Heron Manor & Heron Woods
Team Player
For 33 years, Kim Murphy has added her unique fingerprints to the life journeys of senior adults, an often-marginalized population. She believes her residents don’t live in a facility, but rather she’s a guest in their home, an honor she doesn’t take lightly. Kim is passionate about encouraging people to fill their days with laughter, learning and joy, and is often described as the glue that holds things together, an especially difficult task during COVID. Her strengths are her creativity and ability to build a sense of community among family members, staff and those in her care. She has hosted a consortium for many years helping other activity coordinators in the West Michigan area to excel in their positions, as well. Her desire is to serve in love, and do it with grace.
Kim says, “I love synchronizing my efforts with other equally gifted people to provide ‘wow!’ service and create memory making moments for the residents I serve. At the end of the day, I love the satisfaction of knowing that as a team, we made a difference in turning daily routine into an adventure.”
Kim Murphy
- Details
- Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2023
From this issue
Kathleen B. Vogelsang, CFA, is a true believer in remembering where you come from. A first-generation college graduate and non-traditional student, she earned her MBA and CFA designation while raising three children and working full-time. “I started out from very humble beginnings, nothing came easy,” Vogelsang said. “I was the first one in my family to go to college and paid my own way through, starting with community college. I don't ever want to lose sight of who I am; I'm still just humble little me—no matter how many awards I get. [What matters] is who I am … someone who’s trying to do the right thing and be a good person.”
Shelley Irwin is the Host and Producer for The Shelley Irwin Show, a newsmagazine talk-show on the local NPR WGVU affiliate Monday through Friday. She also hosts several public affairs TV programs and is award-winning in her profession and beyond. Irwin also gives generously of her time, volunteering with various community organizations. In addition, she’s represented the U.S. in Long Distance Triathlon and Duathlon World Championships. Irwin is the fourth recipient of the West Michigan Woman Legacy of Brilliance Award, an honor created as part of the annual Brilliance Awards, which recognizes a woman who for years has given of herself, personally and professionally, to better the lives of those around her. We caught up with Irwin to get her perspective on her work and what advice she has for others.
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