“Champion of Caring” program honors employees for the outstanding care they provide.

For 18 years, Trish has been an integral and essential member of the ManorCare —York North, Pennsylvania team. Over her career, she has excelled at teaching, training and guiding new nurse aides. More recently, her respectful, calm and composed demeanor has made her a proficient and skillful scheduler, one who is always willing to help employees on the floor instead of just sitting in her office. She is kind, flexible and willing to help with duties not her own and has been recognized by family members as a compassionate caregiver, all leading to her being named the Pennsylvania Health Care Association’s Caregiver of the Year for 2017.

“If I could clone Trish, it would be because of her teamwork. If I was able to take her attitude and her willingness to help, her flexibility and clone that to every employee, we would be the superb ManorCare.” – Vonda L., Director of Nursing at ManorCare Health Services – York North, Pennsylvania

In Ruben’s 14 years at ManorCare – Walnut Creek, he has been both an outstanding caregiver to patients and role model clinician to the entire ManorCare team. Patients, physicians and families count on him for up-to-date information and describe him as conscientious, efficient, courteous and cheerful. His remarkable consistency and commitment have been noted in surveys, and newer team members have remarked on his responsiveness and contributions as a mentor. He leads by example, putting his team members first and always recognizing his coworkers’ exceptional patient service.

"Ruben demonstrates day in and day out the qualities we strive for from all our employees in being helpful, caring and responsive to the needs of our patients and residents." – David Parker, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at HCR ManorCare

With a smile on her face and in her voice, Maria has been ManorCare – Venice’s first and best impression for all those who enter the center for over 10 years. From the delivery guy to referral sources, she makes people entering feel as if they are part of a family. Coworkers describe her as vivacious, dependable, energetic and compassionate. Family members note that she has a special talent for relating to people and making you smile, even on the hardest of days. Maria memorizes every patient, family member, staff member and community partner, showing attentiveness well beyond her receptionist duties. Her warm greetings have led to an enviable number of positive Care Line calls.

"Maria treats every visitor that walks through the front doors like they are someone special. Whether it’s a family member, a vendor or an employee, she wants to know how their day is going, what they are there for and what we can do to help them. She makes everyone feel important.” – Tammy W., Administrator at ManorCare Health Services – Venice, Florida

Celeste is not only a CNA Team Lead at Heartland Hospice Services of Virginia Beach, but is also a former cancer patient. After she received exceptional care throughout the course of her cancer treatment, she decided to apply that experience and utilize it in her teaching and care practices. She acts as an instructor and mentor to all CNAs at Heartland Hospice Services of Virginia Beach. Celeste is motivated to make a difference because she was in a patient’s position at one point. She knows exactly what her patients need by spending quality time with them, and she inspires all the CNAs on her team to do the same. Celeste says that compassion and empathy “have to be in your heart to be a good hospice CNA.”

“Celeste stands out because she works so, so hard and she coaches all the time. When she finds as much passion in what she does, it shows. Our patients love her. The facilities love her. There’s a lot that makes her stand out.” – Jason M., Regional Director of Operations at Heartland Hospice Services of Virginia Beach

Sonia has been a Housekeeping Aide at ManorCare – Elk Grove Village, IL for the past 21 years. She makes a point of learning patients’ names, and they know hers. She takes pride in her work and approaches everything with a detail-oriented mindset. She uses her strong work ethic to inspire the staff she trains, which has led to an outstanding housekeeping team with excellent customer service scores. Her Human Resources Director always uses her as the role model for quality care at new hire orientations. She possesses a caring, positive attitude and goes out of her way to make sure patients are safe.

“Sonia’s the type of employee that you can only dream about. She’s always working to focus on the patients and residents and nurturing their human spirit.” – Tam W., Administrator at ManorCare – Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Lorna Downer, CNA, was voted our first “Champion of Caring” winner. Lorna has worked at ManorCare Health Services – New Providence, NJ for 34 years and has exemplified caring and responsive commitment in providing quality care to our patients and residents.

“The quality I’d like to clone from Lorna into other employees is her ability to always have a positive energy. She comes to work happy every day, and I think that smile goes a long way.” – Sabrina L., RN Nurse Manager

After many hard years of caring and supporting siblings as a surrogate mother in Jamaica, Lorna found her health care calling soon after arriving in the United States and trained to become a CNA. For the past 34 years, co-workers have recognized her dependability, energy, and compassion, and patients and families have commended her positive attitude, ever-present smile, and the sense of security and comfort she provides them. She embodies everything HCR ManorCare stands for in terms of caring. She’s served as a stellar role model for aspiring quality caregivers beginning their health care career, and for veteran caregivers too.