Two Recognized for 50 Years of Service

CANTON – In July of 1974 Charles Bronson’s “Death Wish” was playing at drive-ins across the country, gas was only 53 cents per gallon, and Richard Nixon was in the final days of his presidency.

July of 1974 also marked the beginning of careers with United Helpers for both Joyce Simmons and Cynthia “Cindy” Cota, the first two employees in the 126-year history of United Helpers to hit the 50-year milestone.

Both women have worked in a variety of roles for the organization, something that Mrs. Cota said made working 50 years a bit easier than holding one position for that long.

Mrs. Cota has worked in Canton as a CNA, a therapy aide and a home health aide, while Mrs. Simmons has worked, mostly in Ogdensburg, as a cook, as a laundry aide and then as a housekeeper first for Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg and then for both Sparx and Northern Lights Home Health Care.

United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons has worked with both women, working with Mrs. Simmons during his time as building administrator at the skilled nursing facility in Ogdensburg.

Mr. Parsons recalled celebrating Mrs. Simmons’ 40^th work anniversary. “She brought in cupcakes for everyone,” he recalled. “I asked her when she was retiring and she mentioned wanting to hit 45 years.”

Now on the occasion of her 50^th anniversary, Mrs. Simmons said she wants to be the first United Helpers employee to celebrate 51 years with the company. A feat that will made easier by the fact, Mrs. Cota is retiring at the end of this month.

“I work with a great bunch of girls and I just really love working,” Mrs. Simmons said. “I think I’m going to keep going as long as I’m healthy and able,” she said.

As for Mrs. Cota, she said the first few months of her retirement will be tied up with an ongoing home renovation project.

Mr. Parsons said he remembers the first time he met Mrs. Cota, noting it was his very first day on the job. “Whoever introduced me to Cindy said something like, ‘This is Cindy and she’s been here forever,’” he recalled with a laugh. “And that was 23 years ago.”

The careers of both Mrs. Cota and Mrs. Simmons were recently celebrated at the United Helpers Summer Awards ceremony, where each were presented with an engraved clock. Both women were also given a cash bonus.

This month Cynthia “Cindy” Cota and Joyce Simmons both celebrated 50 years of service with the United Helpers organization, becoming the first two employees in the company’s 126-year history to hit that impressive milestone. Mrs. Cota will be retiring at the end of the month, while Mrs. Simmons said she wants to become the first person to celebrate their 51^st anniversary. From left, United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons, Mrs. Simmons, Mrs. Cota and Sparx Vice President of Operations Katherine Race.

United Helpers Celebrates Opening of Nursing Education Centers

OGDENSBURG – Both RiverLedge and Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center are now home to state of the art nursing labs, now giving United Helpers three such labs in the county.

Clinical and Diagnostic Educator Elayne Woodcock said the labs are a nice addition, giving the organization’s staff development team tools that can be used not only for training, but for practice.

“Our nurses know their skills, but if there is something they haven’t done or had to do in a while, it’s nice for them to have this facility for them available to practice,” she said. “You can literally see their confidence increase after they spend some time in here.”  

Social Service Assistant Alissa Hawley and Assistant DON Madison Brossoit

The newly opened labs join a third lab, located at the Sparx building in Canton, where the organization’s Home Health Care staff is based.

“These are all tremendous facilities,” she said.

In Ogdensburg, where a house was recently held, Ms. Woodcock said the Nursing Education Center is divided into two parts, a classroom and a hands-on skills lab.

“In the classroom, CNA training, staff education, as well as other classes and meetings will be held,” she said. “The lab includes several different training stations featuring life-like simulation mannequins that allow staff to practice with EKGs, IVs, sutures, feeding tubes, catheters, wound treatments, Doppler readings and more.”

“We are confident that access to these facilities is going to bring the confidence and comfort level of our CNAs and nurses to a whole new level,” she said.

If you are interested in a nursing career with United Helpers, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org/employment. The organization currently has several openings for RNs, LPNs and CNAs with a variety of shifts available.

Clinical & Diagnostic Educator Elayne Woodcock shows Vice President of Development Christa Carroll a nursing cart, while explaining some of the tools inside.

Walrath Receives Life Improved Nomination

From left, Greg Walrath and Warren Bullock

IT Systems Administrator Greg Walrath was among the recipients of a Life Improved Award Nomination.

Nominated by his supervisor, Warren Bullock, Mr. Walrath has shown in just a short period of time to be a valuable member of the IT Team at United Helpers.

In his nomination, Mr. Bullock wrote, "Greg has been with the United Helpers organization for just over six months and he has already proved he is a great team member. Greg has a bright future with the organization and I'm excited to be part of his professional growth."

Giving several examples of Mr. Walrath's work, Mr. Bullock wrote, "The integration of technology in our Potsdam buildings has been a huge success because of Greg. We are also now able to explore new ideas and have great potential to add value to our web presence since Greg has joined our web team. I also get a sense for a great persistence to solve issues that are not easy to solve."

Mr. Bullock continued, "Greg is a very approachable, self-confident team member. He is not afraid to hold himself accountable and because of these characteristics there has been an overwhelming satisfaction from all of the departments and people he supports."