PHCA/CALM Announces 2014 Hero Award Winners

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Health Care Association/Center for Assisted Living Management (PHCA/CALM) today announced that seven caregivers from across the state were recognized Tuesday, Nov. 11 with the 2014 Hero Award for their extraordinary contributions toward the care of Pennsylvania’s seniors.

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 PHCA/CALM’s awards committee from more than 100 nominees.

“Our Hero Awards recognize individuals who every day go far beyond their job duties to make a difference in the lives of their residents, their families and their colleagues,” said PHCA/CALM President and CEO Stuart Shapiro, M.D. “They are the ‘best of the best’ among caregivers, and we are incredibly proud of the care they deliver and the example they set.”

The winners received their award Tuesday, Nov. 11, at PHCA/CALM’s annual convention at Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pa. The association made a short video about each winner — interviewing their colleagues, residents, and residents’ family members — that was shown during the awards program.

This year’s winners are:

• Robert Etchells, Executive Director of Golden LivingCenter-Hillview, has been honored as the PHCA Administrator of the Year. You can view Robert’s video at http://youtu.be/1ce3aQMHcKo.
• Brenda Campbell, Personal Care Home Administrator at Quality Life Services’ Chicora Medical Center has been honored as the CALM Administrator of the Year. You can view Brenda’s video at http://youtu.be/4yD8Rbg_Nn0.
• Mary Kay Gee, a registered nurse at Carleton Senior Care and Rehab Center has been honored PHCA/CALM Nurse of the Year. You can view Mary Kay’s video at http://youtu.be/sV5WUM-RiKc.
• Kris Littlefield, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at HCF Edinboro Manor has been honored as PHCA CNA of the Year. You can watch Kris’s video at http://youtu.be/GQ7-YbKXLAc.
• Sandra Millovich, a Personal Care Aide at ManorCare Health Services Elizabethtown has been honored as the CALM Personal Care Aide of the Year. You can view Sandra’s video at http://youtu.be/Nbnhj_rqSx4.
• Nancy Newman, Director of Activities at Sterling Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Medina, Pa., has been honored as the PHCA Most Valuable Employee. You can view Nancy’s video at http://youtu.be/Hhy67xADCF0.
• Jadranko Jandric, Food Service Director at Mount Vernon South Park, has been honored as the CALM Most Valuable Employee. You can view Jadranko’s video at http://youtu.be/Wj_eK0MooPk.