3rd Quarter 2000 National and Division Heroes

National Heroes

RN Category: Nancy Bojarski - Snapdragon Division, Burlington (BUR) Office, Burlington, NJ
LPN Category: Kathleen Resnick - Forget-Me-Not Division, Pinellas Park (PP) Office, Pinellas Park, FL
HHA Category: Elizabeth Green - Snapdragon Division, Voorhees Pediatrics (VP) Office, Voorhees, NJ

Division Heroes

* denotesNational Hero of the Quarter


Nancy Bojarski, RN, has been nurse to her quadriplegic client for 8 years, but the client's declining health over the past two years has truly been a test of her skill. The client has been hospitalized frequently, sometimes for up to six months at a time. Nursing Supervisor Ellen Weist explains: "Nancy traveled to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia for her shifts. The client was at 'death's door' many times and it was Nancy who interceded with the hospital staff. They often depended on her years of experience with and knowledge of the patient. I feel she was responsible for saving the patient's life more than once. When the patient was trached and vented, Nancy willingly became skilled and competent in these areas through training. She is currently in the final process of obtaining her Pennsylvania license. All this in order to provide continuity of care." Ellen continued, "Each summer, Nancy travels to Ocean City-again to assist her client in his home there. Together with her skill and caring, Nancy maintains her sense of humor, often joking and teasing her patient into good quality of life." Staff Supervisor Mary Hockstein indicated, "Nancy is a day-to-day heroine. She is dedicated beyond measure to her client and his family while maintaining her professional demeanor. She is only frustrated when she feels she cannot do enough for him."

Kathleen Resnick, LPN, has worked for over 8 years with the same head trauma client, who requires complex 24-hour care. In August, the client's wife learned she had colon cancer and needed immediate major surgery. She would be incapacitated not only for the week she'd have to remain in the hospital, but for months of recovery afterwards. The wife explained: "I have no family here and all my friends, although very supportive, work and have families of their own. All of my husband's nurses have pitched in, but none like Kathleen." Kathleen learned about the client's food allergies and how to shop for and prepare appropriate meals for his G-tube. She learned where to pick up mail and provided moral support during the wife's doctor appointments. On Kathleen's wedding anniversary, she admitted the client's wife into the hospital and stayed until the 12-hour surgery was complete and she could see that everything went OK. She visited the client's wife in the hospital, and even arranged for the client to visit and see for himself that his wife was OK. She assumed extra shifts and worked doubles if needed to ensure quality care. Prior to Kathleen bringing the wife home, she went on her own time to assist the scheduled nurse with the husband's shower, as it requires two people. Although a hurricane warning was in effect and would have hit later that day during Kathleen's shift, she was there. Staff Supervisor Gail Parnell says, "Kathy shows a special dedication to her patients and their families. She is dedicated and demonstrates impeccable integrity and professionalism in her nursing care. She is a team player, reliable and sincere." The client's wife says, "I cannot imagine a better nurse or friend doing what she has done for me."

Elizabeth Green, HHA, has had a tremendous impact on one particular family. The mother of two of Elizabeth's clients describes: "Elizabeth originally came to our home to help with (one of my children) while I was completing chemotherapy. She entered a home that was in shellshock. My husband had died the previous year, and then we all had to deal with cancer. I'm surprised she had the courage to walk in the front door. Twelve special needs children can be rather intimidating. Elizabeth, though, just bounced in and treated us as she would any other family. My children were enamored by Elizabeth's personality." Elizabeth recently started caring for a second child in the same home. The mother proclaims, "Now both girls giggle when they hear her come into the house." The mother adds, "From the beginning, Elizabeth has been invaluable. Her home health skills are excellent. Even the dogs are in love with Elizabeth!" Nursing Supervisor Susan Ecker describes Elizabeth as an "indispensable member" of this family that works as a team, ensuring all individual needs are met. After all, she says, "It was Elizabeth who made the call to Bayada, asking for help when another agency could no longer service them."