GOOD NEWS

GOOD NEWS

- 2005 Caregiver of the Year
- 2005 District Caregivers of the Year
- Past Caregivers of the Year

THCA names Persian Gulf vet
 Caregiver of the Year

In the United States, we like nothing more than paying tribute to each other. From the music we play to the movies we watch, from the discoveries we make to the money we raise, we don’t let good works go unnoticed. In keeping with this tradition of recognition, two very special groups of people were honored on Friday, Nov. 11, 2005 – U.S. veterans and Tennessee nursing home caregivers.

On the federal level, this nation celebrated Veterans Day on Nov. 11, and President Bush wrote in a proclamation that, “Americans owe a great debt of gratitude to those who have sacrificed for our liberty and for the security of our nation.”

On the state level, Tennessee’s governor, Phil Bredesen, proclaimed Nov. 11 Nursing Home Caregiver Appreciation Day. He asked citizens to join in and recognize nursing home employees for “their assistance in providing the right care at the right time.”

For Evelyn Jones the veteran and for Evelyn Jones the long-term care nurse, there was no shortage of attention on Nov. 11.

For her work at The King’s Daughters & Sons Home as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), Jones was honored as THCA’s 2005 Caregiver of the Year. Jones was also recognized for having served as a practical nurse with the 807th Surgical Hospital during Operation Desert Storm.

In a special ceremony at the Bartlett long-term care facility, Jones was presented with a plaque and a “ticket” signifying a three-day Carnival cruise by Joe Birch, co-anchor for WMC-TV’s Action News 5; Mike Cole, THCA executive director; and Ron Arrison, executive director of The King’s Daughters & Sons Home. She was celebrated by approximately 100 of her co-workers, patients, family members and friends. State Rep. Tre’ Hargett (R-Bartlett) took part as well.

“This is a big deal to have the Caregiver of the Year in The King’s Daughters & Sons Home,” said Birch. “The people over in East Tennessee live closer to Canada than to Memphis. This is the number one lady in the entire state. This is a big deal!”

In addition to THCA’s presentation on Nursing Home Caregiver Appreciation Day, Jones received:
• $500 from The King’s Daughters & Sons Home;
• A certificate presented by Bartlett Alderman Emily Elliott for Mayor A. Keith McDonald;
• Red roses from Rosemary Lewis, the daughter of a former patient;
• A $300 American Express gift card from Druzak Medical (formerly Omni Healthcare), THCA Gold Star Club member, and Sales Rep. Pam McFarland;
• $500 from Crossroads Hospice of TN, presented by Jean Harrison;
• A $100 gift card from Paragon Rehabilitation, presented by Jan Humphreys; and
• $300 from THCA’s Memphis District, presented by Memphis District President Sally Ostheimer.

Also, Hardin’s SYSCO sponsored the reception following the presentation.

Jones has worked as an LPN in long-term care for 30 years. Before joining the team at The King’s Daughters & Sons Home, she maintained a job at the same long-term care facility for over 20 years.

“Evelyn is the sweetest nurse,” said Anne Kirchoff, the grandmother of one patient and sister of another. “She takes an interest in all her patients and their families. She never misses even the tiniest detail. Evelyn is an unusually special person.”

Jones’ commitment to the facility, her patients and her co-workers is evidenced through her attendance record, positive attitude and the high quality of care she provides. She is known for the love and concern she shows for others.

“My mother was so fortunate to have Evelyn taking care of her,” said Lewis. “I did not realize just how fortunate she was, we all were. Evelyn is the most positive thing. She brought Mom coffee at 10 a.m. almost every day and shared her coffee break with her.”

According to Arrison, Jones tirelessly gives of herself daily to ensure that every day is the best day possible for patients. She reflects a positive image of nursing home care. He says when she is working, her entire hall is uplifted, and this does not go unnoticed by visitors.

“Evelyn goes out of her way to make sure that patients enjoy all the holidays, big or small, by decorating the work stations and personally dressing patients for programs involving costumes or special attire,” said Nicole Wiles, assistant administrator at The King’s Daughters & Sons Home.

And, not only does she go above and beyond for patients, she does this for her employees as well.

“Evelyn brings specialized T-shirts for her employees to wear on the holidays,” said Wiles. “She always celebrates births of children and other milestone events by starting celebrations or with special gifts.”

Wiles described, in the nomination materials for Jones, one patient who is particularly dependent upon her help. This 21-year-old patient named Jessica Molta attends a local high school. Jones takes her to teacher conferences and school programs. She makes sure she is ready each morning by paying special attention to her grooming and ensuring her lunch is in hand before she gets on the bus.

In response to questions from Jones just after the Caregiver of the Year ceremony, Molta agreed, with a huge smile, that Jones spoils her.

