had a relative that fought in the battle of Cedar Creek, which today is the only battlefield where reenactors may skirmish on the original grounds. Bryan attends the annual reenactment there, sensing the ghosts of the past all around.

“You can feel the emotion,” he said. “I would get that feeling, and the chills. I would close my eyes and try to envision what they would have felt. It’s an emotional time.”

Bryan also bakes apple pies and peach cobblers. His sisters always ask him to make the pierogies he learned from his mother.

“I used to sit in the kitchen and watch her, and that’s how I learned,” he said.

His mother’s example has reminded him, throughout life, to “do something for yourself.”

“Move on, because my mother would want us to do that and be productive members of society,” he said.

Bryan doesn’t retire for another 21 years, but he hopes to make Homeland his “home away from home” for the rest of his career.

“It’s a small nonprofit. It’s family,” he said. “Everybody knows everybody around here. Most importantly, it’s about the people who live here. They deserve our respect because they’ve lived their lives.”