Winners of inaugural caregiver awards show 'can-do' attitude. (2002 Order of Excellence Awards).

Many of today's heroes go unsung. Perhaps it is because they perform their duties not for the glory (or, certainly, for the riches), but for the greater good of the satisfaction that only comes from doing this type of work. Still, a pat on the back and a "thank you" go a long way toward retaining these valuable people. It is for this reason that Contemporary Long Term Care magazine has created its "Order of Excellence in Frontline Caregiving" awards. We solicited entries and empanelled a jury so that we could bring you the results. We hope that in addition to the short-term benefit of recognizing some of their award-winning deeds, this special section serves to motivate you and your staff to escalating heights of caregiving. Now you will have the satisfaction of knowing that not only will the work be its own reward, but that CLTC will be here to document and share the names and deeds of these exemplary caregivers.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Marylou Niciu

Sarah Neuman Center for Healthcare and Rehabilitation Westchester, N.Y.

Hire date: May 1998

Treats everyone like family

Marylou Niciu's is a very personal style. She proves that everyone in a facility can have a direct impact on the well-being of residents and staff alike.

Marylou works in the finance department at the Sarah Neuman Center for Healthcare and Rehabilitation, a not-for-profit SNF and rehab center in Westchester, N.Y Even in her non-clinical role she comes into contact with residents and families on a daily basis.

She lives near the facility and comes in on Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, birthdays, and other holidays when a resident might otherwise be alone. Marylou organizes and oversees resident celebrations and birthday dinners at restaurants. Further, she brings in cakes and goodies for those who cannot leave the premises.

While on vacation, Marylou will call to see how a resident is, particularly if that resident was not feeling well before she left. And frequently upon return from her vacation she brings back gifts for her friends.

Marylou will even take them shopping, or shop for them, as well as make Halloween costumes for them and even take them out to lunch on occasion.

NOMINATED BY MERRI BUCKSTONE, DIRECTOR OF THERAPEUTIC RECREATION.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Marlene Robinson, RN

Beth Abraham Health Services 

Bronx, N.Y.

Hire date: April 1992

There when needed most

Compassion is the defining word of the nomination made on behalf of Marlene Robinson, RN. More than once Marlene has locked up her treatment cart, rolled up her sleeves, and assisted the nurses' assistants in transferring residents to bed, as well as given them personal care.

Of particular note was when a resident on her unit was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The ailing resident had no relatives in the immediate vicinity. Marlene organized a support group for the resident in the final hours of her life. She scheduled staff members to come in, sit by her bedside, and just hold this resident's hand until she passed.

NOMINATED BY OLIVE w. BROWN, DON

RELATED ARTICLE: Best practices

The focus on forward thinking and cost-savings initiatives is why our judges found these individuals worthy of citations for best practice.

THE VALUE OF REDUNDANCY

George Maldonado, director of Plant Operations, Sarah Neuman Center Westchester, N.Y.

George has been director of plant operations at Sarah Neuman for 10 years. When the facility underwent construction, he recommended redundancies in the water-supply system. This was a prescient move: Estimated savings after a main broke were calculated at $3,225, which includes the repair plus what it would have cost to provide bottled water, disposable plates and utensils.

George also recommended replacing three existing oil tanks, which would have meant digging up landscaped gardens to the tune of $313,000. Instead, George designed a plan to use two tanks and run piping through an existing tunnel at a cost of only $170,000, resulting in a savings of $143,000.

NOMINATED BY RITA MORGAN, ADMINISTRATOR

GETTING ORIENTED

Eileen Miller, RN, DON, Lakeside at Willow Valley, Willow Street, Pa.

Last year Eileen enlisted the help of others to design a facility- specific orientation packet for agency staff. This includes a layout of the area, a fire-safety booklet, and checklists for nurses and CNAs. Agency members sign a receipt acknowledging review of the book.

NOMINATED BY HOLLY ROLT, NHA, HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATOR

CRITICAL CONTACT

Mary Jo Westphal, CNA 

Good Shepherd Home, Seymour, Wis.

Mary Jo accepted a new position called the Care Delivery Specialist. As a consistent contact person in the first few critical days following admission, Mary Jo works with staff care teams to make sure all of their special care needs are accommodated. She also aides in recruitment and retention.

NOMINATED BY SARAH KNEISLER, RMT, NHA, LIFE ENRICHMENT COORDINATOR/ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR

Of note ...

Jean Gray. RN, has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and on staff at Sarah Neuman Center for Healthcare and Rehabilitation since September 1970. She supervises two units and the care of 100 residents, and is responsible for overseeing the health records of more than 400 employees. ...Loretta Browne, LPN, was hired at Beth Abraham Health Services July 1966 and has been there ever since. She takes the initiative to mentor new employees, and often works past her normal tour of duty without additional compensation to be sure all needs are met.