Kathryn Brock, a nursing assistant at White Oak Manor-Tryon, was honored in Asheville Tuesday evening as one of 50 outstanding nursing facility employees from across the state. This recognition program is sponsored by the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association.

North Carolina House of Representatives, Jane Whilden, presented Brock with a plaque from the governor which recognized her excellence in the field. Ms. Brock has worked at White Oak Manor-Tryon since 2001 as both a nursing assistant and transportation aide responsible for taking residents to doctors appointments.

Brock was nominated by White Oak Manor-Tryon because of her concern for the residents and for giving of herself to others far beyond what is expected.

For several years she has organized and decorated a float for the Christmas parade as well as providing outside lighted decorations for the residents to view from their windows.

She has been a moving force behind the very successful Relay for Life campaigns in the facility. She enjoys being with residents and likes especially the times when she can spend one-on-one time with them.

This is one reason she enjoyed doing transportation, talking with residents as they traveled. Another of those times finds her at the bedside of those in the dying process, often coming in after hours to be with them.

Brock sums up why she is a nursing assistant this way: I love my CNA job so well that I would not trade it for an RN or LPN job because I love taking care of my residents. I am there for them when they really need me. I want to help people. It makes me feel good, and it is why the Lord put me on this earth.

Brock is the fourth employee of White Oak Manor-Tryon to be honored as one of the Fabulous Fifty.