WHCA/WICAL Proudly Recognizes the 2022 Shining Star Award Recipients & Nominees
2022 Shining Star Award Winners
Leadership Award
JoAnne Evans – Executive Director at Randolph Health Services Facility
JoAnne is a modern day Florence Nightingale. A registered nurse by trade, JoAnn uses her knowledge and expertise to transform her facility into a center of excellence. Through her natural leadership abilities and gentle, yet direct, approach she has achieved 5-Star ratings, deficiency free surveys and outstanding customer and employee satisfaction.
JoAnn lives and breathes resident centered care 24/7/365. She goes above and beyond to help residents with the issues great and small, to come to a resolution the resident/family is pleased with and grateful for.
It’s her mission to see that each and every one of her staff not only succeed, but excel in their roles. She engages them in problem solving through her Leadership Council and she has helped staff both professionally and personally. She is not judgmental but forgiving; open to new ideas, listens, and in challenging situations, makes you stop and think before you act. Without hesitation, she offers a shoulder to lean on, gentle words of encouragement and, at times, a kick in the butt to jump start them on the right track.
“JoAnn is considered the Rock of her center, the foundation for all that is great. She is a true leader, a big heart, a smiling friend, and an inspiration to all of us.”
Director of Nursing Award
Judy Story – Director of Nursing at The Bay at Oconto Health & Rehabilitation Center
Judy is a great leader who leads by example. If there is something that she expects from her staff, she ensures that she herself is doing it that way and then guides her team to understand why they need to change their process.
Judy is very dedicated to the staff and the Residents; she has come in multiple times to assist on the weekend if the staff asks her to. There is no task that she will turn away if help is needed. I have seen her assist with housekeeping, dietary, and laundry items. She works long hours without complaint and does so with a smile on her face.
When talking about Judy it is all about her overall attitude – positive, get the job done, and do it together. The residents absolutely adore her. Her personality creates a welcoming atmosphere. Always willing to learn, when she doesn’t know something, she asks questions and has a strong desire to learn new things.
“Judy is always looking for ways to streamline or improve processes to ensure that we are working at our best. Residents and family do not hesitate to reach out to Judy when they have concerns or questions, because they know that she will bring them resolutions and answers. She is a brilliant nurse who is always looking to further her education and knowledge base.”
Direct Caregiver Awards
Jessica Huston – Registered Nurse at Oak Ridge Care Center Facility
Jessica started here as a CNA and worked her way up to RN. Throughout all the positions she has held here, Jess has been dedicated and compassionate. She is always outstanding in her job performance and goes above and beyond to make the residents smile.
Jessica has proven herself to be a dedicated caregiver. She is extremely compassionate and works tirelessly to please her residents. She has displayed a mastery of all skills required to be a registered nurse. Jess is smart and knowledgeable. Her time management is outstanding. Jess has become a team leader and is committed to those she cares for. Jessica will always go out of her way to make a resident’s day.
“Her hard work and compassion for the elderly are outstanding. Jessica can work any unit and requires no supervision. She has never had any complaints or disciplinary action as she has always performed flawlessly. She is a great mentor to new staff. Her positive attitude and willingness to work are second to none.”
Sharon Griffin – Certified Nursing Assistant at Alden Estates of Jefferson
Sharon Griffin has worked at Alden Estates of Jefferson for 33 years. She became a CNA in 1978 and is without a doubt one of the most professional and dependable caregivers on The Alden team. She has a quiet demeanor with a big caring heart that makes her extraordinary in providing care to her residents.
Sharon has a way of creating a loving sisterhood at work. She is a very supportive person who will go out of her way to heal a wounded heart. The residents, families and staff know that they can count on Sharon and they respond to her in a reciprocally positive and constructive manner. She routinely exhibits the power of an introvert by competently going about the business of caregiving and problem solving. Sharon exudes peace and confidence in her work.
“Sharon is wonderful because she gives more than 100% to everyone. Once you get to know her, that is when you realize that her life is about this type of work. It is an honor to be cared for by her. She does things to the best of the patient’s abilities. She really goes the extra mile and is attuned to making the day great for each person. She makes me feel comfortable and safe. An honor to get to know her.”
Kelly Christman – Resident Assistant at Pine View Terrace
Kelly luminates heartfelt desire to be of service. She sincerely loves each and every resident – recognizes the spirit of each individual and celebrates their uniqueness with each caregiving moment. In addition to going over and beyond in assuring that our residents receive both quality care as well as a heartfelt smile and friendship, kelly sets a wondeful standard for her fellow team members.
Kelly cheerfully accepts open shifts in addition to her full time status in order to assure that our residents receive quality care and friendship while other staff experience vacation time or other forms of PTO. She is also only a phone call always away in terms of last minute shift needs as well as running in a trusted Manager on Duty capacity.
“Kelly has become our trusted shift scheduler, lead new employee trainer and mentor, as well as supporting and managing lead of our quality measures within medication management. Thanks to her continuous oversight and training of staff, we have brought medication errors to a zero tolerance level. Staff now takes pride in maintaining compliance as well as driving zero errors, thanks to the guidance and example of Kelly.
