Photo by Eric Keith / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

Katherine Bruns, receptionist for Slayton Chiropractic, is a regional finalist in the Oldre Worker of the year contest

Katherine Bruns realized it was time for her to take action after she was laid off from her job five years ago.

“I knew I needed to do something,” she said.

Ms. Bruns has now come full circle since that difficult period. She was recently selected as a regional finalist for Missouri’s 19th Annual Older Worker of the Year contest, competing with 12 other people for the title. She is the office manager for Slayton Chiropractic Health Center in St. Joseph.

She earned a certificate of recognition from the Missouri Senior Employment Coordinating Committee, the program’s sponsor, signifying attributes and contributions as an older adult in the state’s work force. Finalists were recognized in Jefferson City, Mo., with Richard Breidenbaugh of Clay County named as winner.

The August nomination was a shock to Ms. Bruns, who said her initial reaction also consisted of “disbelief ... I never expected to win.”

The Mo-Kan Regional Council and Missouri Career Center assisted her in obtaining employment after the layoff. Melissa Whitaker, a career counselor in the agencies’ dislocated worker program, was involved in the nomination and determined that Ms. Bruns fit criteria for the honor.

“I kind of inherited her,” she said.

The assistance led Ms. Bruns to receive an associate’s degree in business from Missouri Western State University in May. “I had always been in business,” she said.

Attending college classes became possible through a program that paid tuition for students 60 and older. She continued working part-time, even while taking classes.

“It took me five years, but I got it,” Ms. Bruns said of the degree.

She landed the job at Slayton Chiropractic with the help of a friend who had earlier worked at the office. She has been with Dr. John Slayton’s practice for four years.

“I think that’s pretty terrific,” he said of the award. “I like the job she does in here. It’s a job that requires many hats.”

Most of the enjoyment from the job is derived from the interactions at the office, Ms. Bruns said.

“I actually enjoy talking to the patients and finding out their physical and mental attitude,” she said.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.