Team Member Spotlight: Garrett Serio

What is your job title?

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Developmental Disabilities Certified (DDC) 

How long have you been with Penn-Mar? 

16 years between Change and Penn-Mar (Change merged with Penn-Mar in 2019)

How did you get connected with Penn-Mar? 

When I was working at Change, I was approached by Patrick, the Residential Supervisor at a residential home, about an open position. 

What was your previous work experience prior to Penn-Mar and how did it prepare you for your current role? 

While I was in high school, all my service hours came from assisting my mom in teaching adults with developmental disabilities how to cook, garden, and shop using nutrition labels as a guide for healthy eating. That experience led me directly into working in the developmental disabilities field, beginning at Change, then to Penn-Mar as a Senior Residential Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse at a residential home, and currently, the Maryland LPN for Penn-Mar.  

Each step helped prepare me for my current role in different ways. I have learned: 

• That the importance of communication between individuals, DSPs, families, nursing, administration, providers, and hospitals in providing a good continuity of care 

• That proper organization and documentation can ensure that the individuals we support are able to receive the funding and services that they need to live their lives the way that they want 

• That education on the medical aspect of the care that we provide is essential to ensuring that the individuals we support are safe, healthy, and can be supported in making the best possible health decisions for themselves 

• That forming connections with the people that you support can help a DSP identify changes early, especially if an individual communicates in a non-traditional way, and assist them in getting the care that they need 

• That something as simple as sitting down and having a conversation with someone or sharing a smile can make someone’s whole day

What does your work entail? 

My work currently entails: 

• Supporting DSPs with using internal information management systems to update medical records 

• Ensuring paperwork is up to date and appointments have been completed 

• Ensuring medications that have been ordered are in the home, not expired, and administered properly 

• Supporting DSPs with education and training 

• Providing assistance with advocacy at hospitals and discharges from hospitals 

• Assisting the delegating nurse with tasks that DSPs cannot perform 

• Connecting Penn-Mar with outside providers to provide services to the individuals we support 

• Identifying areas of need within the programs 

What’s an average day like for you? 

I do not currently have an average day; every day is different based on the needs of the programs. Some days I spend a lot of time on administrative work, other days I go from program to program to assess the books and medications or to complete training.

What’s one thing you wish people realized about your job? 

That my goal is to help, to make things easier for the DSPs so they can focus on supporting the individuals in their programs without having to take a lot of time trying to find paperwork or medications. 

In another life, your career path is . . .  

An aviation mechanic 

Why is Penn-Mar’s mission important to you?  

Penn-Mar’s mission is important to me because I firmly believe that people with IDD should be able to live the lives they want and should be supported to make that happen. Penn-Mar’s commitment to all aspects of support helps the individuals we support do exactly that. 

What’s one thing you wished the general public knew about people with IDD? 

I wish that the general public knew that you can learn so much about life and happiness from people with IDD, and that spending time with the individuals we support can improve your life in the best way. 

What is your favorite quote or mantra? 

“Giving up is not in the blood, sir. It’s not in the blood.” – Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja 

Any hidden talents or fun facts someone wouldn’t know about you? 

That I enjoy learning new things everyday. 

If you could travel anywhere in the world, you’d visit . . .  

The Himalayas or Karakoram, which will soon be a reality. I am currently planning a trip to trek to Everest base camp with my kids once I graduate from my BSN program.  

In your spare time, you’ll be found . . .  

Reading a wide range of genres or at a Hershey Bears game. 

A book, movie, TV show, sports team, etc. you love: 

Hershey Bears and Navy 

Something fun, interesting, or meaningful about yourself: 

I am a member of the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association and have earned my DDC (developmental disabilities certified) certification.