Support Staff Award
Sheena Harder – Medical Records at Parkview Home
Sheena began her journey at Park View Home in 1999 at the age of 17 working as a dietary aide. She then decided to become a certified nursing assistant where she worked in this capacity for many years. Sheena displayed so many positive qualities that Park View Home furthered her education to become a medication technician. Sheena did not stop there, she had her sights set on the medical records position. Sheena has been at this reign for many years but continued to recognize she could add value by becoming a certified coder which she obtained in 2020.
We have all been challenged over the last couple of years, and sheena has risen to the top! When staffing is a problem she will work wherever she is needed with no complaints. she recognizes that the residents come first! For over 23 years she has shown her dedication and commitment to long term care.
“Sheena is kind, compassionate, puts the residents first, is a team player, always willing to help. She communicates well to our families, is an exceptional co-worker and represents Park View as an employee at the highest level.”
2022 Shining Star Honorable Mentions
Below are all of the leaders, directors of nursing, caregivers, and support staff nominated for 2022 Shining Star Awards. Please helps us in congratulating all of the nominees!
Leadership
| NAME | FACILITY | ||
| Jean | Marsh | Algoma Medical Center | |
| JoAnn | Evans | Randolph Health Services | |
| Michael | Jones | Willowcrest | |
| Peggy | Rahkonen | Twin Ports Health Services | |
| Rhonda | Blodgett | Ellsworth Health Services | |
| Tricia | Penney | Sheboygan Progressive Health Services | |
Director of Nursing
| NAME | FACILITY | ||
| Allison | Townsend | Ellsworth Health Services | |
| Bambi | Sikora | Cornell Health Services | |
| Bridget | Brochu | Twin Ports Health Services | |
| Judy | Story | The Bay at Oconto Health and Rehabilitation Center | |
| Mary Kay | Hart | Willowcrest | |
| Mindy | Meehan | Wausau Health Services | |
| Sheri | Vance | Edenbrook of Wisconsin Rapids | |
Direct Caregiver
| NAME | FACILITY | ||
| Adrianne | Thompson | Oak Park Place Menasha | |
| Angela | Hughes | Bay of Muskego | |
| Cathy | Orth | The Bay at Water’s Edge Health and Rehabilitation Center | |
| Cathy | Bowe | Chippewa Manor Nursing Home | |
| Chris | CdeBaca | Alden Meadow Park | |
| Denise | Arthur | Hammond Health Services | |
| Destiny | Smith | The Bay at Sheridan Health and Rehabilitation Center | |
| Jayne | Temperly | Edenbrook of Platteville | |
| Jennifer | Vierck | Bay of Muskego | |
| Jenny | Minder | Ellsworth Health Services | |
| Jessica | Huston | Oak Ridge Care Center | |
| Kate | Gerou | Oak Ridge Care Center | |
| Kelly | Christman | Pine View Terrace | |
| Kendra | Pollin | The Bay at North Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center | |
| Lori | Vissers | The Heights at Evansville Manor | |
| Marjorie | Jerry | The Bay at Beloit Health and Rehabilitation Center | |
| Mary | Schmidt | Shawano Health Services | |
| Noah | Duchac | Willowcrest Health Services | |
| Pam | Zacharias | Friendly Village | |
| Sara | Aude | Oak Ridge Care Center | |
| Sara | Hayes | Ellsworth Health Services | |
| Sharon | Griffin | Alden Estates of Jefferson | |
| Shelley | Spensley | Edenbrook of Platteville | |
| Suzy | Lair | The Bay at St. Ann Health and Rehabilitation Center | |
| Tonya | Sheidler | Cornell Health Services | |
| Velvert | Cooks | Clairidge House | |
| Wesley | Lemieux | Maple Ridge Health Services | |
Support Staff
| NAME | FACILITY | ||
| Alyssa | Hill | Maple Ridge Health Services | |
| Amanda | Janczewski | The Bay at Nu-Roc Health and Rehabilitation Center | |
| Ann | Knight | Wisconsin Rapids Health Services | |
| Carrie | Puls | Edenbrook of Platteville | |
| David | Weikert | Oak Park Place of Menasha | |
| Donna | Schroeder | Alden Estates of Jefferson | |
| Kaleigh | Nolfo-O’Neil | Oak Park Place of Menasha | |
| Leann | Link | Randolph Health Services | |
| Lisa | Thompson | Cornell Health Services | |
| Michael | Flom | The Bay at Belmont Health and Rehabilitation Center | |
| Patti | Bessa | Friendly Village | |
| Rosa | Dominguez | Alden Meadow Park | |
| Roxanne | Wauters | The Bay at Suring Health and Rehabilitation Center | |
| Shannon | Davis | The Bay at Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center | |
| Sheena | Harder | Park View Home | |
| Vanessa | Nelson | Ellsworth Health Services | |
| Yolanda | Polanco | Oak Park Place of Menasha | |