With Community’s Meet Community blog, you will have the opportunity to meet one of our staff members each month and get to know them with some fun questions.
Mother, grandmother and wife to her high school sweetheart, Kendle Howard, CNA, has a colorful history peppered with an ever-changing home address and a slew of professional experience ranging from automotive assembly line inspector to newspaper editor.
It may have taken some jumping around, but Kendle has finally found her calling at Community as a home care scheduler after graduating from Lower Columbia College last year with honors in Medical Office Administration.
Q&A
What inspired you to work for a hospice nonprofit?
I was taking classes at Lower Columbia College and one of my instructors suggested Community to me. She worked for Community as a nurse a long time ago and had nothing but good things to say about it. After working with Community, I have realized that I would love to retire from here.
What makes Community unique compared to other places you’ve worked?
On a professional level, Community employees care deeply for our patients and we are able to provide one-on-one care. This gives our patients the feeling of not being rushed and that they have our full attention. On a personal level, I feel like I am part of a huge family here at Community. Everyone cares for each other.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is being able to help family members and patients set up home care and knowing that we can help them in their times of need. Not all families have the opportunity to care for their loved ones the way they want to and that is what we are here for. It also helps our patients live at home rather than in a home.
What’s your favorite on-the-go snack while working?
Dutch Bros and apples.
Cats or dogs?
Dogs. I have three grandpups: Baleigh, a lab/pit who lives with my husband, mother-in-law and me; Loki, a Siberian Husky; and Oakley, a lab/pit. Loki and Oakley live with my daughters.
What’s your favorite hobby right now?
Since graduating from Lower Columbia College last year, I have found that I love doing 3D puzzles, helping plan my daughters’ weddings, and going on long day trip drives.
What’s your favorite book?
Cookbooks and most anything by Stephen King.
What’s your karaoke song?
It depends on the mood I am in, but it would be anything from Phantom of the Opera or “You Should See Me in a Crown”. Noise cancelling ear plugs for the audience would be required.
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
“May explode under intense pressure,” “She’s an open book,” and “Watch out for sarcasm.”
Tea or coffee?
Coffee
