OGDENSBURG – Employees from across the United Helpers organization recently gathered to honor and recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond and are representative of the company’s Always Caring tagline.
Two
direct care employees, two behavioral health employees and one member of the
organization’s office staff were honored.
The
company’s oldest honor, The Margaret R. Spies Award was presented to Patricia
Brothers and Kimberly Shaul.
Ms.
Brothers, of Potsdam, works as a shift supervisor and MDSP at the Rensselaer
Falls IRA. She was nominated for the honor by then Residential Manager Paul
Linden.
“Patty
is deserving of this award, because she demonstrates every day at that the job
she does is “more than work” and not just a paycheck,” said Director of
Residential Services Kimberly George while reading form Mr. Linden’s nomination
letter. “She is being recognized today for her personal sacrifices and for
helping to make UH a great place to work and for the program members to call
home.”
Ms.
Shaul, of Madrid, is a CNA at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care.
When it came time to speak about Ms. Shaul and why she was deserving of this
year’s award, Director of Nursing Alysha Troiano turned to people in her care.
Reading
a quote from a resident identified as R.H., Mrs. Troiano said, “I don’t even
need to ring my call light. Half the time, I don’t know where it is, but just
as I think of something I need, she comes walking in before I get the chance to
look for it.
This
year’s Spies Awards were presented by Margaret’s granddaughter, Elizabeth
(Spies) Clayborne. Mrs. Clayborne recalled visiting her grandmother at the
nursing home in Ogdensburg.
“She
always appreciated the staff who cared for her and had nothing but great things
to say about them,” Mrs. Clayborne said.
Mrs.
Clayborne noted she also has a brother with developmental disabilities, so her
family understands what it’s like to care for folks from that population, as
well.
Vice
President of Corporate Services Michelle Matthews can remember being among the
staff who cared for Mrs. Spies.
“She
had difficulty sleeping and I was a CNA on the midnight shift, so often times
she would keep me company,” Ms. Matthews recalled. “She was one of those
residents that I remember to this day.”
On
the behavioral health side of the organization, Licensed Master Social Worker
Kurtis Ellison and Specialized Care Coordinator Dallas Bastien were recognized
with Behavioral Health Heart Awards.
Mr.
Ellison, of Canton, has spearheaded the company’s efforts to bring behavioral
health care to students in school districts across the county. Currently United
Helpers provides care to students at Edwards-Knox, Parishville-Hopkinton,
Colton-Pierrepont, Norwood-Norfolk and Madrid-Waddington. Starting this fall,
they will also be providing care to students in the Potsdam Central School
District.
Lead
Care Coordinator Kaitlyn Rayburn nominated Mr. Ellison. Reading from the
nomination, Behavioral Health Director of Operations Breanne Snyder said,
“Kurtis has gone above and beyond to implement counseling services into the
school system making it easier to access for students and families in the
community.”
The
second Behavioral Health Heart Award went to an employee who began his time at
United Helpers as an intern in the Care Coordination Department. Today he still
works in that department, now as a Specialized Care Manager.
Mr.
Bastien, of Canton, was nominated for the honor by his supervisor, Audrey
Plourde.
“His
skills do not end with his office work. In the community, he goes out of his
way to help people in need. I have seen him resolve conflicts and handle other
difficult situations with remarkable patience,” Mrs. Plourde said. “I feel that
Dallas is a great representative of what the Behavioral Health Heart Award
stands for.”
The organization’s Exemplary Professional
Services Award went to someone who may very well be the first face new
employees see once they’re officially hired.
Human Resources Assistant Jennifer Parker, of
Lisbon began her career at United Helpers as a DSP before transitioning into an
office position.
Ms. Matthews, who oversees the human resources
department, said she couldn’t think of a better recipient for this award.
“She is a warm, friendly face who welcomes new
employees into the United Helpers family and goes to any length possible to
help them through the orientation process,” Ms. Matthews said. “Her focus is
making sure that when she is done with her part in this brand new employee’s
first day they think to themselves, ‘I really want to work here.’”
As United Helpers’ Behavioral Health Services continue to expand, the company wanted to create a way to recognize staff working in this department. Last year the first two Behavioral Health Heart Awards were presented. This year’s recipients were Licensed Master Social Worker Kurtis Ellison and Specialized Care Manager Dallas Bastien. From left, Mr. Ellison with his daughter Phoebe, Behavioral Health Services Director of Operations Breanne Snyder, Mr. Bastien and Health Home Care Coordination/Supportive Housing Program Manager Audrey Plourde.
The recipient of this year’s Exemplary Professional Services Award is among the first people new employees meet when beginning their career with United Helpers. Human Resources Assistant Jennifer Parker earned this year’s honor. From left, CEO Todd R. Amo, Human Resources Manager Jennifer LaFlair, Ms. Parker and Vice President of Chief Corporate Services Officer Michelle R. Matthews.
The winners of this year’s Margaret R. Spies Award represent the best in direct care. Representting Behavioral Health and Life Skills was Resident Supevisor and MDSP Patricia Brothers. Kimberly Shaul, a CNA at Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton won the award for the skilled nursing side of the company. From left, Director of Nursing Alysha Troiano, Ms. Shaul, Rehabilitation and Senior Care Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons, Director of Residential Services Kim George and Ms. Brothers.
