Life Improved Awards - Ron Sellers

The results are in and seven winners have been selected to receive Life Improved Awards. Today we're honoring Ron Sellers.

Nominations were scored based on four criteria - improvement to the lives of others, embodiment the U.H. mission, examples provided show work above and beyond the duties of their job description, and the number of nominations received.

Ron, who received two nominations is a DSP at ICF #4 in Heuvelton. He was presented with a United Helpers Life Improved T-Shirt.

Here's some of what people had to say about Ron.

"He is a relatively new staff member. Ron has excelled through his training and worked hard to connect with all residents in this home. In the past few months our residence has gone through some difficult times related to staf fbeing off, increased resident needs and the transition of welcoming new staff. During that time Ron has sacrificed many hours by staying on for doubles or picking up shifts during his time off."

"Ron strengthens our floor by being a team player, supporting veteran staff or leading the way for new hires. His extra efforts not only keep our place of work running smoothly, but also provide a consistent supportive and safe living space for those we serve."

"He has truly improved the life of our residents and has brought some wonderful teamwork attributes to this home."

Ron joins Jaime Ladison from Maplewood, Billie Jo Thornhill and Bonnie Hitsman from Mosaic, and Allen Mills and Cindi Corbine from RiverLedge, as already announced Life Improved Award winners.

We'll announce our final winner on Monday and begin sharing the stories of our other nominees next week.

Twenty-one employees received nominations and each nominee will receive a small token of appreciation for the work they do to help improve the lives of the people we serve.

Life Improved Awards - Jaime Ladison

The results are in and seven winners have been selected to receive Life Improved Awards. Today we're honoring Jaime Ladison.

Nominations were scored based on four criteria - improvement to the lives of others, embodiment the U.H. mission, examples provided show work above and beyond the duties of their job description, and the number of nominations received.

Jaime is a social work assistant and works at Maplewood in Canton. She was presented with a United Helpers Life Improved T-Shirt.

Here's some of what people had to say about Jaime.

"Last April, Thelma, a 93 year old lady was admitted to the the West Neighborhood for a short term rehabilitation stay. Thelma had been hospitalized and was too weak to return home at that time. Her daughter and grandson had been her supports in the community and accompanied her on her admission. She had lived with her grandson and relied heavily on him.
Thelma wanted to go home more than anything. She had talked to Jaime about wanting to go home since the day she was admitted. She had lived in her long time Potsdam home with her husband. He died nine years earlier and she told Jamie she still cried for him everyday. That is where she wanted to live and die too.
Shortly after admission, however, the daughter and grandson dropped out of sight. They said Thelma had to stay in the nursing home, because they could not take care of her. They even told Jaime they didn't want to be contacted anymore. They literally disappeared. Thelma was distraught, depressed and did not want to live. She was mad at staff, her family and the world.
Jaime struggled to keep her own emotions under control because she wanted to help Thelma, but did not know what to do. Jaime made up her mind to advocate for Thelma and do whatever she could to get her home. She educated Thelma on living options, set up appointments for her to meet with community supports, and made arrangements for Thelma to have the care and support she needed to go home, including home care, meals on wheels, lifeline, and neighbor supports. Jaime even went to Thelma's home herself to fix her phone, as all of Thelma's family had abandoned her.
At the end of May (2014), Thelma moved back to her home in Potsdam. She sent Jaime the attached letter a few weeks later. Thelma died eight months later, but was able to accomplish her goal of living... and dying at home. Jaime still has the original letter on her bulletin board."

The contents of that letter follow:

"Jaime with love,

Thank you Jaime. I am so happy.

Love Thelma"

Over the next several days, the two remaining winners will be notified by surprise and announced here. Each winner's photo will also be posted on the United Helpers' Facebook page.

Jaime joins Billie Jo Thornhill and Bonnie Hitsman from Mosaic and Allen Mills and Cindi Corbine from RiverLedge, as already announced Life Improved Award winners.

Twenty-one employees received nominations and each nominee will receive a small token of appreciation for the work they do to help improve the lives of the people we serve.

Life Improved Awards - Bonnie Hitsman & Billie Jo Thornhill

The results are in and seven winners have been selected to receive Life Improved Awards. Today we're honoring Bonnie Hitsman and Billie Jo Thornhill.

Nominations were scored based on four criteria - improvement to the lives of others, embodiment the U.H. mission, examples provided show work above and beyond the duties of their job description, and the number of nominations received.

Both Bonnie and Billie Jo work as MDSPs for Mosaic at the day hab complex. They were each presented with a United Helpers Life Improved T-Shirt.

