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The residents of Donalson have given Sullivan a special nickname: \u201cthe lotion lady.\u201d She always carries a bottle of lotion in her pocket, ready to massage the hands and arms of residents who have dry skin or simply need that human touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne resident always asks me, \u2018Jennifer, have you got that lotion today? You\u2019re the only one that does that for me. I just love it when I see you come through the door,\u2019 and things like that keep me going,\u201d Sullivan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gloria Armstrong, Sullivan\u2019s co-worker, said everyone knows Sullivan as the one who lotions the residents\u2019 hands, feet,
or legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the little extra touches and effort that really help someone feel special,\u201d Armstrong said. \u201cShe has a very giving heart for her patients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sullivan also treasures listening to the beautiful stories her patients share with her about their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just amazing what you hear,\u201d Sullivan said. \u201cThey have stories about their life and their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. It\u2019s just so sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sullivan said anyone considering a career as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) needs to be sure they do not just have the academic ability, but the nurturing compassion that is necessary every single day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to have a heart of gold,\u201d Sullivan said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to treat them like your own mother or father, and you\u2019ve got to have compassion. You have got to have it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CNAs provide constant care, and many patients need help with bathing, eating, and other basic needs. Sullivan said this job requires a lot of strength and patience, but she would not want to do anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once, she and Armstrong were visiting with a resident, and the woman thanked them for lifting her spirits. From the hallway, Sullivan heard the woman\u2019s voice rise in prayer behind the door, saying, \u201cLord, touch these two beautiful souls for touching my spirit today and making me laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sullivan and Armstrong stood at the doorway with tears in their eyes, realizing that she was praying for them because they had made her smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis right here is what brings me here every day,\u201d Sullivan said. \u201cI love just to make somebody smile and laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the leadership of Administrator Brad Hinton, Donalson continues to prioritize hiring compassionate caregivers who share Sullivan\u2019s philosophy. The care center offers activities like bingo and music programs, and welcomes visits from anyone interested in bringing joy to its residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLittle kids always put a big smile on their faces,\u201d Sullivan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the holidays, Donalson accepts donations of items that make daily care more comfortable, such as lotion (fragrance-free for sensitive skin), jogging suits, socks, Kleenex, gowns, and pajamas. Sullivan works to make sure all her residents have what they need and feel comfortable. She has lived in Fayetteville her entire life and is grateful to work with and care for the people in this town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe community is so perfect,\u201d Sullivan said. \u201cThe people are so nice. If something happens, they\u2019re always coming together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sullivan lives in Fayetteville with her husband, Brad Sullivan, a captain at the Fayetteville Fire Department. Together, they\u2019ve raised two children, Tyler and Ashley Sullivan, and they have four grandbabies. Sullivan has deep roots in Fayetteville, and she plans to continue serving the community she loves. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This story is sponsored content.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" JENNIFER SULLIVAN was just 17 years old when her beloved aunt, Betty Gordon, invited her to work at Lincoln-Donalson Care Center, a nursing home facility in Fayetteville. What started as a part-time job turned into a lifelong calling as she worked alongside her aunt. Both women shared a natural gift for nurturing and caring for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":24888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/4-2-1024x683.jpg\")
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