40 Years of Caring at Concordia: Carol Matis

President and CEO Keith E. Frndak proclaimed the week of July 31, 2023 as Carol Matis Week at Concordia in recognition of her 40 years of service.

Carol Matis accepted her job as an LPN charge nurse at Concordia – her first job ever, apart from babysitting – when she was just 19 years old.

“I didn’t have a car at the time, so my mom was driving me around helping me look for a job,” Carol said. “We almost passed by Concordia because we didn’t know it was here. I’m so happy we didn’t. I was a nervous wreck during my interview, but it was basically just me being told what my duties would be. I started right away – I guess it was just kind of fate.”

Her first day was Aug. 2, 1983, and she was mentored by many coworkers and eventually advanced within the organization. She went back to school to become an RN, earned AANAC credentials, filled in as temporary DON, worked in staff development and education, served as an infection control nurse and currently holds the role of corporate RNAC.

“Working at Concordia has shown me that I can do more than I think I can,” she said. “I have learned so much from so many people here – especially how to be patient.”

While she works on the assessment side of nursing now, one of her favorite memories from her career is from her early days as an LPN.

“Back then, on Sundays I would usually have extra time to spend with all of my residents,” she remembered. “I helped some of the ladies put on makeup before their families came for a visit, put on music for others and also just got to spend more one-on-one time with everyone. That’s an important memory for me.”

Carol is grateful to work at a faith-based organization that values caring and empathy.

“Working here has become a huge part of my identity,” she said. “I basically feel like I grew up here, and the fact that Concordia is faith-based is a huge benefit. I’ve been treated very well here – 40 years have gone by in the blink of an eye!”

Employees like Carol are one of the main reasons why Concordia remains strong and committed to faithful caring. Thank you for all your hard work, Carol!

Learn more about career opportunities at Concordia by visiting us at www.ConcordiaCareers.org!

Founded in 1881, Concordia Lutheran Ministries is a faith-based, CARF-accredited Aging Services Network and recipient of the inaugural Pennsylvania Department of Aging Excellence in Quality Care Award. As one of the largest nonprofit senior care providers in the country, the organization serves 50,000 people annually through in-home care and inpatient locations in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and Tampa, Florida.