Each of the 16 winners honored this year demonstrated exceptional achievement in their respective fields.
● Sherry Rush, a paralegal with Accent on Elder Law, was honored not only for her outstanding professionalism, but for understanding her clients' personal struggles. Her nominator recalled a time when, after a visiting a client at his home to go over documents, she noticed that there were no groceries in the kitchen. She then took the client to the grocery store and fixed him something to eat.
● Diane Bishop, the activity coordinator with Lutheran Community at Telford, a retirement community, was honored for the extra effort she puts forth for her residents. Her nominator recalled how she arrives before her 'official' starting time each day so she can converse with residents and assist them with breakfast. A licensed barber, Diane often spends her own time giving haircuts or trims to residents who cannot afford them.
● Paula Chamblain, a certified nurses aide with Comfort Keepers, a home care provider, was recognized for her commitment to treating clients like her own family. Her nominator recalled a first meeting with a client in which Paula immediately assured them that she was there to take care of everything like she would 'for her own mother.' The live-in caregiver even stayed up nights, giving the client's son the rest he needed to work during the day.
The following is a list of the 2006 ProAging Award winners, in alphabetical order.
Mary Belanich -- Arlington, Virginia
Diane Bishop -- Telford, Pennsylvania
Rhonda Campbell -- Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Dorothy Carey -- Dover, Delaware
Paula Chamblain -- Fairfax, Virginia
Laurie Duncan -- Falls Church, Virginia
Anita Evans -- Frederick, Maryland
Peggy Hemmeter -- Baltimore, Maryland
Hope Joyce-Burns -- Gaithersburg, Virginia
Dawn Quattlebaum -- Washington, D.C.
Sherry Rush -- Towson, Maryland
Marge Shriver -- Reston, Virginia
Margaret Smith -- Bethesda, Maryland
Barbara Sullivan -- Alexandria, Virginia
Pat Venable -- Towson, Maryland
Barb Waltimyer -- Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
A group of anonymous industry professionals selected the award winners, and the recipients were presented with an engraved plaque. Winners will be featured in upcoming issues of the Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook, at www.guidetoretirementliving.com and on ProAging.com, the senior living industry's leading professional organization.
"We were overwhelmed by the amount of outstanding entries this year, but these nominees really stood out," said Guide to Retirement Living publisher and ProAging.com founder, Steve Gurney. "Their tireless dedication and commitment to seniors brings a deserved prestige to their communities and organizations."
If you know a senior-serving professional who would be a good candidate for the 2007 ProAging awards, please download an entry form at www.proaging.com/proofs/ProAgingAWARDeflyer07.pdf.
The deadline for entries is September 17, 2007.
# # #
.jpg)
Comment Preview