Leesburg's Heritage Hall honors beloved director of nursing

“I came here to interview and it was like I was home,” Winemiller told the Times-Mirror. “It was where I was supposed to be.”

She started out as a unit manager in the 164-bed facility which provides skilled medical care, she said, and evolved into the position of nursing director.

Besides caring for her patients, one of Winemiller’s primary goals is to create a fun work environment where the staff consider themselves like family to each other. For instance, staff will sometimes dress up in costume and roller blading through the hallways.

“We like to do fun things so people think you are relatable,” she said. “We always do what is best for the patient, that is number one here.”

The past two years have been very difficult working on the front lines during pandemic, she said.

“I thought I had seen a lot, but COVID is another animal.” Winemiller said. “The last two years have been the most challenging times.”

“It has been like working in a war zone,” she said. “The staff here are heroes.”

Not only has she worked tirelessly in the COVID unit at Heritage Hall, but she herself contracted COVID-19 three times.

Winemiller’s fellow team members recently held a surprise party celebrating her 25 years of leadership.

“Watching how she leads, you never have to worry about her department,” said Heritage Hall Administrator Natalie Largent. “It helps me put focus elsewhere.”

“She invests her energy and time not just in a professional way, but personal,” another co-worker echoed.

“They are worth it,” Winemiller said. “I’m very lucky and this is home to me.”