Midwest Region
Judy Stephens, HHA – Jamestown, TN
“Judy has a way of keeping the patients’ minds off their illnesses and helping them complete their most intimate needs while letting them feel they have done most of the work themselves.” – Nomination from coworker
Judy Stephens believes that she’s the lucky one. “I’m just doing my job!” she often says. Despite raising a daughter with disabilities and losing her home to fire, she’s always upbeat, positive, and generous. Her patients write letters thanking her for helping them fold laundry and picking them up to attend Easter dinner with her family. All four of the care centers she works with nominated her for this award. Judy’s kind heart and compassionate spirit make her an inspiration to everyone she meets.
Northeast Region
Pedro Vargas, HHA – Agawam, MA
“I have never encountered a person with as much compassion, caring, and pride in what he does and offers to his patients as Pedro Vargas.” – Nomination from coworker
Patients rave about Pedro Vargas. He makes them comfortable, provides emotional support, and goes above and beyond in his role as a home health aide. When a patient mentioned he loved Dunkin’ Donuts, Pedro started stopping there every morning for him. When he noticed a blind man’s bathroom wasn’t as clean as it could be, he scrubbed it. And when he heard a man was dying in a hospital alone on Super Bowl Sunday, he drove to the hospital and watched the game with him. His patients, his coworkers and his supervisors have all written letters detailing the amazing attitude and spirit that Pedro possesses.
Southeast Region
Ella Marie Barnes, HHA – Savannah, GA
“She truly loves her patients and what she does for Amedisys.” – Nomination from coworker
After 31 years as a home health aide, Ella Marie Barnes isn’t going to let breast cancer keep her from her patients. “I’ll just start with one patient,” she said when she returned to work. She was short of breath and pale from treatment, but she tearfully admitted that she missed them. Soon she was caring for more and more people. It’s that dedication combined with her kind and gentle spirit that is the reason patients ask for her by name. She is dependable, trustworthy and such a great example for the other clinicians in our company.
West Region
Nancy Landrum, HHA – Surprise , AZ
“She is a genuine angel of mercy and has a healing touch and caring spirit that one recognizes immediately from the moment they meet her.” – Nomination from coworker
Meeting Nancy Landrum, you’d never know she had suffered so much personal tragedy. She always has a smile on her face, never complains, and is the first one to offer to work for someone else who is struggling. But, Nancy’s son was diagnosed with a brain tumor as a boy, and a few years later her husband began suffering from multiple sclerosis. The stress of being a caregiver at home and at work must be difficult, but she’s never mentioned it. Through it all, Nancy has cared for her patients with grace and empathy. She often cleans homes for patients who can’t, calls to check on them after hours, and talks to social workers about concerns she can’t fix herself. She’s the first to bring donuts and make coffee in the mornings and is always available for a hug and an encouraging word.