VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region recently celebrated VNA Week, full of appreciation for our staff, culminating in our annual Employee Recognition Dinner. This special event is a chance to honor the dedication and hard work of our team members who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care to our patients and families.
During the celebration, we proudly recognized our HEALTH Matters award winners and honored our Employee of the Year. The HEALTH Matters awards are a reflection of the core values that guide our agency’s mission and service:
– Honesty
– Excellence
– Accountability
– Leadership
– Teamwork
– Helpfulness
Each letter of HEALTH represents an individual award that recognizes an employee’s outstanding contribution to our agency and the community. This year’s winners include:
– H – Honesty Award: Karol Sowulewski
– E – Excellence Award: Susan Bushman
– A – Accountability Award: Amy Van Der Kar
– L – Leadership Award: Traci Osterhoudt
– T – Teamwork Award: Jeff Leake
– H – Helpfulness Award: Karyn Hunter
Employee of the Year
In addition, we are thrilled to announce that our Employee of the Year is Edith Sheldon, who has dedicated an incredible 30 years to our agency. Over the course of her career, she has performed more than 26,900 home care visits, making a positive impact on the lives of the patients and families she has served. One of Edith’s peers nominated her by saying, “Edith is a true advocate for her patients because she takes time to learn their stories. She is a dedicated employee who has served her community with kindness, care and reliability. She is a calm, focused and gentle Hospice LNA. In home care, Edith has taken on more complex delegated skills for numerous patients over the years. She has a sound understanding of patients’ personal care needs. Edith can handle just about any situation she is placed in with compassion and a consistent demeanor. Edith represents all of the VNAHSR core values.”
We are also excited to introduce two new awards this year, reflecting our continued commitment to honoring staff who consistently go above and beyond:
Rookie of the Year
This new award recognizes a team member who has recently joined the agency and has already made a significant impact with their dedication and excellence in care. The inaugural winner is Anthony Duskiewicz.
Sara C. King Transformational Leader Award
Formerly known as the “Transformational Leader Award,” this honor now carries the name of our own CEO, Sara C. King, whose leadership has inspired countless others to perform beyond expectations. This award is presented to a leader who exemplifies creativity, vision, and the ability to motivate others toward achieving extraordinary results. The recipient of this prestigious award is Sara King herself.
Jessica Fredette, Chief Human Resources & Development Officer at VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, shared her thoughts on the importance of these awards and the values that drive our success:
“At VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, we take great pride in recognizing the hard work and commitment of our team members. Our HEALTH Matters awards embody the core values that define our organization—values that guide us in every decision we make, and in every relationship we build with our patients, families, and staff. These awards are more than just a celebration of individual achievements; they reflect the strength of our entire team and the difference we make in the community. Our employees are the heart and soul of this organization, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering dedication.”
The Employee Recognition Dinner and HEALTH Matters awards serve as a reminder of the incredible impact of each team member and our shared commitment to excellence in patient care. We look forward to their continued success and the positive impact they will undoubtedly have in the years to come!
