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2008 TAHSA Award Winners
Sharing Your Story
Award of Honor
Lee Ann Hubanks
Plano Community Homes, Plano
Over 22 years ago, Lee Ann Hubanks served on our newly incorporated Plano Community Home Board of Directors that received donated land on which to build housing for low-income seniors. Once it was time to hire staff for the new property, she resigned as a board member to apply for the Administrator position. Once hired, she began working for a property with 73 apartments and has been so instrumental in growing the organization's portfolio over the years. Beginning as a "one-woman show," there was neither a job nor task that Lee Ann has not performed. Therefore, she can relate to each of her employees in all that their roles entail. She has dumped trash, unstopped toilets, driven residents on errands, and done a million other tasks while her Administrative duties piled up. Lee Ann is happiest when needed by a resident or a resident's family member to solve a concern that is weighing heavy on their mind, or when a resident or staff member just needs a moment of encouragement after venting his or her daily frustrations. In recognizing her selfless years of service and achievements to Plano Community Home, we are proud to present Lee Ann the 2008 TAHSA Award of Honor.
Nurse of the Year
Vicki Hamielec, RN
Grace Presbyterian Village, Dallas
Vicki Hamielec is a prime example of what it means to be a team player and loving servant. She has served in multiple leadership roles during her seven year tenure as first Unit Manager, then Assistant Director of Nursing, and now, ministry-wide Quality Care Coordinator for Grace Presbyterian Village. She leads by example and shows great flexibility by doing whatever is required of her to get the job done. She has a very encouraging and uplifting management style and those who work with her blossom. This year Vicki received RAC certification through EIA and implemented a CNA training program to improve ADL documentation. She also participated in a "PREPARE" training class given by Mather Lifeways, and assisted with disaster preparedness classes. Currently she is on the Texas Lane committee for the national "Advancing Excellence" program, sponsored by AAHSA. Vicki has for years worked diligently to make our long-term care community a success. She knows the regulations for long-term care very well and assists inensuring that we have programs in place which exceed these regulations. She has been a team player that would help out on other units whenever or wherever needed and stay until the job was done. She loves her residents and staff dearly and we greatly appreciate her receiving this well-deserved recognition.
Nursing Assistant of the Year
Shirley Campbell, CNA
Parkway Place, Houston
Shirley Campbell has served Parkway Place for 22 years. She is currently serving in the capacity of medication aide, but her abilities far surpass her certification. Her relationship with residents and families are the primary focus of this nomination. Shirley works the second shift and is an evening ritual with our residents. Many of them depend on her for personal needs which they feel can only be met by her. The difficult showers, medication resistance, and behavior issues that others may consider challenging are met with such enthusiasm, creativity, and sensibility, that all tasks are handled with ease. When Shirley is on duty, everything is smooth, everyone is happy and our facility is a better place all around. Shirley's tenure with our organization is our blessing as she shares experiences and memories with those around her. Her thoroughness is never questioned because she is always responsive, exhibits superb follow-up, and will complete a task beyond expectations. Shirley is a valuable mentor to new and younger aides because she has the ability to tap into their sense of heart that is necessary to teach them to perform their job with innate confidence. Her supervisors welcome her recommendations and suggestions because they are presented with sincere commitment. She embodies everything that long-term care could hope for its future. In fact, she's everything that anyone could hope for when thinking about care for their loved one.
Administrator of the Year
Deborah Wiegand
Air Force Village I, San Antonio
Last year Deborah Wiegand was promoted to a position where she serves as Administrator on one campus and also serves as Executive Director for two Air Force VIllage health care centers, and an assisted living facility. Clearly, such responsibility is only bestowed on individuals who show remarkable leadership and compassion. This talented lady has been an innovator and change agent from the very beginning. The TAHSA Leadership Development Task Force selected Deborah to become a part of its activities in 2002 and she has been a member of the Advisory Council for the Texas Long-Term Health Care Institute for more than seven years. She is a past Chair of the Leadership Development Task Force and continues to be part of the Committee, which was developed to create leadership education opportunities and to grow new administrators for long-term care. Deborah is also well known for her compassion for residents. We had a resident who had a reputation for being ornery, not just a little, but a lot. He was always complaining and no one could ever do anything right. When this gentleman was actively dying, I saw Deborah on her knees at his bedside holding his hand. In short, she created an atmosphere that clearly exceeds expectations of our residents and they dearly love her in return.
