VNA & Blue Water Hospice leadership honors staff and volunteers quarterly through the Shining Star program, recognizing the extras they do for each other, their patients, and the community.

Let’s get to know Nikki!

How long have you been with VNA & BWH?

I started at the agency in June 2021.

What do you do at VNA & BWH?

I schedule nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and aides for patients. I also answer patient’s questions, communicate with physician offices, complete orders, gather supplies for clinical staff – whatever is needed, I try to help.

What do you like best about working at VNA & BWH?

I honestly didn’t know much about the agency, but a friend recommended I apply for this position, saying I’d be a good fit. Now that I’m here, I find it rewarding when a patient is scheduled for care and everything to help them is in place…and I know I had a part in that. I often receive feedback from patients or families about their great care – what a great comment to get!

Also, I like the staff I work alongside. They are very caring and overall, a great team.

Why did you choose this type of work?

A while ago, I was working in a factory and unfortunately was laid off. I saw this as an opportunity to change things up. Knowing I wanted to help people I found Ross Medical and the medical assistant program. My externship solidified my decision… I loved caring for the residents. I did this type of work for seven years before moving to a small nursing home, then eventually found VNA. I fully enjoy my role at VNA.

Maurene recognized Nikki as a Shining Star!

“Nikki does a great job as our Home Health Coordinator! She will do anything asked of her without resistance or complaints. She doesn’t hesitate to change the schedule and get in touch with the nursing staff and patients as needed. She has a calming voice and a comforting smile. If there are issues, she needs assistance with, she will come to me with a smile, or a laugh, instead of getting upset and angry. This is an amazing quality! Nikki is organized and efficient, she will keep our white boards up to date as needed. I can always look and see exactly what is going on today, tomorrow, and the weekend. She has been assigned new tasks recently and has many different things going on at once and is doing a great job. She is a wonderful person to have on my team!”

If you would like to thank a staff member, volunteer, or physician at VNA & Blue Water Hospice, go to https://bwhch.org/thankyou/.