That Family Feel

Employee Spotlight: Makia Dunson, CNA, A.G. Rhodes Atlanta

Just before the interview for this employee spotlight, Makia was helping one of the elders at A.G. Rhodes Atlanta.

“I was rolling her hair,” she said.

It’s a simple moment, but one that reflects the way Makia approaches her work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). For her, caregiving goes beyond meeting physical needs. It’s about building relationships and offering companionship.

Service has always been part of her life, and she began her career as a CNA at just 17. Her father served in a healthcare role in the military, her grandmother was a registered nurse and her mother, also a CNA, works as a caregiver in personal care homes.

Makia brings her spirit of service to A.G. Rhodes Atlanta, where she has worked for the past two years.

One of her favorite parts of the job is getting to know the elders she serves and hearing their stories.

“The conversations and the knowledge you get from the elders,” she said, are what make the work so rewarding.

Those relationships often become deeply meaningful. One resident reminds her of her late father. Another reminds her of her late grandmother.

“Even when I’m sad, I’ll go talk to her,” Makia said. “We get to talking, and I feel better.”

After more than 20 years in the profession, Makia has also become a mentor to newer CNAs. She encourages them to take their time, ask questions and never be afraid to seek help when they need it.

One of the most important lessons she shares came from her grandmother.

“My grandmama used to ask me, ‘What’s the biggest room in the world?’ I’d say, ‘The living room.’ But she’d tell me, ‘The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.’ It always stuck with me.”

That mindset has shaped the way she approaches both caregiving and mentorship. She wants newer team members to know there is no shame in asking for additional training or guidance.
Being given opportunities to mentor others at A.G. Rhodes is something she deeply appreciates.

“To see that A.G. Rhodes is giving me the opportunity to have an effect on someone else means a lot to me,” she said.

Makia is equally grateful for the support she receives from her coworkers and the family-like culture she has found at A.G. Rhodes.

“You can work somewhere and not have that family feel,” she said. “But coming here, you do.”

For Makia, the work ultimately comes down to caring for others the way she would want her own family members cared for.

“Some residents don’t get to see their family,” she said. “I feel like we are their family members.”

A.G. Rhodes Atlanta Administrator Lesly Gervil says Makia’s positive attitude and commitment to others make a difference throughout the community.

“Makia brings a positive energy to our community every day,” Lesly said. “Her passion for caregiving and her willingness to support her teammates remind us that excellent care starts with a genuine desire to help people.”

June 2026