Congratulations to the recipients of our fall 2021 Everyday Heroes awards: Towana Gray, Jennifer Keenan, Ken Kretchum and Diane Wilmot.
These awards are given four times a year to employees who go “above and beyond” to serve our residents and children and who embody the Core Values of Vincentian’s mission. Each award recipient receives $250. All nominees are entered to win a special prize drawing at the end of the year.
If you would like to nominate an employee for an Everyday Heroes Award, complete this nomination form.
Towana Gray, Culinary Cook, Vincentian Schenley Gardens
The attention to detail, the compassionate care she extends to the residents and her pleasant demeanor are why Sandra Talley, the night turn admin receptionist, nominated Towana for an Everyday Hero award. “As residents arrive for breakfast, she greets each one by name and with a warm ‘Good morning.’” She takes pride in getting to know the residents, always talking and laughing with them. She goes the extra mile to make sure their meals are prepared as they like. She does the same for the residents who prefer to eat in their apartments – making sure the breakfast cart is well stocked and organized.
Jennifer Keenan, CNA, Vincentian Marian Manor
Jenn is thoughtful and takes the time to do “all of the extras” for our residents, explained Crystal Craig in her nomination. An example of this is the way she cares for one of her residents who likes to wear winter gloves all of the time. “Not only does Jenn make sure the resident has a clean pair to wear, but Jenn also bought her a bunch of gloves for Christmas.”
“She is a great CNA who goes above and beyond for all of our residents. She does all the little extra’s others might say they don’t have time for.”
Ken Kretchum, Life Enrichment Aide, Vincentian de Marillac
“It often goes unnoticed how much the activities department has had to adapt during the pandemic to do their jobs,” writes Hillary Butts, who nominated Ken.
“Ken is well-known as the guy who roams the halls strumming his guitar and singing to the residents. The pandemic hasn’t slowed him down. He adapted to keep spreading the joy. Through his mask and face shield, he sits outside the resident rooms and serenades those inside.
“He endured a personal tragedy this year with the passing of his wife, yet he continues to focus on our residents and their happiness.”
Diane Wilmot, CNA, Vincentian Home
“Words cannot say enough about Diane. She has been a Godsend to our family! She makes my mother feel loved. She embodies all of the core values of Vincentian’s mission,” wrote a family member whose mother is a resident. Diane is one of her care givers.
During COVID, when families were not able to visit, Diane realized the resident wasn’t able to call her children on her own, so Diane called them for her. When the resident had a setback in her health, “Diane worked with her on every occasion to strengthen and motivate her. And it’s working. I call it the Diane Factor.”