Written by Patricia Wagner

She's very pretty, has a beautiful smile, an infectious laugh, a warm personality, and an amazing rapport with residents with whom she works at Kramm Healthcare/Rehabilitation. Her given name is Mary Margaret, but as the youngest of nine children her dad called her his "Little Miss." She's been called Missy ever since. With her own two daughters, Gracie and Erin, five sisters, two brothers (brother Patrick is deceased), four nieces, thirteen nephews, one great niece, and two great nephews there's never a dull moment when this close knit family visit together at least once a month.

Missy graduated from Shikellamy High School (Sunbury, PA) in 1990. She served on the Student Council for four years, was treasurer of that organization, enjoyed all the social activities, and made many "best" friends. After graduating from high school, Missy enrolled at College Misericordia (...now Misericordia University) in Dallas, PA. Four years later, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Her career as an OTR/L (Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed) began in an acute/sub-acute facility, Nittany Valley Rehab in State College. She also worked at Geisinger Medical Center and contracted her services in other long-term care facilities. In June, 2002 she came to Kramm's as a Genesis Employee where she puts her thirteen years of experience to good use. Her work includes assisting residents in returning to a functional level with all the activities and daily living. This includes upper extremity range of motion and strength, training residents in the use of adaptive equipment for eating, dressing, and personal hygiene, as well as wheelchair safety, safety training, and home evaluations prior to being discharged. She has completed a variety of continuing education courses and is PAM (Physical Agent Modalities) certified in the use of pain relieving modalities such as short-wave diathermy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation. The best part of her job is, "...seeing someone walk out of here and go home."

Missy's best times are with daughters Gracie and Erin. Gracie, 5, attends pre-school at Meadowbrook and Erin, 8, is a second grade student at Kelly Elementary School in Lewisburg. Gracie's favorite activity is playing with doll babies; Erin loves to play soccer and basketball, enjoys drawing and spending time with her cousin Michael, a third-grader at Kelly Elementary. The girls had a glorious vacation at Disneyland where Missy saw her daughters, "...smile from ear to ear for three days straight."

When she has the time, Missy likes to exercise, go camping, see a good movie like "The Notebook", read a good novel such as "The Shack" and travel. A weekend in New York City not long ago was highlighted by the Broadway show "Mamma Mia" and a cosmetic makeover at Saks Fifth Avenue. She likes to cook and says her favorite foods are spaghetti, scallops, and any kind of pasta. She watches The Bachelor and Two-And-A-Half Men on TV, drives a Toyota Sienna mini-van, looks forward to Spring every year and always says her dream vacation would be a trip to Hawaii. When I asked Missy to tell me about one person she has admired the most, she answered without hesitation, "My Mom. She was very patient, beautiful, and smart. When I was in tenth grade, I wondered how she knew just what to do when I had a problem with something. She said, 'This is the 10th time I've been in 10th grade!'" Missy truly enjoys her work at Kramm Healthcare Center. She has high praise for Shaun Bartlow, PT, Program Manager of the Therapy Department, saying, "Shaun is such a great role model. The best part of working here", she adds, "is the love that everyone shows for the residents." -P.W.