The 2011 Nursing Assistant of the Year: Kaleb Gibbs
As a Nusing Assistant for the Idaho State Veterans’ Home in Pocatello, Idaho, Kaleb reinforces the importance of caring for veterans – he treats them like the people they are, and not a medical records number. “Kaleb’s father was a veteran, and he takes pride in that,” said Darcel Cook, admissions coordinator at the Veterans’ Home. “He is a true supporter of our mission to care for America’s Heroes. Kaleb takes great pride in the service we provide for the veterans and their family members. He can frequently be heard saying ‘We are the best facility in the state!’”
As the winner of the Nursing Assistant of the Year award, Kaleb received a $5000 scholarship that he will use in the pursuit of a degree in nursing. “He will do anything in his power to make sure the elderly are cared for in a professional and loving manner,” said Darcel.
Kaleb added the Nursing Assistant of the Year award to his growing list of accolades – he has already won several awards from his facility and from Idaho state associations. He routinely goes above and beyond to assist both residents and coworkers.
On Christmas, in his own time, he took presents to a veteran who had been moved to another facility. When asked why, he said “He’s still a veteran, and we still love him even though he’s not currently here.” His list of outrageous good deeds also includes things like driving 100 miles to help the widow of a resident visit a distant friend, and mentoring and helping his co-workers by organizing shifts so that each employee’s talents are utilized to their full potential.
Because of the economy, and tight state budgets, the Veterans’ Home was interested in promoting their name and services in the community. Kaleb took initiative, created and ordered magnetic signs to place on transport vehicles as they took residents to and from doctor appointments.
“Kaleb has an impeccable work ethic,” said Darcel. “He is willing to do the work to achieve his goals. He doesn’t cut corners and has excellent organization and prioritization skills which he shares with his peers to help them develop their own skills.”
Two other outstanding nursing assistants were chosen as runners-up. Aaron Bodling from Wellington Place in Decorah, IA, and Crystal Majors of Franke at Seaside in Mt. Pleasant, SC, both received $500 scholarships towards the completion of their nursing degrees and $500 contributions to the continuing education funds at their facilities.
The 2010 Nursing Assistant of the Year: Amy Harrison
Cerner Extended Care and the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators (AANAC) were proud to name Amy Harrison of Storm Lake, IA, the Nursing Assistant of the Year, and the winner of the 2009 Nursing Assistant of the Year Scholarship program. The program paid $5,000 towards the completion of Amy’s nursing degree, and $1,000 to her facility’s continuing education fund. Amy received her award at the AANAC Conference in Las Vegas on April 29, 2010.
Hundreds of hard-working nursing assistants were nominated, but in the end it was Amy’s outstanding dedication to resident care and her impressive activities on behalf of nursing assistants everywhere that won over the independent panel of judges from AANAC.
Amy’s achievements include speaking with national legislators in Washington D.C. on behalf of the residents under her care, and inspiring her co-workers by acting as a motivational speaker at her facility. She raised morale and implemented an orientation and mentorship program that helped dramatically lower the turnover rate at her facility. Amy’s nomination also included a heart-warming letter from a resident under Amy’s care. The resident said she felt like she could be Amy’s mother, and continued by saying, “There is no person that is more deserving of an award of this nature.”
Perhaps most touching, was a passionate article Amy wrote about the importance of nursing assistants. “I am a CNA,” she wrote. “Everything you do for yourself in the morning before you go to work, I do for someone else. I hear stories of great happy times and sad times. I hear fears in the voices that just got bad news from the doctors. I give and receive wonderful hugs. I make people smile and laugh. I hold the hands of the wonderful people who are taking their last breaths and I whisper that it is OK to go. I comfort the loved ones who are grieving. That’s what I do. That’s who I am. I am a CNA!”
Two outstanding runners-up were also chosen. Christene Wierima from Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN, and Yvonne Rivera of the Catalina Care Center in Tucson, AZ, will both receive $500 scholarships towards the completion of their nursing degrees and $500 contributions to the continuing education funds at their facilities.
The 2009 Nursing Assistant of the Year: Crystal Enwiller
CareTracker and AANAC were proud to honor Crystal Enwiller of Rosholt, SD as the 2008 Nursing Assistant of the Year, and winner of the Nursing Assistant of the Year Scholarship program. She received $5,000.00 towards the completion of her nursing degree. Crystal was chosen for her dedication to the field of long-term care and her abilities as a positive, caring, professional member of the Rosholt Care Center team. In 2008, she went above and beyond her assigned duties, including mentoring new employees, volunteering for fundraisers, coordinating special events (like motorcycle rides for residents), stepping up to keep the facility staffed during a week-long ice storm, and serving as the staff activities coordinator. She also used her own experiences with Type I Diabetes to educate others about the serious disease. Jeanne Magnuson, RN, Director of Nursing at Rosholt Care Center, said: “She greets everyone who comes to the facility with a smile and knows residents and their families very well. Crystal has good professional standards and morals and practices them daily, two qualities that cannot be taught.”
Crystal drives 120 miles round-trip on a regular basis to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and has already committed to remain at Rosholt Care Center as a nurse upon completing her degree. She is the mother of two young boys, and has been very busy since receiving the award!
Two runners-up were also chosen for the 2008 scholarship award, and each won a $500 scholarship towards completion of their nursing degrees. The runners-up were Jess Tormanen from the Good Samaritan Society of Howard Lake, MN and Jennifer Cordisco of the Pickering Manor Home in Newtown, PA.
Crystal received her award at the AANAC 10th Anniversary Conference in Kansas City on March 5, 2009.