For all things United Helpers
OGDENSBURG – When United Helpers CEO Todd Amo spoke at the organization’s recent Margaret R. Spies Award presentation, he noted it was a shame that they could only honor three employees with these awards, as the organization is filled with people deserving of the honor.
“The award is only given to three employees out of more than 800,” Mr. Amo said. “While there are many more deserving of recognition, these three did rise to the top.”
This year’s awards went to Winnie DeLorenzo, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA/Activities Aide) in Ogdensburg; Carolyn Winters, a CNA in Canton; and Brenda Mahoney, a cook/direct support professional at the Rensselaer Falls IRA (Individualized Residential Alternative), each of whom were nominated by their peers for the honor.
United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Vice President of Operations Brittany Thornton said that this year their facility received more than 40 nominations for the award, although she noted more than a dozen of them were for Mrs. DeLorenzo, who has been employed by United Helpers for 37 years.
Mrs. Thornton said the most recognizable thing about Mrs. DeLorenzo is her voice.
“On most any day, you can open the door to a neighborhood and hear her singing, “You Are My Sunshine” to the residents. She has a very calming effect on them, as well as on her co-workers.
Timothy Parsons, who serves as Vice President of Operations in Canton, where Ms. Winters works and serves as a mentor, said that while he does not know Ms. Winters all that well, there were several things about her nomination that stood out.
“Carolyn is a night shift CNA, which is impressive. Given that nominations come from your peers, sometimes our night shift staff might be overlooked for these honors. The very fact that she was nominated as a night shift employee shows how impressive a CNA she is,” he said.
Staff Development Specialist Robin Leonard was among those who nominated Ms. Winters for the honor.
“I have watched new employees who completed orientation with Carolyn. They often mimic her standards of care and compassion,” Ms. Leonard said. “This shows me that she is an excellent teacher, and someone who takes great pride in her work Not only is Carolyn a model CNA, but she also demonstrates the true meaning of integrity.”
While Brenda Mahoney’s job may primarily be working as a cook, she is also trained as a Direct Support Professional; and Program Leader Paul Linden said this year’s winner from Behavioral Health and Life Services is far more than someone who simply prepares meals.
“Brenda always puts others first and is always ready to go out of her way to help anyone,” Mr. Linden said. “She provides residents with care, concern, and love, along with the occasional laugh that every one of our residents deserves and enjoys.”
Her knowledge, expertise, and attention to detail also sets her apart,” Mr. Linden said. “Brenda knows the dietary needs of our program members, better than many of us know our own family members,” he said. Almost anytime there is a discussion or disagreement between staff on the dietary needs of a program member, they can always agree on one thing… ‘Ask Brenda.’”
This year marks the 20th year of the Margaret R. Spies Awards. Since 2001 the award has been presented to three employees each year — one each from United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care in Ogdensburg, United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care in Canton and United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills — 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. Nominations for the honor come from fellow United Helpers employees.
A plaque that lists the names of all the Spies Award recipients hangs at United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care in Ogdensburg. With the pending closure of that facility, the plaque will be moved to another United Helpers location where it can continue to memorialize Mrs. Spies and honor the awards’ recipients.
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This year’s recipient of the Margaret R. Spies Award from United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg is Winnie DeLorenzo of Depeyster. Mrs. DeLorenzo is a CNA/Activities Aide. From left, Activities Leader Larry Worden, Mrs. DeLorenzo, Ann Spies, who created the award in memory of her mother, and RSC Ogdensburg Vice President of Operations Brittany Thornton.
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OGDENSBURG - United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg has been working with residents, resident representatives and staff on the pending closure of the facility.
Progress has been made with the placement of residents and
staff as we work our way through the closure process. The current resident
census is 89. No residents are being relocated outside of the North Country,
and the facility is actively securing alternate placement and care according to
their individualized preferences.
United Helpers has offered work for all direct care staff
affected by the closure at other locations throughout the United Helpers organization.
The Human Resources department is assisting staff with a training and a
transition plan as the census declines in the Ogdensburg skilled nursing
facility.
In addition to retaining our valuable staff, there are
other opportunities for direct care and increased pay incentives. United
Helpers has work available throughout St. Lawrence County allowing employment
close to home in a team-oriented environment. Opportunities are still available
in the areas of home health, skilled nursing, assisted living, housing and the
developmental and intellectually disabled population.
Inquiries by
residents or their representatives should be made to Stacey Cannizzo, VP
Clinical and Quality Services/Compliance Officer at slcannizzo@unitedhelpers.org,
(315) 393-0730 or (315) 393-3072 ext. 313.
Inquiries related to employment opportunities should be made to Human Resources at: tlgotham@unitedhelpers.org. You may also contact Tapanga Gotham for more information at (315) 393-3072 ext. 4270 or call/text (315) 276-6413.
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| The winners of this year’s Helen S. Randles Scholarships came from Ogdensburg Free Academy, Lisbon Central School, and Madrid-Waddington Central School. Three $750 scholarships are presented by the Society of the United Helpers each year from funds generated by an endowment created by the late Ms. Randles. Seated, from left, Emma Plumley of Waddington, Riley Baxter of Lisbon, and Mackenzie Spicer of Ogdensburg; second row, from left, Scholarship Committee members Dr. Edward Gordon, Molly Pressey, Yvonne Lewandowski, and Committee Chair Patti Wood. |
OGDENSBURG – Three high school seniors from a large field of applicants were honored with Helen S. Randles Scholarships.
The $750 scholarships are presented by the Society of the United Helpers from funds generated by an endowment created by the late Ms. Randles, who established the scholarship 45 years ago.
This year’s winners included students from Waddington, Lisbon, and Ogdensburg.
Mackenzie Spicer of Ogdensburg, will be attending SUNY Potsdam, where she is planning to major in psychology. Ms. Spicer hopes to one day become a Mental Health Counselor. She is the daughter of Chris Spicer and Lindsay Irvine.
Riley Baxter of Lisbon, will be attending SUNY Canton and entering the school’s nursing program. She is hoping to become a Registered Nurse. Ms. Baxter is the daughter of Amy Baxter.
Emma Plumley of Waddington, will be attending St. Lawrence University and majoring in psychology with a minor in exercise science. She is planning to become an Occupational Therapist. Ms. Plumley is the daughter of Nicole Thompson and Robin Plumley.
Society of United Helpers Board Member
Patti Wood chaired this year’s scholarship committee and praised the recipients
at the presentation.
“When we award these scholarships, it really is hard to decide who wins,” she said. “We don’t just look at your grade point averages. We look at your whole body of work, as well as everything you do in the community.”
Ms. Wood also offered the recipients a piece of advice, sharing with them some “things you will never learn in a book.”
“Caring, compassion, and kindness are the three most important traits any person can have,” she said. “If you exhibit each of these traits, you will go very far in life.”
She also advised them to look people in the eye when talking to them.
“That will tell you more than anything,” she said.
The Helen S. Randles Scholarship is awarded each year to three students from St. Lawrence County, who are furthering their education and planning to enter the health care field. Ms. Randles’s hope in creating the scholarship endowment was that the recipients would one day return to become United Helpers employees.
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| CEO Todd Amo and Vice President of Human Resources Michelle Matthews joined this year's winners for a photo. |
