Welcome New Hires

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

RiverLedge

Shanea Braun - Task Aide
Hunter Law - Task Aide
Summer Nichols - CNA
Tristan Vine - CNA
Alysha Brothers - LPN
Dawn Hutchcroft - LPN
Katie Lalonde - RN

Maplewood

Jessica Rotundo - CNA
Brittany Tomasso - CNA
Brian Thrasher - RN
Michelle Whitton - RN

Partridge Knoll 

Danielle Holmes - Hospitality Coordinator

Rensselaer Falls IRA
Wendy Shepherd - Cook/Housekeeper

Ogdensburg Day Hab

Debbie Kirby - DSP

Welcome New Hires

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

RiverLedge

Holly Morehouse - Task Aide

Maplewood

Lilly Clifford - Food Service Attendant
Nancy Tiernan - Housekeeper/Laundry Aidre
Alexis Herne - CNA
Angeline Hoyt - LPN

Maplewood Assisted Living 

Amber Bush - Home Health Aide

RiverLedge Residence

Ashley Sharpstene - Home Health Aide

United Helpers Management Company

Jennifer Berbich - Housing Assistant

Cherry Street IRA

Tessa Blackburn - DSP
Corey Fox - DSP
Susan Wood - DSP

Society Recognizes Ladouceur with Harry E. King Award

The Society of the United Helpers recently honored Wayne N. Ladouceur with the Harry E. King Award at the 119th annual meeting of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Ladouceur, member of the Society of the United Helpers and dedicated volunteer, was recognized for his unparalleled commitment to residents at RiverLedge Health Care and Rehabilitation Center and all those served by the United Helpers organization.

“The Harry E. King Award is to be presented only rarely, in the case of a desire to recognize a volunteer of United Helpers who is virtually unrivaled and exceptional in his or her commitment,” noted Dr. Edward I. Gordon, Vice President of the Society Board of Directors. “Wayne Ladouceur is such an individual.”

Noteworthy for his thousands of volunteer hours, Mr. Ladouceur was lauded for his nearly 30 years of service to United Helpers, from his tireless fundraising efforts, to his personal attention and time spent with residents at RiverLedge and the RiverLedge adult residence.

“Giving of one’s time is one of the purest gifts that anyone can give,” Gordon added. “Although Wayne insists that he receives more from volunteering than he gives, there can be simply no doubt that his impact and benefit to the Society and those we serve is immeasurable.”

Mr. Ladouceur is the first recipient of the King Award, an award named in honor of Harry E. King, a 35-year volunteer for the Society of the United Helpers and member of the Board of Directors. Mr. King was well known for his quiet and humble commitment to service. His own volunteer legacy spanned from the 1980s through 2010. Mr. King volunteered at United Helpers Cedars, United Helpers Nursing Home (RiverLedge), and the United Helpers Canton Nursing Home (Maplewood) and he served on several of United Helpers’ Boards of Directors. He held a special affinity for United Helpers Maplewood Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Canton, later residing at Maplewood until his passing in 2010.

Pictured above are: Stephen E. Knight, United Helpers Chief Executive Officer; Martha K. MacArthur, daughter of Harry E. King and member of United Helpers Management Company Board of Directors; Cheryl A. Ladouceur, Society member; Wayne N. Ladouceur; and Dr. Edward I. Gordon, Vice President of the Society of the United Helpers Board of Directors. 

Welcome New Hires

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

RiverLedge

Kevin Badlam - Food Service Attendant
Kaitlin Brabant - Task Aide
Charissa Plourde - CNA

Maplewood

Zachary Butler - Food Service Attendant
Suzanne Flanagan - Food Service Attendant
Nishimue Ange - Task Aide
Tiffany Clesi - Task Aide
Bradley Mathews - Task Aide
Alyssa Montgomery - CNA
Nancy Rutledge - Interim Director on Nursing

United Helpers Home Health Services

Janet Provost - Home Health Aide

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Dylan Weems - Maintenance II

Lisbon IRA

Jazmine Trombley - DSP

Holmes Honored With Life Improved Honorable Mention

From left, Administrator Tim Parsons, Staff Development Assistant Jennifer LaFlair, Bobbi Jo Holmes, Assistant Director of Nursing Madison Brossoit, Director of Nursing Brittany Thornton and CEO Steve Knight.

