Donna Hilson has spent a lifetime caring for others. A dedicated nurse, her journey in health care began at the Birmingham Baptist School of Nursing—now part of Samford University’s Sanders & Moffett School of Nursing. After graduation, Donna embarked on a long and meaningful career. She spent 35 years with Southeast Alabama Medical Center (now Southeast Health) as a psychiatric nurse, and then worked as a psychiatric evaluation nurse for a company based in St. Paul, Minnesota, traveling extensively throughout southeast Alabama—from Luverne to Russell County and all the way to the Florida line. Even after decades of service, she was still on the road in 2021 when an unexpected turn changed everything—a serious head injury that left her facing a long and arduous recovery.
For 8 months, Donna devoted herself to regaining her independence, relearning how to walk, talk, and move. After transitioning from nursing care to an assisted living community, she eventually found herself at The Rehab Inn at Wesley Place on Honeysuckle in August 2024, seeking additional therapy and rehabilitation. It was a decision that would change her life in the best way.
“My children thought I would be better off here than going back to where I was,” Donna recalls, as the family considered the changes in her medical needs. “Staff here are so cordial and I just felt like I was at home.”
Donna’s sense of belonging at Wesley Place deepened when she discovered familiar faces among the residents. One had lived in her former assisted living community, and another she had met through a Sunday School friend and had even traveled with.
But the connections didn’t stop there. Donna discovered that one of the nursing preceptors she had trained is now Wesley Place’s assisted living clinical leader, Nancy Thompson. Another former trainee, Marty, recognized Donna while touring Wesley Place with her mother. Given her nursing background, Donna was able to provide Marty and her mother with a unique perspective on assisted living community life.
Beyond the friendships and welcoming atmosphere, Donna appreciates the spiritual and social opportunities that make Wesley Place feel like home.
“One of the things that I like the most is we have devotion several times a week with just the residents doing it. And then we also have outstanding outside ministers who come in,” she said. “We have a fantastic activities director and that’s important. We have a beauty shop, we also do exercises—they are chair exercises—and we play bingo every Friday.”
Donna also enjoys the comfort of her new apartment, which she finds more spacious than her previous one. And when her daughter encouraged her to make the move, Donna was already one step ahead.
“Sugar, I’ve been thinking that all along,” she told her daughter. “So here I am.”
Wesley Place on Honeysuckle isn’t just a place to live—it’s a place to thrive. If you or a loved one are looking for a welcoming community with compassionate care, we invite you to learn more about Wesley Place. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a tour.