Philanthropist of the Year
Rufus "Buddy" Porter
C.C. Young, Dallas
Rufus "Buddy" Porter shared his financial success in real estate with his church, the elderly, and the community in which he lived. He never really spent a lot of money on himself and used his financial resources for other things and other people. Buddy's main interest was the elderly, especially those who didn't have enough resources. He was instrumental in founding and executing the We Care program at his church. Volunteers visit and take small gifts to members who cannot leave their homes. A charismatic person, he persuaded over 100 people to join him and other volunteers to make things at Easter and Christmas. Today church volunteers drive all over the county with gifts and greetings for the elderly. His passion was being a major financial supporter of C.C. Young. It was out of a deep respect for his mother that he chose this particular retirement community. When he was growing up, his mother would go there regularly to play the piano for the residents. Today, a new theater, named for his mother, exists at the retirement community providing a venue for beautiful music and other programming in a most attractive and accessible setting made possible by her son's gift. When he realized the theater needed a piano, he immediately called Steinway to deliver a new grand piano to make the music even more beautiful. But he didn't stop there. A new auditorium was needed and, once again, he "stepped up to the plate" with a major donation to make possible a large auditorium located next to the theater. At the time of his death, he was discussing the possibility of a swimming pool for the facility because he wanted residents to enjoy the benefits of a pool. While large gifts were important, he also realized the importance of small gifts. Like the We Care program at his church, Buddy wanted to make sure that individuals at the retirement community received gifts and were provided with opportunities to feel valued, recognized, and loved so he established an endowment for that purpose. His compassion was not only to do big things to make life more enjoyable for the elderly but to do the small things for individuals as well to let them know they were not forgotten. Buddy died in November but the legacy he left will live on through his major gifts and the endowment he established to recognize and care for others. It is for his vision, his kindness, and a love of people that he will long be remembered. We wish to honor him and to let people know the true extent and impact of the generosity and spirit of Buddy.
Mentor of the Year
Rhoda Byers
Plano Community Homes, Plano
Rhoda Byers has a long history as a mentor on both a personal and professional level. She has worked for Plano Community Home for almost twelve years. She started with one building and has completed her campus with three buildings. As the buildings were finished, Rhoda hired her staff, however, because of budget constraints, she was forced to hire staff with little or no experience in senior housing. Then through her mentoring skills, she would train them systematically using her techniques until each staff member felt like much more than just an employee. Due to these mentoring skills she has created a sharp, dedicated team of professionals who perform to her standards. She always has time for them and as a result, her staff works together like a well-oiled machine because of her mentoring. She is an encourager who helps motivate all staff. At her campus, Rhoda developed an ongoing program called the Ambassador Program. [This program is all about mentoring residents to accept and understand the cultures of others by cheerful, upbeat, and positive attitudes, primarily residents who do not speak English.] This program has been in existence for about five years. She has eleven languages spoken on her campus and yet the communication is better there than on many other housing campuses. Rhoda has an ability to help other senior housing administrators. She often helps brand new administrators or service coordinators with new HUD regulations or changes to Contract Administrator policies. Rhoda leads by example, models professionalism, and makes staff meetings fun while making her passion for service contagious.
Customer Service
Gloria Nell McDowell
Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home, Clifton
Gloria Nell McDowell works tirelessly and is the definition of customer service. She is willing to meet with families after normal business hours, on weekends and holidays. She worked for 35 years at Sunset Home as an LVN and then Assistant Administrator before retiring in 1999. She returned from retirement in January of 2004 to become the Admissions Coordinator. Gloria will personally move a bed and set up a TV if a resident makes a request after the hours that maintenance staff has gone home. She goes above and beyond any reasonable expectations to assure that residents are welcomed and that their families feel comfortable leaving their loved one at our facility. Her tireless efforts to enhance the admission experience and adjustment process make residents and families have a much easier time with nursing home admissions. She follows up with families to make sure that all is going well. Gloria goes out of her way with the discharge planners at the hospital to make discharges to our facility easier and smoother. Gloria educated herself on Medicare Part D in order to help the residents and their families understand and enroll in appropriate plans. She worked weekends during November and December to catch families who had not responded in order to personally walk them through this process of Medicare Part D enrollment. Thank you for awarding Gloria with the Customer Service Award because she is indeed a Customer Service Leader.
