Each year we celebrate our employees during Awards week. The agency honors several staff and volunteers with the Bess MacCulloch, Dr. Elmore Shoudy, Kindness, and Volunteer of the Year awards.

2024 Bess MacCulloch Award – Jeanette B.

Bess MacCulloch Award is given to a member of either the Health Services, Home Health, or Private Duty Home Care divisions for the actions of providing a special type of care they give to patients or families dealing with an acute or chronic illness.

“Jeanette had dedicated herself to this agency for the last 17 years. Over the course of her years, she has mainly worked in hospice care. Jeanette transitioned to Private Duty Home Care where she could broaden her horizons and continue to offer her gentle nursing approach to the senior population and offer each patient a comforting presence to help those seniors remain in their own home and independent. She has always gone above and beyond in the care she had provided, but she is able to really build long lasting relationships and get to know her clients more on a personal level to ensure she is able to help them meet all of their goals for independence, personal care, and medical care they receive. Jeanette’s clients truly trust her and enjoy her visits. Jeanette is a pillar in this agency and with her knowledge and expertise she has impacted many lives during her 17 years and continues to do so every day.”

2024 Dr. Elmore Shoudy Award – Amanda K.

Dr. Elmore Shoudy Award is an honor given to a member of the Hospice team for the actions of providing a special type of care they give the patients and families dealing with terminal illness.

“She has worked hard for this agency since she started. Her kindness & compassion can be seen through her beautiful smile & gentle eyes. She has a way of connecting to patients & their loved ones that makes people more comfortable. She eases their pain & worries before doing anything. Her knowledge & willingness to learn more makes her an exceptional resource for our patients. She gives 100% whether they are a straight-forward or a more challenging case. She never stops until every idea has been considered. She never hesitates to reach out for more ideas.”

2024 Kindness Award – Vicki T.

The Kindness Award is an honor given to any member of the agency for their dedication to other team members, upholding the agency’s charter/mission by exhibiting patterns of kindness through friendliness, generosity, consideration, and above all, integrity.

“She has shown kindness from the first day of employment. She takes the time to truly get to know her co-workers, patients, & the family members. She addresses people with a smile & kind words each time (sometimes silly, but always kind). She can be hours away & off for the weekend, but if her services are needed, they are provided. Kindness is not the only notable quality, respect for others is also obvious. We are so lucky to have her on our team. She is appreciated beyond words.”

2024 Volunteer of the Year – Nancy D.

Given to an active volunteer who has gone above and beyond to not only patients but the staff and agency. Congratulations, Nancy Doehring.

“Nancy has been with VNA & BWH since 1988. She is a good listener to both staff and patients/families. Before volunteering with us, she cared for her sick brother as well as assisting an elderly couple that lived next to her. These experiences enforced her need to give back to her community and she found us! Over the years she’s held many positions – clerical, emotional support, running the snack cart, and now is a greeter. Over the last 36 years, Nancy has provided more support than she knows. We appreciate your dedication to not only our patients, but their families, and not to mention… the staff!”