Tecla Welch and Kola Adetola are Leading the Way in Nursing Care

Tecla Welch’s dream came true

In the small village of Kisii in Kenya, where there was no electricity or technology, there was a nurse who managed a “dispensary.” She held the highest rank in the village and was the most respected person who lived there. There was also a young girl in the village, who dreamed of being a nurse so she too would be highly respected. 

Tecla Welch, RN, BSN is that little girl. As the highly respected Director of Health Services at Catholic Eldercare, Tecla oversees assisted living and memory care at RiverVillage East, and the MainStreet Lodge assisted living community. She manages five nurses, one LPN, and 56 home health aides. She is also in charge of training and education, and making sure both communities are compliant with Minnesota Dept of Health regulations. 

“The moment I walked into Catholic Eldercare, it felt like home,” Tecla says fondly. “We’re a family of residents, staff and management. This is not a cliché. We’re a family, from the CEO on down, and I can feel it when I walk in the door.” Tecla also loves the people in her care. “They are humble, and they treat each other with respect and dignity.” 

Autonomy is important to Tecla, and she has it at CEC. “I’m able to identify areas we can work on to improve and take the initiative to make changes that improve care and quality of life for residents,” she says. The same is true for staff. “I listen to my staff, take their suggestions, and make necessary changes accordingly. They appreciate that I listen and respond, and as a result, I think people will stay because they’re happy working here.” 

Tecla has accomplished many things at CEC, but she is most proud of making it possible for residents to age in place. “Moving elderly residents from place to place is detrimental because they experience confusion and disorientation,” she explains. With a commitment to keeping a resident who had become immobile in the assisted living apartment she shared with her husband, Tecla trained her staff how to use a mechanical lift. “The husband was deeply committed to caring for his wife, so we couldn’t separate them. My staff learned how to provide the more extensive care the resident needed, so the couple could stay together. We do everything we can for our residents.” 

Hard work and dedication results in a big promotion for Kola Adetola, RN, BSN

A diversity visa lottery program brought Adekola (Kola) Adetola to the United States from Nigeria 22 years ago. He completed certified nursing assistant training and started working at Catholic Eldercare. Tuition reimbursement scholarships from CEC made it possible for Kola to become a trained medication aid (TMA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and earn his bachelor of science degree in nursing. Kola worked his way up to nurse manager, and last month, he was promoted to Director of Nursing, overseeing the Albert J. Hofstede Care Center.

Kola is happy about the promotion but says he has mixed emotions on taking the role. “Carla Frantz, my friend and boss, is retiring after 36 years, and I’m aware that I’m stepping into big shoes in taking her position. I am hopeful that I can carry on the legacy that Carla has cultivated, and I look forward to working together with everyone to do it.” 

Like Tecla, Kola has found a work family at CEC. “People know me well here, and as soon as we enter the building, we forget our problems. We look around and see people who have been here for decades, and together we keep going, as we did during Covid.” Kola credits a sharing of values for creating the family atmosphere. “We are here to care for residents, and to care for each other.” 

Building on Carla’s legacy and making sure everyone feels included are top priorities for Kola.

“I believe in teamwork, and I want to bring everyone together. No one can do it alone.” Kola is grateful for his CNA and TNA experience and believes it makes him a better leader. “I know how hard they work, and the importance of their work, and I loved climbing the ladder to where I am today.” 

Kola loves caring for elderly people, as his did as a young man in Nigeria, and he says he gets a lot in return. “Giving joy to our residents gives me joy.” 

Our thanks to Tecla and Kola for their dedication to residents of Catholic Eldercare, and the value they bring to our organization.