Pennsylvania Health Care Association Announces 2015 Hero Award Winners

HARRISBURG —  The Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA) honored eight of the commonwealth’s best caregivers with the 2015 Hero Award for their extraordinary contributions toward the care of the state’s seniors during a ceremony on Nov. 10.

The winners work in long-term and post-acute care centers, including skilled nursing facilities, personal care homes and assisted living residences. They were nominated by their administrators or colleagues, and were chosen by an awards committee from more than 100 nominees.

“Our Hero Awards recognize the extraordinary members of our team who represent the ‘best of the best’ of compassionate health care and whose daily efforts contribute to the well-being of their residents, their families and their colleagues,” said PHCA CEO Stuart H. Shapiro, M.D. “They are elite medical professionals who have a positive impact on the quality of life in their communities and we are honored to work alongside them.”

The 2015 Hero Award ceremony took place during PHCA’s annual convention, held at Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pa. As part of the convention, the association made a short video about each winner — interviewing their colleagues and residents — that was shown during the awards program.

This year’s winners are:

• Elaine Smith, activities assistant at Franciscan Manor, has been honored as the Center for Assisted Living Management (CALM) Most Valuable Employee of the Year. You can view Elaine’s video at https://youtu.be/iTvYdKkHGf8.
• Joanne Digwood and Sharon Shandra, activity aides/CNAs at Riverside Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, have been honored as the PHCA Most Valuable Employee(s) of the Year. You can view Joanne and Sharon’s video at https://youtu.be/6gMzyubdWuY.
• Roseline Romain, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Maplewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, has been honored as PHCA CNA of the Year. You can view Roseline’s video at https://youtu.be/0f2R63pkMSw.
• Deb Fasnacht, CNA at Denver Health and Rehabilitation Center – Personal Care, has been honored as the Center for Assisted Living Management (CALM) Personal Care Aide of the Year. You can view Deb’s video at https://youtu.be/bcrC2CcJnyc.
• Terri Geary, director of nursing at Greensburg Care Center, has been honored has been honored as PHCA Nurse of the Year for her work at LaurelWood Care Center in Johnstown, Pa. You can view Terri’s video at https://youtu.be/9CdWbHcC69Q.
• Carmela Kane, administrator at Renaissance Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, has been honored as the PHCA Administrator of the Year. You can view Carmela’s video at https://youtu.be/8rqqcqOt1ik.
• Sandra Motchar, personal care administrator at West Haven Manor, has been honored as the Center for Assisted Living Management (CALM) Administrator of the Year. You can view Sandra’s video at https://youtu.be/PT4MN_p7pcg.