According to Arrison and Wiles, everything extra Jones does is done voluntarily. She never allows it to interrupt her work, and she never asks for reimbursement.

“She is truly a remarkable person who receives great satisfaction from enhancing the lives of others,” Arrison said.

On two occasions, Jones has won Employee of the Quarter at The King’s Daughters & Sons Home. She is also frequently recognized on a quarterly basis for her attendance.

“Evelyn receives glowing reports from everyone,” said Jean Tugwell, city union president for The King’s Daughters and Sons of Memphis and Shelby County and ex-officio board member for The King’s Daughters & Sons Home. “Everyone just thinks she is marvelous.”

Jones’ only break from long-term care patients came when she served as a practical nurse with the 807th Surgical Hospital during Operation Desert Storm. She remains active in the U.S. Army Reserves. Jones received an Army Commendation Medal for Outstanding Service in Operation Desert Storm, as well as a Certificate of Appreciation for serving.

“We are all so very proud of Evelyn for receiving this prestigious award,” said Mary Montgomery, The King’s Daughters & Sons Home board president. “She so deserves this award because she goes way beyond her job. It is because of people like her that we have such a good home.”

Jones is just one of approximately 35,000 dedicated and hard-working employees who ensure that more than 34,000 elderly and disabled patients in Tennessee’s nursing homes receive the quality, round-the-clock care they need. In 1999, THCA developed Nursing Home Caregiver Appreciation Day and the Caregiver of the Year award as a way to honor all long-term caregivers for their achievements.

THCA member facilities select Caregivers of the Year and nominate them for district and statewide honors. Special selection committees choose winners in each of THCA’s six geographical districts, and they are recognized each year at THCA’s Convention (see below). The association’s Public Relations Committee selects the statewide Caregiver of the Year from the pool of district honorees.


2005 District Caregivers of the Year

Each year, THCA honors one person from each of its six geographic districts as District Caregivers of the Year. Evelyn Jones, the statewide Caregiver of the Year, was chosen from the six 2005 district winners.

This year’s district winners include a CNA who, despite numerous health issues, never stops providing quality care; a woman who is known for representing the long-term care profession well no matter where she is or what she is doing; and another who has never missed a day of work in 25 years and always goes out of her way for patients.

The district winners were honored at THCA's 58^th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Nashville in August.

To read more about the five other district winners, click on their names below.

Jackson District, Janace Dabbs, Lewis County Manor;
Nashville District, Kathryn McCroskey, Boulevard Terrace Rehabilitation and Nursing Center;
Chattanooga District, Ruth Kirby, Life Care Center of Cleveland;
Knoxville District, Arlene Foust, Rockwood Care & Rehabilitation Center; and
East Tennessee District, Juanita Dooley, Appalachian Christian Village.

Past Caregivers of the Year

In 1999, members of the Tennessee Health Care Association developed the Caregiver of the Year award as a way to recognize and pay tribute to the selfless individuals who go the extra mile daily in the state’s nursing homes.

The statewide award is presented every year on Nursing Home Caregiver Appreciation Day in November. District winners are honored in September at THCA’s Convention, and numerous facility Caregivers of the Year are honored each year by the staff at their own facility.

In the first year of the award, the THCA Public Relations Committee selected JoAnn Payne of Quality Care Health Center in Lebanon from a pool of 99 nominees as the inaugural statewide Caregiver of the Year. In a special ceremony, Dr. Fredia Wadley, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), presented the award.

Nancy Noles, of Knollwood Manor in Lafayette, was honored in a special ceremony as THCA's 2000 Caregiver of the Year. State Sen. Charlotte Burks (D-Monterey) presented the award to Noles.

In 2001, Kathy Burnett, activity director at Country Place Health Care Center, was awarded the honor. Tennessee first lady Martha Sundquist presented Burnett with her prize at Country Place in Crossville.

In 2002, Glen Bunton, a CNA at Appalachian Christian Village in Johnson City, was recognized as Caregiver of the Year. Stacey King, a local television news personality on WJHL-TV, Channel 11, presented the award.

THCA’s 2003 Caregiver of the Year Addie Brewer, a LPN/floor nurse at Highland Manor Nursing Home in Portland, accepted the award from Judy Eads, assistant commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH).

Jennifer Harber, of Crockett County Nursing Home in Alamo, was honored in a special ceremony as THCA's 2004 Caregiver of the Year.  State Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) presented the award.

For more information on Caregiver of the Year, contact THCA's Communications Department or send an e-mail to info@thca.org

“Good News” is a feature designed to spotlight some of the many positive aspects of long-term care in Tennessee. Know of a “good news”  item? Contact THCA’s Communications Department at info@thca.org.