Ten Outstanding Career Nursing Assistants representing ten long-term care facilities in the St. Joseph area were honored this week for their caring and dedication. At a luncheon at the Benton Club, the Downtown Rotary Club of St. Joseph honored Career Nursing Assistants for the 22nd year.
Representing nearly sixty to seventy percent of all nursing home employees, CNAs provide hands-on direct resident/patient care.
The work they do is demanding and difficult. Few others have a more challenging job, yet nursing assistants often receive insufficient recognition for the valuable services they perform.
Mayor Bill Falkner proclaimed June 26 to be Career Nursing Assistant Day in St. Joseph. A plaque is given to each individual award winner in recognition for their dedication to serving the frail elderly in our community. Award winners are further recognized by testimonials from the residents and families they care for at their facility.
This year’s honorees:
Tina M. Hoffmaster, the nominee from Abbey Woods, has logged 9 years of service in long-term care. Tina always greets her residents and family members with a smile and a warm heart and is very protective of their dignity. She anticipates the needs of her residents sometimes before they realize what they need. She often helps her co-workers without being asked because she seems to recognize when they need assistance as well. Abbey Woods is very proud to have Tina on their team and we are proud to have her with us today.
Angela Williams is the first nominee from the Missouri Veteran’s Home. For the last 12 years, Angela has been valued member of Missouri Veterans Home’s frontline staff. She provides restorative services to our Nations Heroes with a tender heart and a tender hand. Angela is a confidant, supporter and shoulder to cry on for Veterans, families and staff alike. Angela can often be found after work visiting a Veteran in the hospital, visiting their families, or attending a funeral to let the family know how much their loved one meant to her. In nominating her, Cameron says that Angela is a wonderful team member and a joy to work with.
Holly Hutton has been a C.N.A. and C.M.T. at Carriage Square for three years. The staff and residents at Carriage Square agree that Holly is dependable, caring, and respectful and never expects special recognition. Residents say that “Holly is the best at putting me to bed” and “Holly knows how to take care of me the best.” Congratulations Holly and thank you!
Carolyn Holden comes to us from King City Manor. While Carolyn has been with King City for just a year and a half, she has literally grown up in long term care. Her mother was a Med Tech in long term care and Carolyn grew up spending time with the residents her mother cared for. She became a C.N.A. herself at 18 and caring for the elderly has been her career path ever since. She loves what she does and it shows. Residents at King City say that she never leaves their room without asking “is there anything else I can do for you?”
Lorey McConnell has been in long-term care for 12 years. Her nomination is testimony that the Living Community of St. Joseph, its staff & residents, respect and appreciate Lorey. Along with her nomination, Living Community passed along the comments of one of their residents. He said “She is the perfect tech. She learns what people’s wants and desires are and fulfills them. She quickly learned by routine and fulfills my needs without flaw”. Congratulations Lorey.
Mallory Gail Burton started working at Oregon Care a little over a year ago but has been a C.N.A. since 2001. After coming to Oregon Care, Mallory completed her TCC Rehab Restorative Aide training and was recently chosen by a panel of residents and peers to be a Lead C.N.A. As such, she has added administrative responsibilities to her caregiver role. She successfully wears many hats while staying on top of the many needs of the residents with a smile on her face. Mallory is a person that puts the welfare of the residents over her own needs and Oregon Care Center and its residents admire and appreciate her service.
Brenda Sue Babb is the nominee from Saxton Care Chateau. Brenda is a C.N.A. and C. M.T. With 23 years experience in health care behind her, Brenda is a dedicated employee that rarely misses work, frequently picks up extra shifts, and is always ready to lend a helping hand. She is always willing to assist a co-worker with patient care, answer any call lights, assist with laundry, cleaning, stocking patient supplies, passing out medications or giving a resident a much needed hug. Staff & residents agree that Brenda is an outstanding C.N.A. and appreciate her hard work and dedication.
Michelle Wood comes to us from Saxton Health Care Inn. They wrote “If graded on each of your criteria for eligibility, Michelle would receive an “A” across the board. But there’s one criteria not listed, and that’s integrity. Michelle stands behind her word and her work. She communicates effectively because she says what she means, and she means what she says. Her attention to detail leaves each resident feeling truly cared for. She is a valuable member of the Health Care Inn team and a godsend to anyone she cares for.”
Brenda Clevenger has worked in long-term care for 10 years and is currently serving as Trainer, Certified Nursing Assistant, Restorative Department at Saxton Riverside. Brenda enjoys working with older people and the supportive relationships she has with her colleagues. Staff says Brenda is friendly, caring, and compassionate. Residents appreciate that she is well-dressed, always smiling, and is willing to listen. They enjoy how nice she is towards everyone and the way she laughs and humms as she goes about her duties. Brenda would like to become a Certified Medical Technical and eventually go to nursing school.
Makala Jean Bradbury is the nominee from Tiffany Heights. She has been with them for four years. Makala spends most of her days in the bath house bathing the residents. She has a magical ability to lift the residents’ spirits and to motivate them to take their bath. Makala goes beyond her job duties as a C.N. A. and bath aid. She is very dependable and leads by example with staff members and with her outgoing personality. Makala has excellent rapport with the residents and they love her.