Here's just some of what people had to say about Billie Jo and Bonnie.

"We had a resident that was sent to Burlington over the 4th of July weekend for a medical concern. He was placed in the ICU and had a family member staying with him until we could find some employees to be with him. Being a holiday weekend it was difficult for us to find hospital coverage right away. These two employees could not help with providing shift coverage throughout the entire weekend, but because they knew this resident would be anxious and the family member was unsure of staying with him, they took time out of their personal life to travel to Burlington to see John and his family member for a couple of hours on Friday July 4th. This really comforted the resident and family member."

Over the next several days, the three remaining winners will be notified by surprise and announced here. Each winner's photo will also be posted on the United Helpers' Facebook page.

Billie Jo and Bonnie join Allen Mills and Cindi Corbine from RiverLedge, as already announced Life Improved Award winners.

Twenty-one employees received nominations and each nominee will receive a small token of appreciation for the work they do to help improve the lives of the people we serve.

Welcome New Hires

RiverLedge

Kyle Ball - CNA
Jaime Larkins - CNA
Amanda Otis - CNA

Maplewood
Joann Foster - CNA
Taylor Hays - Task Aide

Flackville Road ICF #4
Meghan Martinez - DSP

Irish Settlement Road ICF#5
Katelyn Bertrand - DSP

Life Improved Awards - Allen Mills

The results are in and seven winners have been selected to receive Life Improved Awards. Today we're honoring Allen Mills.

Nominations were scored based on four criteria - improvement to the lives of others, embodiment the U.H. mission, examples provided show work above and beyond the duties of their job description, and the number of nominations received.

Allen, who received two nominations works in our IT department and has an office at RiverLedge. He was presented with a United Helpers Life Improved T-Shirt.

Here's just some of what people had to say about Allen.

"Allen stuck with something that we were willing to chalk up to either "gone" or "a big expensive fix." No one expected that we was going to save the company more than $10,000. His tenacity to fix the problem was completely above and beyond."

"He took time out of his busy day to help set up and tear down tables and chairs at last week's picnic at the RiverLedge Residence without even being asked. He's a huge asset to the United Helpers team."

Over the next several days, the five remaining winners will be notified by surprise and announced here. Each winner's photo will also be posted on the United Helpers' Facebook page.

Allen joins Cindi Corbine, also from RiverLedge, as already announced Life Improved Award winners.

Twenty-one employees received nominations and each nominee will receive a small token of appreciation for the work they do to help improve the lives of the people we serve.

Life Improved Awards - Cindi Corbine

The results are in and seven winners have been selected to receive Life Improved Awards. Receiving the most nominations and highest overall score was Cindi Corbine LPN.

Nominations were scored based on four criteria - improvement to the lives of others, embodiment the U.H. mission, examples provided show work above and beyond the duties of their job description and the number of nominations received.

Cindi, who received four nominations is an LPN in the Claxton neighborhood at RiverLedge. She was presented with a United Helpers Life Improved T-Shirt and a floral arrangement from Basta's Flowers & Gifts.

Here's what people had to say about Cindi.

"She makes the residents smile every day that she is here... when she has a day off, she is missed by the residents, their families and our staff."

"She is always one of the first ones to try and improve staff morale. She will often make goodies for birthdays for staff and residents. Just recently with help from another co-worker she went out of her way to arrange a birthday party for one of the residents with hats, cake and decorations. This particular resident was celebrating her 103rd birthday."

"She is always happy and pleasant to everyone.Whenever you work with her, it is a great day. She has a very positive mood and energy about her and it spreads to the staff and residents."

It was also noted that Cindi decorates her neighborhood for holidays throughout the year and has even purchased vintage art and frames to help give the wing a more homey feel.

Over the next several days, the six remaining winners will be notified by surprise and announced here. Each winner's photo will also be posted on the United Helpers' Facebook page.

Twenty-one employees received nominations and each nominee will receive a small token of appreciation for the work they do to help improve the lives of the people we serve.

United Helpers Television Commerical Filmed Thursday

A new television commercial  highlighting services offered by United Helpers was filmed Thursday.
Filming locations included Maplewood, Partridge Knoll, RiverLedge Residence and the Mosaic Complex. The commercial will highlight all of the ways that United Helpers improves the lives of those we serve and showcases our therapy, home health, day habilitation, case management and other members of our team.

The commercial will air on WWNY Channel 7 and WYNF Fox 28 this fall.
For a complete album of behind the scenes photos, click here.