Having now met Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Seth Frimpong and being blessed to call Charles “Chuck” A. Ritchey friend and colleague before his untimely death, I know that Chuck would have been impressed by Seth.
Seth Frimpong, GNA, is a dedicated healthcare hero at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington on the Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC) campus. He exemplifies all that is great about our healthcare sector, our HFAM community, and the team and community at CESLC.
Seth inspires me. Relatively new to United States, he was working at a Chick-fil-A. His co-workers and managers loved him -- his hard work ethic, spirit, reliability, and steadfast dedication to his faith. So, when Seth told his team he would be leaving his job to become a GNA, they begged him not to go. It was a hard decision to leave a good-paying job where he was loved, but Seth felt a calling to begin a career in healthcare.
As he was studying, Seth had his eyes set on and dreamed of working at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington. Upon graduation, he applied to work there but was initially turned down for lack of experience.
Undeterred, Seth took a job as a GNA at a different skilled nursing and rehabilitation center. Seth became a seasoned professional GNA while applying what he learned in training while working at that other center. After a time, he went back to the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington and was hired on the spot.
At Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, Seth is an all-star member of the team because of the love, faith, and professionalism he brings to his caregiving. He is often called upon to work with and care for patients and residents with the highest clinical needs—which he does with skill, professionalism, and empathy.
During the darkest days of our fight against COVID-19, Seth and his colleagues sacrificed so much of themselves to keep residents and patients safe. They were not only caregivers but family in a time when it was needed most.
Seth and his colleagues were the ones holding hands and providing comfort in difficult times. He and his fellow healthcare heroes were there to celebrate and encourage each other in better times.
As we say in my faith, Charles “Chuck” A. Ritchey was a mensch! He was a fantastic person and a beloved son, father, and friend. And he was genuinely committed to quality care in our sector and dedicated to helping those in our field advance in their jobs and further their studies.
He would have loved, admired, and supported Seth and would be cheering Seth on as he studies to become a registered nurse. I feel so honored that we can support Seth in Chuck’s name.
Be well,
