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.