Jun 25, 2018

Trio Honored With Helen S. Randles Scholarships


OGDENSBURG – Three high school seniors from a field of more than 25 applicants were honored with Helen S. Randles Scholarships.

The scholarships are presented by the Society of the United Helpers using funds from an endowment created by the late Ms. Randles. 


For the first time, each of the scholarship winners came from the same school — Massena Central School.

Emily Vierno will be attending Nazareth College in Rochester. She is the daughter of Kim and Joseph Vierno. Ms. Vierno is planning to become a physical therapist.

Matthew Derouchie will be attending St. Lawrence University in Canton. He is the son of Patty and Marc Derouchie. Mr. Derouchie is planning to become a physician assistant.

Olivia Todd will be also attending Nazareth College. She is the daughter of Cathy and Bob Todd. Ms. Todd is planning to become a music therapist.

Scholarship Committee Chair Ed Gordon said the decision this year was a difficult one.

“We had 25 very qualified applicants,” he said. “You guys should be proud of yourselves. Your folks certainly are and we are too.”

Also speaking at the presentation was scholarship committee member Cheryl Ladouceur.

“Your road is just starting,” she said. “Make sure you take the time to look at what is in front of you and always be your own best cheerleader.”

Dr. Gordon also spoke briefly about Mrs. Randles.

“Education was very important to her,” he said, adding she served as a volunteer with United Helpers for 46 years.

The scholarships are awarded each year to students from St. Lawrence County who are furthering their education and planning to enter the health care field.

Jun 19, 2018

Welcome New Hires


Please welcome the following new employees to the United Helpers family.

RiverLedge
Adriania Fanelli - LPN
Amy Jones - LPN
Amy Nicorvo - LPN
Keylee Halpin - RN
Rebecca Compo - RN
Chayton Massic - Food Service Attendant
Destiny Rouselle - CNA
Kristen LeFleur - Task Aide
Heather Spears - Task Aide

RiverLedge Residence
Brittany Gage - Home Health Aide
Shannon Wilson - Home Health Aide

Maplewood
Ann Bristol - Task Aide
Noel Iannacone - Task Aide
Carolyn Winters - Task Aide
Rebecca Gonyea - CNA
Jasmine Duvall - Food Service Attendant
Kassie Hutton - Food Service Attendant
Melissa Price - Food Service Attendnat
Matthew Butler - Food Service Attendant
Joel Cosores - RN
Emily Johnson - RN
Paula Whitney - LPN

Maplewood Assisted Living
Dae Sha Brossoit - Home Health Aide

United Helpers Management Company
Kenneth Morrow - Maintenance II (Housing)
Bruce Lebeau - Maintenance II (Housing)

A.C.T. Team
David Fortin - Vocational Specialist

Sparx
Arryn Baker - Office Tech

Basta's
Joshua Barkley - Laborer
John Barrett - Laborer

Pleasant Valley IRA
Raven Anderson - DSP

Bernard Avenue IRA
Mark Lepone - DSP

High Street IRA
Mariah Simons - DSP

Spruce Street IRA
Patricia Brothers - DSP

Rensselaer Falls IRA
Tiffany Allen - DSP

Lisbon IRA
Kasondra Baker - DSP

Flackville Road IRA
Scott McKAy - DSP
Melissa MacKay - DSP

Jun 18, 2018

Society of the United Helpers Honors 3 With Annual Spies Awards


OGDENSBURG – For only the third time in the history of the awards, a winner of United Helpers’ most prestigious employee honor, the Margaret R. Spies Award has received the honor for a second time. 


Each year the Spies Awards is presented to three employees — one from RiverLedge, one from Maplewood, and one from Mosaic — who embody the most desirable qualities in direct care staff: dedication to the people they care for and a willingness to go above and beyond expectations.
           
This year’s awards went to Minnie Flanagan, who works as an activities aide, CNA, and home health aide at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center; Allison Richard, a medication-certified direct support professional and evening supervisor from Mosaic; and Alisha Baker, a certified nursing assistant at RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center.

“We’re here today to celebrate the best of the best,” said United Helpers CEO Stephen E. Knight as he introduced Ann Spies, who created the award in memory of her mother, a former resident of RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center and longtime teacher in the Hammond Central School District.

“My mother was the best of the best. She was treated so well by people like you who took such great care of her,” Ms. Spies said addressing the recipients. “I could never express enough gratitude for what all of you, not just the three being honored here today, do each and every day with such great heart and spirit.”

Maplewood Vice President of Operations Kimberly Blair praised Ms. Flanagan, who joined her late sister, Loretta, as one of a select few employees to receive the award for a second time.

“Minnie has been a devoted employee of United Helpers 30 years. She always places others’ needs before her own, and selflessness is one of her greatest attributes,” Ms. Blair said, reading from a nomination submitted by Maplewood Activities Director Dawn Kimble. “She is a full-time employee in the activities department, but she will often start her day at 1:30 a.m., providing direct care assistance where it’s needed.”

Ms. Blair continued, “There are times when she has worked in all three departments in one day. She may come in at 1:30 a.m. and work until 6 a.m. in the SNF (skilled nursing facility) and then assist from 6 to 7 a.m. as a home health aide in the ALP (assisted living program) before beginning her shift as an activities aide.”