Ombudsman
Dale Nelsen
Texhoma Christian Care Center, Wichita Falls
Dale Nelsen has been serving the residents of Texas at Texhoma Christian Care Center for over three years. His regular visits are a bright spot in the day for not only the residents but also the staff. His calm personality and soft-spoken voice invite each to converse with him. Texhoma Christian Care Center encourages families and residents to utilize the services of our ombudsman particularly because we are confident in how he will handle a situation. Dale always listens to all of the facts and will make a recommendation based on these facts. He is patient with family members and residents who may be having problems understanding certain matters and will diligently continue to explain things to them until they have a thorough understanding. If while visiting with a family and resident, he learns that they have a concern that needs to be brought to the attention of facility staff, he will personally contact the appropriate department head to make them aware of the concern. Through his years of experience, he has learned much about not only our facility policies but also long-term care regulatory requirements. This allows him to counsel the family and resident about why or why not something may be, as they would like. Dale has a smile that you can spot across a crowded room and it is always a welcome sight.
Housing Professional
Rogue' Christensen
Plano Community Homes, Plano
Roque' Christensen has been with Plano Community Home for seven years. She has grown in this position over the years and is well respected at both TAHSA and AAHSA. Roque' continues to bring an energy and vision that has been missing from the senior housing environment at TAHSA. She strives to include all levels of housing. At her current facilities, she has successfully engineered a double refinancing and is overseeing a 1.3 million dollar renovation. As part of the renovations, she worked with the residents to set up a Beautification Committee. Under her guidance, this committee of residents has raised funds and selected paint colors, wallpaper border, paintings, mirrors, new furniture, exercise equipment, etc. to decorate the interior of the building. Her current project has been to take AAHSA Quality First and break down the ten parts into ten training sessions and relate them to housing. At each of our monthly staff meetings, she has developed a staff training based on each point. Once all ten were complete, she helped develop the Annual Staff Retreat using Open Space Technology and Quality First. It was a huge success. On top of all of this, Roque' assisted the Executive Director and Board of Directors in acquiring two troubled properties. She continues to take on responsibilities well above her required job duties to keep all the existing properties running smoothly so others can focus on the troubled properties. We consider ourselves very lucky to have a dedicated professional as part of our organization.
Environmental Services
Naomi Knight
Clarewood House Retirement Community, Houston
With each year, Naomi Knight has continued to enjoy a deeper connection with management, staff, and residents that makes her a vital member of the Clarewood House Retirement family. She is a full-time employee who has been with our facility serving as Director of Housekeeping since April 1979, working 40 hours a week since the beginning. Naomi's leadership and supervisory qualities are such that her department has the lowest turnover rate within our facility (in fact, for the last two years it has been 0 percent - unheard of in our industry.) She has empathy for and understanding of the lifestyles of her employees. She quickly gives recognition for jobs well done, letting them know daily that their jobs are the important services we advertise for our residents, and that they provide them. She counsels quickly when they need help in relating to our residents in positive ways as well as in using facility equipment in efficient ways. Her rapport with our vendors who serve her department is excellent. Our residents consider Naomi their trusted friend. She is among the first of the staff introduced to incoming residents, welcoming them and introducing them to their maids and laundry personnel. She will stop at nothing to help them feel at home from the first day here. We consider Naomi's department above all in customer service and her to be an outstanding employee worthy of the 2008 TAHSA Environmental Services Award.
