ēCO Credit Union has a strong commitment to the communities where our members live, work and play. Through the #ēCOmmunity program, we are proud to recognize people and community groups who go above and beyond for their community. Each month in 2020, members of the community who embody the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People” will be nominated by ēCO employees to be “Credit Unioned.”
For April, we asked the community to help us honor a person or group working in the medical field. We have all seen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those working on the frontlines are truly embodying the credit union philosophy, and we want to do our part to show our appreciation as they work tirelessly to keep us safe and healthy. After receiving several nominations, we randomly selected Roderick Watkins, the Administrator for Rehab Select at Shelby Ridge, as our #ēCOmmunity recipient for April. 
Keyla Handley, who nominated Mr. Watkins to be “Credit Unioned” says, “I nominated Roderick because he is a great leader in Shelby County, and I know he really loves his staff and residents. I think if he had not been so busy he would have nominated his staff just as a pick me up. He is such a great leader, and we are fortunate to have him in Shelby County”.
Roderick Watkins has been working with Rehab Select at Shelby Ridge, located in Alabaster, Alabama, for approximately seven years and says he has a passion for taking care of the elderly people in his community. Rehab Select at Shelby Ridge is a multifunctional facility that has a long-term care program, along with an intensive rehab program. Watkins says, “we pride ourselves on people being able to come to us to get the care they need, and then hopefully, we can get them back home where they can be happy at their own homes”.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has really hurt the skilled nursing world. Our patients are suffering the worst because of all of the restrictions we have had to put in place just to keep them safe. It’s not only about taking care of the body but taking care of the soul. Right now, it’s really affected the way we care for people’s personal lives, their personalities, and their souls,” says Watkins.
Watkins truly embodies the “People Helping People” philosophy. “Roderick works with elderly and their families, and he always goes above and beyond to make sure everyone in his facility is taken care of. He also prioritizes ensuring families know their loved one is being cared for. He always has the best interest of others at heart, even when that meant making a hard decision of not allowing family visitors into his facility to make sure his residents stayed safe and healthy. He is always willing to stop and talk to anyone and help them if he can! I am proud of Roderick’s leadership during these times, but I am even more proud to call Roderick my friend,” says Mrs. Handley, who nominated Watkins.
SRehab Select at Shelby Ridge, like many other healthcare facilities, has received an abundance of help from their community in dealing with these trying times. Watkins says he is grateful for the outpouring of support. “Shout out to the University of Montevallo for providing us with 300 face shields, the local EMA, Shelby Baptist Hospital, Columbiana Rehab, and Cahaba Healthcare; we have all worked as a team to make sure the patients are taken care of because that is the number one priority for all of us,” says Watkins.
ēCO was proud to provide goodie baskets filled with snacks and drinks to the team at Rehab Select at Shelby Ridge on April 30. 
“This is a blessing. It is not expected, but much appreciated. We think our nurses work harder than anyone else. By taking care of our patients, they are not only putting themselves at risk but also their families at risk. They still come here each and every day with a smile, and they love each and every one of the residents like they are their own family members. To know that they are getting a sign of appreciation, even though it wasn’t expected, it means a lot to know that they are getting something special. They very much deserve it,” says Watkins.
ēCO Credit Union is grateful for the commitment and investment Roderick Watkins and his staff at Rehab Select at Shelby Ridge provide to the community, especially during these uncertain times. Thank you, Keyla Handley for nominating a community leader like Roderick Watkins for ēCO’s #ēCOmmunity program. Thank you Roderick Watkins and your staff at Rehab Select at Shelby Ridge for your leadership and dedication to the health and safety of the community!