Making this year’s honor even more impressive are the trials that Ms. Flanagan has endured this year including the deaths of both her husband and sister.

“Despite all of this, she was always here with a smile on her face and her running shoes on to work for the residents,” wrote Activities Leader Patience Boswell in another nomination. “Her heart is the biggest I have ever seen in the 13 years I have worked here.”

Mosaic Vice President of Operations Michele M. Montroy introduced Allison Richard, who has worked at the Morristown, Rensselaer Falls and Lisbon IRAs.

Reading from a nomination submitted by Rensselaer Falls IRA LPN Sheri Sharpe, Ms. Montroy said, “She shows exceptional skills in the medication room in her role as a MDSP. She always makes sure our residents’ needs were taken care of. These skills and her commitment to the residents led her to apply for an evening supervisory position at the Lisbon IRA, which she deservedly received.”

She continued, “Being successful means being kind, genuine, good hearted and open minded. These are all qualities which Allison has shown. She has always been dependable and comes to work with a smile on her face. She is loved by her residents and co-workers.”

RiverLedge Vice President of Operations Timothy J. Parsons commended Alisha Baker, noting that her impact on the facility and its residents has come in only in a short amount of time.

“After only a few months, she was selected to be one of our CNA mentors as part of a program to welcome new staff,” Mr. Parsons said. “Our mentors are crucial to the success of our new CNAs, and only our top CNAs are selected.”

Mr. Parsons also noted that in addition to her regular nursing duties, Ms. Baker also serves on the facility’s recruitment and retention committee and is actively involved with the planning of upcoming employee recognition events.

“Her impact on the workforce is huge, but even more important is her impact on the residents she cares for,” he said, before reading several comments that came straight from the people she serves.

One resident, who called Ms. Baker one of their favorites, said, “She is so kind and gentle and is incredibly deserving of this award. She is missed even when she is off only for a day.”

Recipients of the Margaret R. Spies Awards are nominated for the honor by their administrative team and their peers. A plaque that lists the names of all the Spies Awards recipients hangs at RiverLedge.

Jun 4, 2018

Lowes Donation Brings Raised Garden Beds to Eight United Helpers Facilities


OGDENSBURG - Thanks to a donation of lumber and materials worth more than $1,200, the residents at seven United Helpers facilities will be able to enjoy gardening this spring and summer. 


Ogdensburg Lowes Assistant Manager Bob Ingersoll, Ogdensburg Store Manager Jordan Jock and Live Nursery Specialist Brian Bennett, who also operates an organic farm in the Heuvelton area, recently spent time at the McIntyre IRA helping the home’s residents plant tomatoes, peppers and a variety of herbs and spices in one of the newly built raised garden beds.

The raised garden beds were built by Mosaic Maintenance staff and placed at Pleasant Valley IRA in Norwood, Cherry Street IRA in Potsdam, Irish Settlement Road IRA in Heuvelton, Lisbon IRA, as well as McIntyre Road IRA, Centennial Manor IRA and Gateway Apartments in Ogdensburg. An eighth box was also placed at the United Helpers Management Company in Ogdensburg. 

Jun 1, 2018

Waddington Man Pleased by Service Received at Both RiverLedge and Maplewood

Allen McIntosh

OGDENSBURG – While rehabilitation is often associated with surgery on one’s legs, arms or hips, it can also be used to help make someone stronger and able to return home following any number of medical procedures. 
 Allen McIntosh, of Waddington, recently had an appendectomy after falling ill at home.
Following his discharge from the hospital, Mr. McIntosh spent roughly two weeks at United Helpers’ RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Ogdensburg.
“I knew something was wrong so I went to the hospital,” he said. “My doctor told me he does five of those surgeries (appendectomies) every day, and mine was one of the worst he’s ever seen.”
While an appendectomy will take anyone off their feet for a few days, at the age of 92, the recovery period is a bit longer. Mr. McIntosh said he was unable to get a bed at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, where he has previously spent 19 days following a stroke, but given the success he found there, he knew he wanted to receive his therapy at a United Helpers facility.
“I can now say I’ve been to both places and they were each great,” he said. “I enjoyed my experiences at both.”
In addition to receiving physical and occupational therapy at both locations, Mr. McIntosh has also worked with Respiratory Therapist Matthew King.
A short time prior to his appendectomy, he noticed he was having difficulty breathing and was placed on oxygen by his primary care provider.
Although he is unsure if he’ll be able to stop using oxygen, Mr. McIntosh said his time with Mr. King has made a difference.
“I’m what they call a shallow breather,” Mr. McIntosh said. “Mr. King has taught me a little bit about breathing better and I’ve noticed a difference. I might not ever discontinue oxygen, but I can tell that what they’ve been doing is working.”
For more information on therapy services at RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Ogdensburg, contact (315) 393-0730. For information on therapy services at Maplewood, contact (315) 386-4541.  You may also like United Helpers on Facebook or visit www.unitedhelpers.org.

Respiratory Therapist Matthew King, Allen McIntosh and Physical Therapist Trent Worden