Jessmer Receives Life Improved Honorable Mention

From left, Director of Rehabilitative Services Terry Micceli, Stacie Jessmer PTA and Brittany Wieszczyk PT

Stacie Jessmer, a physical therapy assistant at United Helpers Maplewood Campus was among those nominated for a Life Improved Award.

In her nomination, which was submitted by Brittany Wieszczyk, a physical therapist from Maplewood, it was noted that Ms. Jessmer has a rapport with patients that may lead to repeat business.

"She has a good rapport with all of our patients and I feel that brings business back to Maplewood," Ms. Wieszczyk wrote, adding she's not afraid to lend a helping hand when needed.

"She always goes above and beyond to help me out, as well as co-workers and she is constantly bouncing back and forth between outpatient and inpatient therapy."

Staff from High St. IRA Honored

Program Manager Lauren Peters with Josh Legault and Leonard

Evening Resident Supervisor Josh Legault was one of four staff members at the High Street IRA in Morristown nominated for a Winter 2016 Life Improved Award.

Mr. Legault, who was nominated by Mosaic Assistant Administrator Colleen Aldridge, was selected as one of six winners from a field that included 28 nominees.

"Josh has proven to be a patient and easy leader to follow," Ms. Aldridge said. "He uses a quiet, sense of humor and non-intimidating approach to gain resident and employee trust and respect."

Allison Richard with Josh Legault

One resident, Leonard, has especially taken a liking to Mr. Legault and made it known that for his birthday he would like Mr. Legault to take him to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner on his birthday. Unfortunatley, Leonard's birthday fell on Mr. Legault's day off.

That didn't stop Mr. Legault though from making sure Leonard had a special birthday.

"Josh came in on day off to take Leonard to the Texas Roadhouse to celebrate his birthday," Ms. Aldridge said.

The High Street IRA was also home to three other nominees, Tammy Smithers, Allison Richard and Danyell Brooks who all work as DSPs there.

Ms. Richard and Ms. Brooks were jointly nominated.

These two girls both go above and beyond what is expected of them on a daily basis," their nomination read. "They both have a very strong work ethic and take pride in meeting the needs of the residents while providing them with a happy, safe and clean environment."

In her nomination it was noted that Ms. Smithers enjoys putting a smile on the face of the residents.

"Tammy is an amazing person who loves what she does," the nomination reads. "She is willing to help out whenever she can and Tammy does whatever she can to put a smile on the residents' faces and make them happy.

Assistant Administrator Colleen Aldridge, Tammy Smithers, Danyell Brooks and Program Manager Lauren Peters

Davis Honored With Life Improved Award

Keith Davis with Maplewood Administrator Kim McFaddin

It is often said that someone who would do nearly anything to help others would even "give the shirt off their back," to assist someone in need.

While that's not quite the case here, one of our Life Improved Award winners Keith Davis did literally give the coat off his back to help a resident returning home from a doctor's appointment on a cold winter's day.

Maplewood Administrator Kim McFaddin said that when she heard there was a nurse on the phone who wanted to speak with her about one of her employees, she immediately feared the call would be a complaint about an impatient staff member.

"That was as far from the intent of the conversation as possible," she said, explaining the nurse instead raved about the generosity exhibited by Mr. Davis during his visit to her office.

"He had been so kind and attentive to her (the resident) that all of the office staff were impressed and talking about it," Ms. McFaddin recalled the nurse telling her.

Delving further into the story, Ms. McFaddin said, "It was a cold January day in the North Country and as they were getting ready to leave Edith (the resident) told Keith she was cold. She was appropriately dressed and had her coat on, but Keith took his own coat off and wrapped it around Edith to make sure she was warm."

Mr. Davis then walked outside in his scrubs to bring Edith back home to the Assisted Living Program at Maplewood.

When asked about that particular appointment, Edith said she remembers the day well.

"He is a kind and considerate young man. He's always concerned about the well-being of others. He took the coat right off his back for me."

Welcome New Hires

 

RiverLedge

Brandy McIntyre - Task Aide

Maplewood

Cassandra Steinburgh - Housekeeper/Laundry Aide

A.C.T. Team

Sarah Butler - Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Melissa Durham - Cook/Housekeeper
Summer Nichols - DSP

Irish Settlement Road IRA

Courtney Matice - DSP 

Lowery Honored With Life Improved Award

Kelly Lowery, front row, pink sweater with her colleagues from the United Helpers Business Office & CEO Steve Knight.

