Awards of Excellence

Cindy Allen, Trinity Village

The Compassion Award is given to a team member who genuinely cares about the residents/participants they serve as well as their fellow teammates.  They demonstrate love, empathy, kindness and the ability to share in the joys and sorrows of others.

2020 was a year for the books.  It was the year that a whirlwind named Cindy Allen started at Trinity Village as the Lifestyle Enrichment Manager.  It was also the year that Covid shifted everything we knew about how to do our work.  Cindy was a constant for both residents and staff during the past year.  

She’s an “out of the box” thinker, which became an incredible gift as needs (and our ability to meet them) shifted.  She found ways to keep residents engaged, even when they were quarantined in their apartments.  She draws from a huge well of creativity AND compassion in her interactions with all of us. Those who know Cindy will tell you of how attentive and caring she is to the residents, and how she has taken some of the most vulnerable ones under her wings.  They will tell you how willing she is to be interrupted, or thrown off schedule, if a residents needs a last-minute ride to an appointment or a listening ear.  They will tell you how she helped families “Facetime” when they couldn’t gather face-to-face in the long months of quarantine.

Cindy's team will also tell you how supportive she is. Whether the need is answering phones, staying late to make sure a colleague has a ride home or delivering “care packages” to members of her staff, Cindy goes far beyond the ordinary parameters of collegiality.

Pam Boyle, The Landing

Pam has been an Administrative Assistant at The Landing for 15 years. She is the first person people see when they enter our building and is the epitome of professionalism. Pam treats each of our residents with the utmost respect and often goes beyond the scope of responsibility to serve residents. Pam always takes action to resolve issues, but, as is Pam’s way, she doesn't say a word about how she goes the extra mile.

Throughout COVID, Pam’s responsibility became one of “policing.” Pam assisted all visitors and residents with signing into the kiosk and she also made sure that all were wearing masks. She took what could be a frustrating situation for others and smoothed the waters, assuring them of her primary responsibility to keep staff and residents safe. 

Outside of work, Pam serves as a foster mom for dogs in need of healing before being placed in their forever homes. She loves them and makes sure they get the care they need to be ready for adoption. Pam also delivers Meals on Wheels each month. 

Pam is a true asset to The Landing and it is an honor to have her as a part of our team!

Ruth Dropinski, Immanuel Pathways Omaha

Ruth Dropinski has been a PCA with Immanuel Pathways since 2018. During her employment at Immanuel, Ruth started as a PCA in the day center.  She has transitioned to helping participants in their home combined with center duties.  She is currently our go-to PCA in one of our memory support rooms. She works well as a part of a team, but can easily function as a leader when required. She has always exhibited great communication skills and gets along very well with staff and supervisors. She is highly respected by colleagues, participants and family members.

Participants’ faces light up when they see Ruth because they know that they are genuinely cared for. Ruth’s compassion for her participants comes out of a genuine concern for their care. Regularly, Ruth listens to participants’ concerns and needs. She works to address each of them. Holding a hand to offer consolation or giving a hug as requested are just a part of Ruth's day. Her impact is felt in the positive atmosphere of the activity center and seen in the good health and quality of life of her participants.

She is truly an advocate for the well-being of all participants. Ruth has a huge heart and a genuine ability to relate well to memory support participants. She provides cares and sees to it that the participant is safe, nourished and well cared for. Ruth does all of these things with a smile on her face. The Award of Excellence for Relationships represents our appreciation and will serve as an ongoing reminder of her achievements.

Marla Gernstein

Marla started at Immanuel Fontenelle in 2019, and she takes great pride in always doing the right thing in her job duties and interactions with others. She is guided by her faith, her morals, and keeping the CHRIST Promises at the center of all she does. Consistently, she will bring a matter up and discern the most appropriate course of action in line with these things.

Marla honors each resident, family member, and team member by celebrating who they are to us. She works earnestly to manage resident accounts, answer questions of family members, and care for her coworkers. She is seen as a safe person who can be trusted and she walks the talk of faith as an Immanuel employee.

Emily Arnold, The Lighthouse

Emily has been exemplifying the Christ Promise of Serve since 2011.  She is a valued team member at the Lighthouse. Emily has made a life-long commitment of helping others to a better life and her kindness and compassion shine through every day. She embraces an attitude of serving by giving of herself and contributing to the well-being of others. 

The residents each know Emily by name and enjoy her presence at breakfast and lunch daily. She has a servant heart and gives willingly without complaint.  Emily always provides service with a genuine smile.

Candice Brooks, Lakeside

Since Candice started with Immanuel she has always been a team player, but throughout this last year she has really knocked it out of the park.  Right before Covid hit, Candice was helping out with lifestyles & transportation, this included driving residents to and from appointments and driving the bus to outings as needed, including evening events.  She was doing all of this while keeping up with her wellness duties.  

Candice was a tremendous asset during COVID within her department and in the health care department. Candice right away got the nurse aide certification and started working the floor to help care staff and residents. Candice was a huge help in assisted living and picked up many shifts to help out the team in a time of need. In addition, she volunteered to do all of the N-95 mask decontamination for Pacific Springs.

In addition to all of these things that are an expected part of her job, Candice is involved with nearly every part of our life together on campus.  She also chaired the safety council for two years. She always showed up to help serve our monthly “Breakfast Bash” and often stayed late to help with happy hours on Fridays.  

The list can go on and on for Candice and to be real, if there was an event or help that was needed in any department, you more than likely will see her there helping with a smile on her face!  It brings me great pleasure to not only nominate her, but share in celebrating her with other staff and residents.