Maria Montelongo, a Trained Medication Aide at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center, holds up the award she recently received from LeadingAge Minnesota. Montelongo was named a regional Caregiver of the Year last week. Holly Mellendorf, nursing services director at Morningside Heights, said residents, families and co-workers all nominated Montelongo for the award.

MARSHALL — Maria Montelongo said every person she helps care for is special.

“To me, all my residents are my number one,” said Montelongo, a trained medication aide at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center. “My main thing is when I focus on them, my residents and then the families,” she said.

Montelongo’s focus on people was something co-workers and Morningside Heights residents said set her apart. Last week, Montelongo was named a regional Caregiver of the Year by LeadingAge Minnesota.

Montelongo said the credit wasn’t all hers.

“I’m here for my residents and my co-workers. I couldn’t be here without them,” she said. “I work with wonderful, wonderful human beings . . . They made me who I am.”

LeadingAge Minnesota is a network of organizations that serve older adults in Minnesota. As part of the LeadingAge Minnesota Institute & Expo last week, caregivers from different regions of the state were recognized for showing exceptional commitment to the people under their care.

“Maria is the epitome of a caregiver, and we are thrilled to see her recognized in this way for the tremendous impact she makes,” said Tracy Deutz, long-term care administrator and vice president of operations at Avera Marshall.

Holly Mellendorf, director of nursing at Morningside Heights, said Montelongo’s nomination for Caregiver of the Year had support from more than 20 co-workers, Morningside Heights residents, and family members.

In the nomination, one resident shared, “The first time I met Maria, she gave me the biggest hug and said, ‘I’m going to be so proud to work with you.’ She makes me feel better every time I see her. We have the best time. She’s truly one in a million.”

Montelongo said it was partly through “the grace of God” that she started working as a caregiver.

“I always think there’s a creator up there and looking ahead of us,” she said.

Montelongo is a resident of Minneota, where she used to work at the Schott electronics business. When Schott moved out of Minneota, Montelongo said a good friend encouraged her to apply to work at Minneota Manor.

“I said, ‘Well, I’m kind of scared. First of all, I’m not even speaking English good.’ She said, ‘Well, you try it,'” Montelongo said. “I think every new experience is kind of scary, but you just gotta face it. And so I did.”

Montelongo took Certified Nursing Assistant training, and found she loved the job.

“I think from day one, I knew that that’s what I want to do,” she said. “I just feel comfortable.”

Montelongo worked at Minneota Manor for almost 26 years, and has worked at Morningside Heights since April 2023.

“I love my job. I love working with human beings,” Montelongo said of working with residents at both facilities. “They have a soul. They have a spirit, you know, and I couldn’t be here without them.” Montelongo said she’s learned a lot from the people she cares for. “They’re my inspiration,” she said.

Montelongo said she likes to get to know the residents, and encourages other staff to do the same.

“I always tell the girls, you know, make a stop and listen. Ask them about, what did you used to do? What do you like? Even people with dementia,” she said. Montelongo said she asks families what their loved ones’ interests are, and uses that information to start conversations. She also likes to do fun things like dance together with residents, or celebrate birthdays.

Montelongo said she couldn’t do her job without her co-workers and administrators. The staff at Morningside Heights were like family, she said.

“What I really like is, when we have some kind of shortage of staff or anything, we all pitch in,” she said. “When it’s a situation, we are shoulder to shoulder. We hold the place together. We’ve gotta make sure our residents are taken care of.”

Everyone working at Morningside Heights, from CNAs to housekeeping staff, are all there for the same reason, she said.

Montelongo said it was exciting to accept the award at the LeadingAge Minnesota expo in St. Paul.

“I really thank my (Director of Nursing), the administrators, everybody here,” Montelongo said. “I was very surprised – and the thing is, all the residents kept it a secret. They knew and they don’t say anything,” she said.

“They were very proud. One of my residents said he wanted to bring the pickup and take me to the Cities, because he was very worried that I don’t know how to drive in the Cities,” Montelongo said. She brought back the award, and video and photos from the event to show residents.

“So they feel like part of the family,” she said. “We’re just a family with the ups and downs. We’re not perfect, but this is a good place. Avera is a good place to work because they support each other in the good and bad.”