Dietary Services
Eddie Chappell
Grace Presbyterian Village, Dallas
When you look at Eddie Chappell, you truly see God's servant. Eddie has been with us for five years ensuring that our resident's nutritional needs are met. Before her tenure here, she worked for another non-profit home for 13 years. Her teammates love and respect her - she takes a very kind and gentle approach. However, those teammates also know that they cannot mistake her kindness for not holding them to a very high standard, because she does! A manager stated, "Her team would walk through fire for her." Eddie is so humble and does not seek praise for the work that she does each day. She is the behind-the-scenes person who works tirelessly and diligently to get the job done. When times get tough, she gets her staff going! Eddie most recently led her teammates successfully during our massive kitchen renovation. For the first time ever in the state of Texas, a circus tent was set up as a temporary kitchen for several months while the renovations were completed. Eddie kept stability over the months with good humor, much nurturing, and a strong spirituality. She rolls up her sleeves and works right along side her team. From a fellow employee: I have known this teammate for 17 years. She is one of the most driven, caring, committed people I know. Her commitment is founded by her strong Christian faith and love for the elderly. For the residents, her number one goal is to "spoil them rotten and make them happy."
Life Enrichment
Beth Fisher
Christian Care Centers, Inc., Mesquite
Beth Fisher began her nine-year tenure with Christian Care Center as the Business Office Receptionist. When the Health Care Center Activity Director position became available, she applied. The camaraderie and rapport Beth had forged with the residents made her the perfect candidate. When she was readily hired, she said, "I feel like I have found my purpose in life." Her dedication to that purpose, over the past five years, has blossomed into what we believe is one of the best activity programs in the health care industry. CCC's Health Care Center activity calendar boasts over 100 different activities a month, and each one of them is planned with care, love, and concern for the residents' diverse interests and dedication to their social outgrowth. Always mindful of daily routine schedules, Beth makes sure that social activities are planned when as many residents as possible can participate. Beth's personality and true caring attitude for each of our 180 residents is evidenced by her Life Enrichment Program receiving a 98 percent approval rating each year of her five-year tenure from the residents. During our most recent survey, one of our residents "complained" that our facility had more activities than she was able to attend. When she relayed this to the Administrator, the surveyor laughed and said, "This is the first time I have ever heard that a facility had too many activities." For Beth's creativity, her ingenuity, her ever-apparent love of our residents' social well-being, and the energy she brings to every facet of the Life Enrichment Program, we honor Beth Fisher as the TAHSA Life Enrichment Employee of the Year.
Distinguished Services
Pearl Merritt, Ed.D., MS, MSN, RN
Buckner Retirement Services, Inc., Dallas
A recognized leader in Texas promoting the development of nurse aides, nurses, and managers to improve the overall quality of care for elders, Pearl Merritt developed the first career ladder for CNAs in Texas. Today she is the leader for culture change with new and existing care delivery models. Pearl sees long-term care as a field where people should have an elevated status and sense of purpose. She continuously shares this vision with others and seeks ways to enhance the lives of elders. Pearl took an active role with regional surveyors for the State of Texas on the Green House model, a total rethinking of the architecture, organization, staffing, and philosophy of care normally associated with nursing homes. This initiative is to enhance quality of care for seniors. The Green House model deinstitutionalizes long-term care by eliminating large nursing facilities and creating small group homes that focus on the habilitative and social needs of residents. As a leader, Pearl was instrumental in implementing organized intergenerational activities that have now been in Buckner Retirement Services for decades. Children, youth, adults, older adults, and elders routinely provide lasting impressions from the youngest to the oldest. These events put our retirement community elders in touch with members of surrounding communities at large, providing an avenue for sharing the wealth of knowledge our elders have in their possession, thereby completing the circle of life. Leader, advocate, innovator, and mentor, Pearl excels in all that she does.
Board Leadership
Walter Johnston
Cartmell Home for the Aged, Palestine
It has been said, "Nothing is sadder than for a man to have lived and when he is gone no one ever knew he had passed their way. " It is for sure and certain every life touched by Walter Johnston will know he has passed their way. Although it is not his chosen career, because Walter also holds a PhD in Geriatric Nutrition, he was a natural at making and serving coffee and hot chocolate not only for his family but for everyone in the dining room. This tradition continued long after he no longer had family members here. If there is a hamburger cook-out or any special function, he is always here serving in any capacity where he might be needed. Working as a "soda jerk" in our Alzheimer's Ice Cream Parlor is one of his favorite pastimes. Not only does Walter give of himself, he is also very supportive of Cartmell Home in a monetary way. He consistently makes substantial donations in support of our Nursing Scholarship Fund, purchased Team T-Shirts for our entire staff, as well as help sponsor the annual employee Fajita cookout. If that is not enough, he recently purchased two new electric hospital beds with pressure reduction mattresses and rails for two of our residents. Walter has served on our Board of Directors since 1985, currently holding the office of Secretary. His giving never ceases to amaze us.
