CULTIVATING WELLNESS


Anna Frederick took a roundabout route to BECOMING A NURSE AT LANDIS HOMES.


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riginally from Maryland, Anna didn’t feel ready for college right after high school. “God led me on another path,” she said. “He knew I was interested in missions and that nursing could lead me where I wanted to go. So I worked for another year


and then applied to several nursing schools, landing at Eastern Mennonite College (now University) when they didn’t even have a nursing program.”


Anna really wanted to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. “I entered EMC with several other potential nursing students. Te college then established a program. In order to pay for school, I applied to become a school nurse. While I was a school nurse, I met many people who are now Landis Homes residents.”


Anna’s nursing journey continued after she got married to Jacob Frederick. Even after moving to Philadelphia, PA, supporting Jacob through his ministry as a pastor, and having six children, she still pursued nursing.


“I had a dream to be in public health nursing. But while living in Philly, I became familiar with older mission workers and the establishment of Landis Homes. I applied to Landis Homes and I started as the night supervisor when George Leaman was the Administrator. I had to sterilize the nursing equipment every night, check for leaks in the basement because there was no night watchman, and make rounds. I found geriatrics to be very rewarding and not just grumpy old people!”


Anna worked the nightshift for nine years and then finally switched to daytime. She began in 1972 and worked as a nurse for over 20 years at Landis Homes. After she retired, she and her late husband, Jacob, became residents. Since then, Anna has experienced loss, remarriage, and loss once more. She has watched Landis Homes grow and change.


“One thing that sets Landis Homes apart from other communities is the high standards. I always said I hope they uphold the high standards in nursing when I retire because I want to live here, and now I have for a long time!”


14 • Landis.org | FLOURISH | Fall 2025


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