Meet Trista Roque, a Marketing Coordinator at Old Cheney Rehabilitation (oldcheneyrehab.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – We are a short-term rehabilitation facility. Our goal is to get individuals “from here to home” after they have had an illness, accident or surgical procedure that requires to get them additional therapy or skilled nursing services to safely return home after discharge from the hospital.
How did you get started in the business? – I have been in long term care/ rehabilitation since 2010. I knew I always wanted to be a nurse growing up. However, it was always a goal to be an ER nurse or OB nurse. My last year of nursing school hospital nurse positions with an ADN was hard to come by. So, I landed at Madonna. An amazing first nursing job experience, however my schedule with being a new mom that caused me to slow down. In which I went over to long term care. I have not left the field since. I love what I get to do in creating relationships with individuals.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – COVID-19. We are still in a recovery phase as staffing and burn-out in our profession is at an all-time high. Which makes working in healthcare in general much more difficult.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Graduating from nursing school in 2010.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have three daughters ages four, 11, 13. They all keep me very busy with afterschool activities.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I’ll never turn down an afternoon of retail therapy… and of course spending free time with my kiddos.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “Leave people better than you found them.”
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – From Finding Nemo; “Just Keep Swimming.”
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? – Everything that Mary Poppins has; Magic to clean rooms quickly. And a large bag that I can store everything in, and quickly retrieve things from. Last- to get kiddos to take medicine at ease… “Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down”.
Which talent would you most like to have? – I have always wanted to be able to sit down at a piano and just play. I traded lessons for babysitting as a kid for a few years, but it was never enough to read any music.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Alzheimer’s Association. My mom has early on set Dementia, and going to support groups and partnering with others has been such a huge asset to my dad and family. American Heart Association. I have cared for numerous individuals recovering from having a stroke, there could not raise enough awareness for prevention in Heart health.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?– That’s a tossup between Atomic Habits and The Power of Discipline.
What is your favorite local Lincoln restaurant? – Ginger.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – 5431 S 16th Street | (531) 739-3200 | oldcheneyrehab.com