Social Responsibility
Herb Hoxie
Highland Springs, Dallas
When Herb Hoxie speaks about his work and volunteerism through the Rotary, you can see passion, pride, and joy ignite. He loves to serve, but even more so he loves to see people grow and offer opportunities for future success. With the Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self' this man has not only applied it to his life, but he has become a living, breathing example of service above self and he encompasses the spirit of one who is dedicated to social responsibility. Herb has been a loyal and active member of the Rotary for 44 years. When asked the most memorable part of being a Rotarian his response was the projects that helped others. One specific project included helping two schools in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The first school they helped by painting and the second by reconstructing it from the ground up. This second school was originally a shed that had no walls or a bathroom. As he led this project, he collaborated with other Rotaries, including a local Rotary in Puerto Vallarta. Besides the idea, he also helped to gather funds for this major project. In one morning, he raised approximately $20,000. Another major project he has been involved in is the Polio Plus Campaign, an effort to immunize and help eradicate polio. This project not only includes providing the vaccination, but also the promotion and the education of the benefits. Herb has retired from work, but remains an activist to promote growth and opportunity for all. His 44 years of work and dedication has only strengthened his enthusiasm and he desires to continue this fight for global opportunity.
Community Service
Buckner Hearts in Action
Buckner Retirement Village, Dallas
Residents, many of whom are Veterans of World War II, now living in a retirement community began going to the Dallas airport in 2005 to provide support and to cheer and greet our troops as they arrived home. In early 2006, "Buckner Hearts in Action" was born and our seniors began partnering with the USO. On the first Monday of every month, residents dress in red, white, and blue and join our troops in the manifest area as our soldiers deploy. During the month, residents prepare items to take for our troops and they always add the "Hearts in Action" label to items they deliver. Snack foods and bottled water is always accepted and popular. In July, in honor of America's Independence Day, these patriotic seniors served B-B-Q Sandwiches, chips, cookies, and sodas to over 200 soldiers! We have been blessed to receive several thank you notes. One soldier wrote: "Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. I enjoyed the treats while on my way to Afghanistan. I will be away for 6 more months and am looking forward to returning home. God bless and thanks again." Another sent a Christmas card from Iraq and wrote: "To all the kind Hearts, thank you for all of your thoughts and support. We wish you a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year!" Members of "Buckner Hearts in Action" make a receiving line as the troops head toward their plane. Handshakes, hugs, smiles, and occasional tears are exchanged as our men and women in uniform leave America to defend her, always knowing that there are grateful folks at home praying for their safe return.
Innovation
Automated Dispensing Machine
Christian Care Centers, Inc., Mesquite
Christian Care Center-Health Care Center is the first long-term care facility in the United States to implement an Automated Medication Dispensing Machine, linked to eScribing. This innovative machine and program allows a nurse or physician to enter a medication order into a Web-based medication management application. In real time, the medication is reviewed for formulary benefit information, drug review for side effects and contraindications based on the resident's drug regime and active diagnoses. Recommendations and warnings are immediately available to the physician or physician's agent to be resolved. Once a medication order has passed these reviews, the order is sent to a pharmacist, via the Web, for clinical review. The pharmacist has all the necessary information available for complete clinical assessment before approving the order for dispensing. Once approved, the order is sent again through the web to the Automated Medication Dispensing Machine located in the facility to be dispensed to the resident. Partnering with proven pharmacy and technology companies, this Alpha project went "live" on June 1, 2007. Although still in the early stages, we have realized improved control of Medicare Part A drug cost - a 20 percent reduction; and elimination of faxing for new orders and changes, just to name a few benefits.
Click Here For Additional 2008 TAHSA Award Winners
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