1st Quarter 2002 National and Division Heroes

National Heroes
RN Category: Gloria Lindsay -Tulip Division, Wilmington (WIL) Office, Wilmington, DE
LPN Category: Jane Wells -Magnolia Division, Charlotte (CHA) Office, Charlotte, NC
HHA Category: Deborah Young - Magnolia Division, Charlotte Personal Care (CPC) Office, Charlotte, NC

Division Heroes

* denotesNational Hero of the Quarter

Gloria Lindsay, RN, works with a cancer patient who has battled the disease for 10 years. The patient is described by a friend as "a very upbeat person with a terrific outlook on life." However, time and her latest setback in her health had worn her down. The client's daughter, who lives in Nebraska, says, "Gloria came into the home of my mother as a stranger, yet had a job that required the most intimate of a relationship. I consider Gloria a hero for what she has done to heal not only (my mother's) wounds but also her soul. Surviving cancer for 10 years has been hard for my mother, but this open wound has been one of the hardest parts for her to deal with." The client expressed to her daughter, "If Gloria wasn't my nurse, I could very easily be her friend." The client took that comment further by adding, "I had the luxury of feeling safe with Gloria-safe as a trusted friend or family member." The client's friend added, "Gloria was a smile and a gentle touch that means so much."

Jane Wells, LPN, became a "key team player for me personally," says Division Director Melinda Phillips, after meeting her two years ago. It was then that Jane's client of seven years, who has Werdnig Hoffman's disease and a trach and vent, had problems with another home health care company. Jane remained loyal to her client by transferring to Bayada with him. Melinda says, "She helped make the transition smooth. She oriented new nurses, helped schedule, and caught the relatively new CHA team up to speed on what has proven to be one of our most challenging cases." Jane's skill is evident by her client's account: "One time as I was being transferred into my chair from the ceiling lift, the lift started to automatically raise up before I was completely out. Preventing me from falling to the floor, Jane heroically grabbed my body and kept me from serious injury." However, it is Jane's relationship with her client that has become something remarkable over the years. If one believes the saying that friendship is one mind in two bodies, then Jane and her client have exactly that. The client says, "Jane has worked on my case for so long that she knows what I'm going to ask for even before I ask it!" Even a co-worker that Jane oriented to the case acknowledges this bond, "We should all have the rapport with our clients that Jane has with (her client). Jane is not only a team player, but an awesome nurse." Melinda adds, "Jane is an inspiration to others and irreplaceable."

Although Deborah Young, HHA, has only been with Bayada Nurses a short time, she has proven to be someone who "is always upbeat, will never turn down an assignment, and is never afraid to take on a challenge," says Staff Supervisor Elizabeth Adams. After trying to work through her first client's problem with flea infestation until the case ended, Deborah took on a challenge of a totally different nature-a client with end-stage AIDS. The client's case manager explains, "It was difficult to get someone to come in the home and work with my client, because of fear of contracting the illness or because of the stigma associated with the illness or just because of ignorance. We had difficulty getting and keeping aides." It is said that a real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. Deborah proved to be a real friend. Nursing Supervisor JoAnn Rathbun said, "Even though the client, in her illness, was initially rude to Deb, and the family was defensive and untrusting, Deborah would not lose hope. She won the family's trust and respect and has truly made a difference in the way this family is coping with this devastating illness." The case manager added, "From the very start, when Deborah came into my client's home, she exemplified the kind of aide we pray for. She cared for my client in a most loving way. She not only took care of her very personal needs, but she also took care of her spiritual needs." With Deborah's care and encouragement, the week that this client was given to live turned into another two months. Staff Supervisor Nicole Combs says, "Deborah is a joy to work with. She embodies what a hero should be."