On August 13, representatives from LeadingAge New York will visit our Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Cneter to present a special award to one of the longest-tenured employees on the Campus – Mary King. She will be one of a few nursing home employees across the state to receive this year’s Employee of Distinction Award.

Mary King joined The Brothers of Mercy in 1983 as a CNA on our rehabilitation household, where she worked for eight years. She initially worked as a building floater on the second shift for six months until a day‑shift position became available. In 1991, she transitioned to the role of Unit Clerk on the third floor of the Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where she has continued to serve ever since.

Mary is a versatile and dependable team member who has served as Unit Clerk on both the second and third floors. She is most at home on the third floor, where she is comfortable with the pace and routines of the unit. Throughout her more than four decades of service, Mary has trained many nurse managers and employees and was even responsible for training our House Superior, Brother Kenneth Thomas, as a Unit Clerk many years ago. She has been recognized as Employee of the Month and takes pride in teaching new staff about The Brothers’ culture and traditions. Mary is known for her precision and dedication to doing things the right way, never taking shortcuts even when the work requires extra time.

Mary has consistently gone above and beyond her job responsibilities, especially during severe Western New York snowstorms. On two occasions during driving bans, she remained at the Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center overnight to ensure operations continued smoothly, even sleeping on a cot in the physical therapy room when necessary. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, Mary took on additional responsibilities, including logging vaccines and assisting with regulatory tracking requirements, while continuing to support multiple units. She is always willing to provide guidance to colleagues who seek her input and remains a humble, behind‑the‑scenes contributor who exemplifies dedication and professionalism.

Outside of work, Mary remains active in her community through the Darien Senior Center. She regularly participates in events and excursions and volunteers her time to support fellow seniors. Her willingness to help others reflects the same compassion and commitment she demonstrates every day in her work at The Brothers of Mercy.