Annual Recognition Honors Those With Uplifting Attitudes
Goshen, N.Y. (Feb. 24, 2011) – Seven Elant, Inc. employees who are not only dedicated to their work but also lift the spirits of those around them were recognized at the annual Spirit of Elant award ceremony.
Elant, a not-for-profit network of senior healthcare and housing centers located in Orange, Dutchess and Westchester counties, recognized one employee from each of their seven facilities who encompasses the vision and values of the organization.
The Spirit of Elant award recognizes employees who are reliable and dependable, exhibit a “can do” attitude, demonstrate exceptional performance and carry and deliver the mission of Elant.
The seven were honored with a luncheon on Feb. 17, where they received a recognition letter, a reserved parking spot for one year, an extra day off and a special ID badge. A photo of each winner will also be displayed on a recognition plaque at each of their respective Elant facilities. Elant campus administrators expressed their recognition during the event.
“The Spirit of Elant is intended to recognize your hard work,” Elant President and CEO Todd A. Whitney said to the seven honorees. “But it is much more. We have many, many excellent employees at Elant. The Spirit of Elant is to recognize the way you do your job, the way you care for our residents, the way you assist family members, the way you treat other employees. In all these facets, you seven have been exemplary.”
The winners are:
Adela Atkins, Placement Services Resident Information Specialist and Certified Nursing Assistant, Elant, Inc. – Nomination letter from Christine Wise-Vazquez, Vice President of Placement Management and Marketing Development: “She is always willing to assist without being asked. As recent as today (the day the nomination letter was written), she noticed an adult home resident sitting outside without a coat. Adela quickly went to the resident’s room, grabbed their coat and brought it to the resident.
Gary Brown, Housekeeper, Elant at Wappingers Falls – Nomination letter from Colleen Gibbs, Associate Administrator: “His role here at the facility is in housekeeping, primarily floor care, but he does so much more…. He can be found in laundry starting a wash or bringing down the dirty linen from the units just to save the staff some time. He will bring the dietary carts down after trays have been picked up again just to save the girls some time. He is a big help in nursing, providing transportation for the residents to the dining room, or putting supplies away whenever needed.”
Wilma Kroemer, Rehabilitation Aide and Certified Nursing Assistant, Elant at Newburgh – Nomination letter from Debbie Mercurio, Director of Adult Day Health Care: “Wilma is always seen interacting with the residents whether it is in the physical therapy department, dining room or transferring residents…. She always has a big smile on her face. She shows compassion for all the residents and her co-workers.”
Evelyn Olmeda-Rivera, Administrative Assistant, Elant Community Health Services – Nomination letter from Debra DeJesus, Administrator, Elant Community Health Services: “She consistently goes above and beyond what is expected of her as evidenced by her unending kindness and the patience she shows to clients and their families every day. She has the ability to always be pleasant and give others the attention they need every day. Her special ability is the ability to relate to clients who are suffering with dementia.”
Susan Parisi, Front Desk Receptionist/Hostess, Independendent Living Unit, Glen Arden – Nomination letter from Maureen Torelli, Vice President and Executive Director of Glen Arden, Inc.: “Susan is always very welcoming and is an immense part of the warm first impression that we would always like our guests to experience at Glen Arden.”
Rosemarie Perillo, Activity Leader, Elant at Fishkill – Nomination letter from Patricia Roza, Director of Activities, Elant at Fishkill and Elant at Wappingers Falls: “She has been known to dress up as Christopher Columbus to present a program on his birthday, bring the Olympics to life by sharing photos, memorabilia and stories about attending several recent Olympics with her husband, John – and if that weren’t enough, she recreates the events by having residents do the snow slalom, ice hockey and curling by adapting these events to their ability.”
Dorothy Pinnock, Certified Nursing Assistant, Elant at Brandywine – Nomination letter from Cassa Haye, Director of Nursing, Elant at Brandywine: “Dorothy Pinnock or as I like to call her ‘Yes I can do that’ is always there when she is called to come in when she is needed. Her attitude is always positive, and by all means a team player at Brandywine.”
ABOUT ELANT: Elant, Inc., a community-based, not-for-profit organization, has been a part of the Hudson Valley healthcare landscape for the past 25 years. Its seven campuses, located across five counties, serve an estimated 3,500 people daily and provide sub-acute care and rehabilitation services, nursing home care, assisted living, adult day care, retirement community living, home health care, and a managed long-term care plan. Elant’s mission is to provide personalized, high-quality care and lifestyle options to persons of diverse generations, cultures, means, and needs.
Photo: Susan Parisi, Rosemarie Perillo, Gary Brown, Evelyn Olmeda-Rivera, Adela Atkins, Dorothy Pinnock and Wilma Kroemer won the 2011 Spirit of Elant award.