Longtime United Helpers Management Company employee Kelly Lowery was recently honored with a Winter 2016 Life Improved Award.
Ms. Lowery, a comptroller in the company's business office was one of six nominees selected from a field of nearly 30 nominations.
An excerpt from her nomination follows:


"I know that she is not in a direct care role, but without the people behind the scenes our companies wouldn't be able to run the way they do.As someone that works very close to Kelly, I can see all the things she has to do for many people within the company. Besides the 10 people she has under her up here on third floor, she is constantly on the phone with people at other facilities helping them with their problems. Frankly I am not sure how she does it, working 10-12 hour days, 6-7 days a week. The company would be lost without everything that she does for them."

Over the next several days and weeks our winners, as well as those receiving honorable mention honors will be revealed, with each of them receiving a small token of thanks.

The United Helpers Life Improved Awards were created in 2015 as a way to recognize employees who go above and beyond and exhibit the traits behind the organization’s Life Improved mantra. Recipients are nominated by the co-workers, with awards being offered in the winter and summer each year.

Hooper Honored With Life Improved Award

From left, Community Housing Manager Cindy Lawrence, Terry Hooper & United Helpers CEO Stephen Knight.

CANTON – Terry Hooper, a 30-year employee of United Helpers has been honored with the organization’s winter 2016 Life Improved Award.

Ms. Hooper, who is employed as a hospitality coordinator, cook, transporter and even back-up maintenance person works at Partridge Knoll in Canton was selected from a field of 28 nominees.

“Terry wears many hats at Partridge Knoll,” said Community Housing Manager Cindy B. Lawrence, who noted that regardless of what role Ms. Hooper is working in on any given day she goes above and beyond to help improve the lives of the members at Partridge Knoll.

“She performs extra tasks for members when cleaning their apartments, checks on members before she goes home at night when she knows they’re not feeling well or even if they just need a little extra TLC. When in the kitchen, she will make special treats she knows the members like,” Ms. Lawrence said. “Our members have high praise for Terry and her work. She is always willing to assist her coworkers and helps train new staff when they join our team.”

Even more remarkable is the fact that Ms. Lawrence said she cannot recall Ms. Hooper ever using a sick day or even being late for work.

“She is always prompt and ready to work and has never missed a day of work by calling in sick,” Ms. Lawrence said, adding, “For all the reasons I mentioned and more, I nominate Terry Hooper for demonstrating the true meaning of Life Improved.”

The United Helpers Life Improved Awards were created in 2015 as a way to recognize employees who go above and beyond and exhibit the traits behind the organization’s Life Improved mantra. Recipients are nominated by the co-workers, with awards being offered in the winter and summer each year.

Mosaic Wellness Committee Sponsoring Chili Cook-Off

The Mosaic Wellness Committee will be sponsoring a "March Madness" chili cook-off on Wednesday, March 9 at their Mosaic Day Hab complex in Ogdensburg.

Entries may be dropped off on March 8 or 9, but must be on-site by 10 a.m. on the day of the competition, as judging will commence at 10:30 a.m.

Each of the entries will then be available for sampling from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. for just 50 cents a bowl. Bottled water will also be available for sale.

There will be four awards given with the "People's Choice," "Judge's Finest," "Spiciest," and "Most Creative" entries all being honored.

Participants are invited to tie their entries into the March Madness theme and wear their favorite team's jersey during the competition. A "spirit award" and "best costume" award will also be given.

To sign-up for the contest send your name and place of employment within the organization, together with a description of your chili  to Mary Polniak at mepolniak@unitedhelpers.org by Friday, March 4.

Welcome New Hires

 

RiverLedge

Bradley Gemmill Food Service Attendant

Maplewood

Whitney Shatraw - CNA

United Helpers Home Health Services

Lora Martin - Home Health Aide
Ashlee Saumier - Companion 

Michelle Young - Companion 

Sparx

Peter Rubin - Maintenance I

Flackville Road IRA

Logan Harris - DSP

Irish Settlement Road IRA

Brent Mills - DSP