Heroes on the home front

We are proud to honor our 2013 Heroes of the Year:

Leoard Barringer, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Leonard Barringer, COTA, joined the Cabarrus, NC   home health office in 2008. Director Marie McCarter receives at least one call a week from clients who just have to share how extraordinary their care with Leonard has been. "Leonard is someone who always greets others with a smile on his face". Division Director Lucy Richards shares, "His bright smile and quick wit makes everyone laugh when he walks in. He approaches every client with a positive attitude and pushes them to achieve their best."

Clients sing his praises through many unsolicited letters, and numerous client satisfaction surveys mention Leonard by name. He is committed to advancing the profession of occupational therapy and is currently helping a local college become accredited for an   occupational therapy program. As part of his work with the school's program, Leonard has taken many students with an interest in health care out on observations with him. When their time with Leonard is up, the students are hooked on occupational therapy!

Recently, a state surveyor witnessed Leonard's work firsthand saying, "I have never witnessed such patience on a home visit. Leonard took his time, constantly encouraging the client, pushing on despite protests. I would have given up sooner and lost my patience, the surveyor continued, but in the end, the client met the goal for that visit."

A believer in The BAYADA Way, Leonard often goes above and beyond to support his team. When his office joined a local Christmas parade to educate the community about BAYADA rehabilitation services, Leonard spent many hours preparing. He even drove his own tractor in the parade, making the event a huge success in the community. Lucy says, "It is a privilege to have this Hero on our team."

Amber Lehman, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

LPN Amber Lehman has been expertly supporting BAYADA clients from the Williamsport, PA  Pediatrics office for almost six years. She has impressed Associate Director Kristen Beals, who says, "Amber walks into every home with an aura of confidence that sets the family and the client at ease. She works hard to educate herself and uses sound clinical judgment at all times. As a tracheostomy and ventilation nurse Amber can work with any age group and in any social situation," Kristen explains.

While spending several days with Amber in a classroom for children with multi-developmental disabilities Clinical Associate Donna Brown was able to observe Amber's work firsthand. She cared for a young child with a tracheostomy who required frequent suctioning, gastrostomy tube feedings, and medications. Donna was struck by how well "Amber skillfully cared for this child. She was always a mindful of her comfort and fragility, as she attended to all of her complex needs said Donna."

"Amber laughs with her clients and treats every child with the same care and tenderness she would show her own three beautiful children." Phylicia G., parent of a client, shares, "Amber is kind and gentle-hearted, and is wonderful with our daughter. She truly is a Hero, and we thank her from the bottom of our hearts."

"Amber is one of those extraordinary gifts given to the nursing profession," explains Clinical Manager Karen Shrimp, who feels honored to work with Amber. "She makes  nursing  the noble art it is meant to be."

 John Morris, Registered Nurse (RN)

Since joining BAYADA Home Health Care with the Charlotte, NC team in 2009, John Morris cares for a 30-year-old man with lifelong spinal muscular atrophy. His Clinical Manager Kelly Mincey shares, "The client has been completely dependent on other people to meet his every need, his entire life. I don't just mean activities of daily living. His basic needs of breathing and eating have to be managed by carefully trained health care professionals."

Cared for by hundreds of nurses in his life, John stood out as his Hero. John reads aloud to him (15 books in 3 ½ years), and they discusse science fiction movies or shows on the History Channel. His client says "I lead a stressful life, but John always fills the air with his calmness, which is extremely beneficial to my mental health. I wake up with a smile when John comes to work and I still have a smile when he leaves at the end of the day. This is priceless to me."

Recently, in preparation to meet with legislators to secure services considered to be life-saving, Kelly says, "The presentation required a lot of work behind the scenes above the hours and hours of time the client spent at his computer, John created a movie and photo presentation for his client. He did it to advocate for his client, who in John's eyes is a silent, unsung Hero!"

John's dedication has even lead him to stay overnight near his client's home, simply to ensure he'd get to work on time when icy roads were predicted. His client explains, "John is a completely different class of nurse."

Judy Morrison, Home Health Aide (HHA)

Judy Morrison has been going above and beyond for BAYADA with the Harrisburg, PA assistive care  office, since 2005. The impact her encouragement has had on many of her clients is remarkable—including prompting one client to join Weight Watchers and begin achieving his weight loss goals. However, it's her relationship with one long-term client in particular that speaks the loudest to her commitment and perseverance.

For the past seven years, Judy has been helping a young woman recover from an automobile accident which caused a stroke and left her in a coma. During her first few weeks home from the hospital, she could not understand why it was hard to do so many things that were never a problem before.

She had to relearn how to perform many activities of daily living, including eating, walking, and talking. Judy stepped in and provided the emotional support that this client needed to move forward. "With Judy's help, I stopped pitying myself," recalls the client.

Today, Judy's client volunteers in an assisted living community and helps the BAYADA office with administrative tasks. Division Director Carole McMahon says, "Judy made it possible for her client to go from a wheelchair to walking independently—gaining confidence and pride in herself." The client attributes much of her progress to Judy's care. After having lived through an unlucky set of circumstances, the client shares, "I can't even begin to explain how extremely lucky I am to have had Judy walk into my home."