At the annual meeting, Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice (VNA/BWH) awarded three staff members with service awards. The awards are named after long-time employees who made an impact on the organization.
Bess MacCulloch Award for Outstanding Community Service –Named after the founder, Bess MacCulloch. She founded the organization in 1952 and changed the face of in-home health care through her forward-thinking expansion of services offered in the home. The award, established in 1988, is given to an employee, who, like Bess, demonstrates outstanding leadership in the area of home health care and community support. Connie Geeraerts, private duty CENA, was named as the 2019 Bess MacCulloch Award winner. Connie started with VNA in 2012 and received high compliments from co-workers and leadership.
The Elmore D. Shoudy Award of Outstanding Hospice Service –Dr. Shoudy fought for a more humane way of working with patients and families coping with terminal illness. He was integral in the development of hospice care and the creation of the Blue Water Hospice Home. He believed terminally ill patients should be allowed to die with dignity, free of pain, and surrounded by family and loved ones. This award is given to an employee, who like Dr. Shoudy, is dedicated to the celebration of life for terminally ill patients and their families. Siera Lacey, LPN, was recognized as the 2019 Elmore D. Shoudy Award winner. Siera started with the organization in 2016 and provides care in the Blue Water Hospice Home. She was described as someone who continuously goes above and beyond to best serve her patients, families, and co-workers.
Liz Norris Service Award – Liz Norris retired recently after more than 40 years with the organization, she helped to develop, staff, and organize flu clinics and blood pressure clinics in addition to her work in the field as an in-home health nurse. This award is given to an employee that exhibits a pattern of service going above and beyond to care for others, Liz personally chooses the winner, after consulting with staff and leadership. Robin Tokarski was chosen by Liz Norris for her namesake award. Robin is the Home Care Team Assistant, and has been with the organization since 2008. According to her co-workers, no one deserves this special honor more than Robin.
Since 1952, Visiting Nurse Association has provided a continuum of care including home health care, palliative care, private duty, and hospice care to the people of St. Clair, Sanilac, Lapeer, and Macomb counties. Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice is a non-profit organization that provides high-quality, cost-effective health care to any patient and family member with short-term, long-term, or end-of-life care. Learn more about the services offered by VNA/BWH by visiting www.vnabwh.com.