Division

Name / Category

Linda Wall, RN*
Catherine Medeiros, LPN
Deloris Regan, CNA

Washington Township (WT) Office, Sewell, NJ
Cherry Hill (CH) Office, Cherry Hill, NJ
Atlantic City (AC) Office, Linwood, NJ

Karen Downey, RN
Melissa Godbolt, LPN
Liz Leighton, HHA

Linda Wall, RN, is a Hero on the Home Front to her clients and supervisors alike because of her skill, caring and reliability. Her work on a difficult case provides many examples of her willingness to go the extra mile for her clients. When there were staffing problems due to some of the difficulties of the case, Linda did not hesitate to try and help in any way she could-working longer hours and even trying to recruit nurses from the hospital where she works part-time. On more than one occasion, she worked extra hours to help the client and family through difficult situations. For the client's monthly visits to a clinic, Linda helps make all the travel arrangements-even transporting the client's wheelchair in her own van so the client can be more comfortable during the appointment. When the client was discharged from the hospital two days before Christmas, it became obvious that nursing care would be needed. Even though Linda has requested several days off to be with her family, she agreed to make daily visits for at least four hours a day-hours that often stretched longer. According to Linda's Staff Supervisor Rachelle Flowers, "Linda is a hero in every sense of the word, and her selfless devotion and commitment to her client truly represents what Bayada Nurses is all about. She is definitely a hero on a mission...to provide the best skilled, caring and reliable nursing care that she can."

Marcellus Williams, LPN, is known throughout the Greensboro Office for her skill, caring and compassion for her pediatric clients. Perhaps the nomination submitted by Director Shannon McCarson best expresses what makes Marcellus so special: "Marcellus (Cookie) Williams has quickly become a favorite of many patients and families that we serve. On more than one occasion, I have had the parent of a sick child call me in the morning after a night shift that Cookie worked to tell me that their child had a very rough night but Cookie handled it in an amazing fashion. The father of one child we cared for called one morning in tears exclaiming, 'I thought we were going to lose [my child] last night. Cookie was great...she was right there with him every step of the way. She comforted both me and him through the night until he became stable. Without her there, I have no doubt we would have lost my son. She is truly our hero.' This is just one example of the calls I receive from the parents whose children Cookie cares for. Her knowledge and devotion to her patients-along with her unique ability to interact with children-make her an incredible asset to Bayada Nurses. Cookie is also great about helping out with call-outs and open shifts. During her time with Bayada, she has worked 50 to 55 hours per week and has only missed two shifts. I think the mother of one of our vent-dependent kids said it best: 'Please don't ever take our Cookie away!'"

Valerie Huot, HHA, is truly a Hero on the Home Front to her clients. For her nomination, two family members of her clients wrote heartfelt letters attesting to Valerie's skill, caring and reliability. Excerpts from a letter submitted by a client's mother: "Valerie became my son's aide shortly after he was released from the hospital following a motor vehicle accident. She came into a home that has been turned upside down. Undaunted, Valerie quickly eased into a routine...and quickly gave me peace of mind as I watched her tend to all of my son's needs with a combination of remarkable skill and compassion. In a very short time, Valerie has become a valued member of our family." From a letter submitted by a client's husband: "Valerie is intelligent, efficient and always willing to do the extra things it takes to care for an Alzheimer's patient. She is punctual, dependable and always keeps me informed of any changes coming up in her schedule. She is well-trained, experienced, even-tempered, caring and real pleasure to have in my home." The letter goes on to describe how Valerie goes beyond the call of duty, such as taking the family cat to the vet, adapting the client's nightgowns to be more like hospital gowns, and taking time to style her client's hair.