Page 21 - Perspective Magazine

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for long-term care

Leticia Lopez of White House

Health Care wins the 2023

THCA Caregiver of the Year award

A of her facility just north of Nashville. Since start-
s a CNA at White House Health Care, Leticia Lopez
handles a broad spectrum of responsibilities, in-
cluding working her hall, training new employees,
assisting with education, and serving as a primary
communicator with families of residents.
But her impact can be felt beyond the walls

ing at White House in 2013, Lopez has
brought in dozens of people to apply for work
— many of whom were ultimately hired and
still work at White House, its sister facility
or other long-term care centers. She has
even provided child care to some of those employees so they could work a 12-
hour night shift.
That dedication to being an ambassador for her profession while also
maintaining a compassionate commitment to her patients earned Lopez the
2023 Caregiver of the Year award from THCA during a ceremony at Lopez’s fa-
cility on Friday, Nov. 17. THCA President Sonya Kemp made the presenta-
tion to Lopez, who won a trophy and a cash prize of $2,500 from THCA.
State Rep. William Lamberth also was on hand to present Lopez with a leg-
islative proclamation in her honor. Additionally, THCA Director Government
Affairs Reina Reddish spoke to attendees about the association and explained
the details of the Caregiver of the Year program. Various other White House
staff members and residents also attended the ceremony, and guests enjoyed
cake and other refreshments following the presentation.
THCA developed Nursing Home Caregiver Appreciation Day and the
Caregiver of the Year award in 1999 as a way to recognize and pay tribute to
individuals who have devoted their careers to improving the lives of those
whose conditions require round-the-clock attention in a state-licensed nurs-
ing facility. The Caregiver of the Year program includes the recognition of
honorees in each of THCA’s six districts: Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Chat-
tanooga, Knoxville and East Tennessee.
District winners were presented with plaques during the annual
THCA/TNCAL Convention & Trade Show last summer at the Music City Cen-
ter in Nashville. THCA’s Public Relations Committee selected the statewide
Caregiver of the Year from the pool of six district honorees.

Text and photos by Jay Moore

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