OGDENSBURG – One of the many challenges facing skilled nursing facilities, especially during a time when filling nursing vacancies is becoming more and more difficult, is completing a schedule that ensures each wing of the building is staffed at a level where its residents can be assured quality care.

At RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center that challenge falls to nursing scheduler Bobbi Jo Holmes, who began her career at the facility more than 20 years ago as a housekeeper.

“Every day she is in constant communication with nursing staff, helping them to create schedules that also work with their lives outside of work,” said Assistant Director of Nursing Madison Brossoit.  “She does this all while making sure the facility is staffed properly to ensure the care of our residents. This is a very challenging job.”

Staff Development Assistant Jennifer LaFlair noted Ms. Holmes often goes above and beyond and attempt to do whatever is possible to accommodate staff.

“Bobbie Jo is direct, straight-forward, honest and polite,” she said. “She has an open door policy for all co-workers and it doesn’t matter what department they’re in. I’ve witnessed firsthand how supportive she is with someone co-workers who had no one to help guide them or talk to.”

Simply put, Ms. Brossoit said it is her goal to make everyone happy, every day.

“Happy staff equals a happy work environment,” she said. “Bobbi Jo has a positive attitude that is contagious and spreads throughout the building.”

And although Ms. Brossoit may not work directly with residents, Ms. LaFlair said her impact on the residents is felt nearly every day.

“Because of her the staff can give our residents the love and care they deserve every day.”

United Helpers Hosts Annual Employee Recognition Luncheon

OGDENSBURG -  Nearly 75 employees from United Helpers were honored at the company's annual Employee Recognition Luncheon held at the Gran View in Ogdensburg. Employees with 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30-plus years of service were all recognized, as were this year's Margaret Spies Award winners, Patricia Kerr from Maplewood, Debra Bice from Mosaic and Brook Duprey from Riverledge.

30 plus years

Honored for 30 or more years of service were, from left, Carole Castor, Brenda Jones, Bernie Bezio, Sherry Schmidt, Terry Ames, Linda Wert, Renny Bice, Gloria Bezio, Randy Adams, Cindy Lawrence, Deborah Smith, Robert Ethridge, Cynthia Cota, Sheri Sharpe, Sue English, Joyce Gladle, Rick Pirie, Robin Hamilton, Debra Farrand, Terry Hooper, Deborah Polniak and Winnie Delorenzo. Absent from photo, Michael Lawrence, Melissa Fuller, Venetia Wood and Jeanne Narrow.

15, 20 and 25 years

Honored for either 15, 20 or 25 years of service were, from left, Sarah Duvall, David Young, Denise Groulx, Todd Amo, Tammy Smithers, Nick Boswell, Michelle Matthews, Danielle Batholomew, Amanda LaVair, Jennifer LaFlair, Laurie Robinson, Beth Snyder, Grace MacMartin, Kathy Harris, Rebecca MacMartin and John Miller. Absent from photo, Jason Hitsman, Cindy Delarge, Sue Morse, Linda Buchanan, Georgeanna Christman, Bethanne Bishop and Deborah LaRock.

10 years

Honored for 10 years of service were, Bridgett Fanizzie, Laurie Cummings, Sharon Baker, Richard Tressider, Carmen Paone, Sara Wert, Jane Rector, Bonnie Cutrie, Ryann Cunningham, Crystal Lalonde, Nora Hance, Melissa Burke and Alicia Todd. Absent from photo, Jennifer Bouchey, Crystal Crosbie, Stacy LaRock, Sherri Reynolds, David Knowlton, Nicole Kennedy and Jamie Haro.

For an album of photos from this year's event, vist United Helpers on Facebook here.