|
ESAAL 2021 All-Star Staff Award Recipients Every community is filled with stars, but there are some that shine a little brighter than the others. Someone who rises above. Someone who saves the day. These heroes often accomplish the seemingly impossible or are always there when we need them the most. In honor of National Assisted Living Week, ESAAL recognizes the following 2021 All-Star Staff Award recipients. Click their name to jump to their story. Brittany Stage, Heritage at the Plains at Parish Homestead; Cathie Cafferata, The Bristal at East Northport; Chilitta Jackson, The Bristal at Massapequa; Debra Sakowski, Valley Residential Services; Devendra Ramnauth, Atria Glen Cove; Elnora "Nora" Nicholson, Sarah Jane Sanford Home; Erica Johnson, Wheatfield Commons; Faith Lewczyk, Eden Heights of West Seneca; Julianne Bertini, Atria Tanglewood; Kelly Woolsey, Artis Senior Living of Commack; Ken Zarrilli, Atria New City; Kyle Allan, The Bristal Assisted Living at Lake Grove; Moolsankar Lalbehari, Elm York Assisted Living; Nadine Cohall, Atria Plainview; Nadine Sinclaire, Long Beach Assisted Living; Phebe Hanaburgh- Leary, The Terraces at Brookmeade; Sara Gatewood, The Faatz-Crofut Home for the Elderly; Sue Stanton, Peregrine Senior Living at Cheektowaga; Susan Althoff, Christian Fellowship House’ Tammi Ming, Peregrine Senior Living of Colonie; Tatyana Chavez, The Club at Briarcliff Manor Brittany Stage, Receptionist and Dietary Assistant, Heritage at the Plains at Parish Homestead
Cathie Cafferata, Concierge, The Bristal at East Northport Cathie is the hub of the assisted living community. She spends much of her time talking to the residents and assisting them in any way she can. She has developed a special bond with most of the residents. Her supervisors note, “It’s amazing to watch and listen to her interacting with residents.” Chilitta Jackson, Medical Secretary, The Bristal at Massapequa Chilitta has been with the Bristal at Massapequa since shortly after the building opened in 2007. First starting as a care giver, she has been promoted several times over. She comes into work every day with a positive attitude ready to take on any task. Her name is the one that is spoken over and over again, day in and day out, "Chilitta's got it." Debra Sakowski, HHA, Valley Residential Services Debra came to Valley Residential Services in March of 2019 and brought with her years of experience working in a Skilled Nursing Facility as a
Devendra Ramnauth, Receptionist, Atria Glen Cove Devendra has been a vital member of the community and is sincere, dedicated, motivated, enthusiastic, and takes pride in his work. He is engaging with residents, family members and staff. Devendra is reliable and makes the residents his priority. He goes above and beyond to ensure quality customer service is provided, always looking for ways to contribute more to the community. Residents are always treated with respect and dignity.
Elnora "Nora" Nicholson, Activity Director, Sarah Jane Sanford Home Elnora is constantly looking for new ideas and adventures in and out of the community for the residents. She has introduced new games and events including a Hawaiian luau and organized trips such as outings to the Apple Barrel and the orchestra at SPAC. She is also med tech trained and has volunteered on numerous occasions in covering shifts to maintain the safety and wellbeing of the residents.
Erica Johnson, Med Tech / Resident Care Assistant, Wheatfield Commons Whether it is picking up an extra shift or training new staff, Erica never says no. She always has a smile on her face and a laugh in her heart. Even the most challenging residents cannot resist her infectious smile. She can lead her team when times are difficult, and she is able to get though the most trying times. She is a mom and a grandmother who loves her family and that includes the residents and staff at Wheatfield Commons.
Faith Lewczyk, Personal Care Supervisor/Med Tech, Eden Heights of West Seneca Faith always has a positive attitude at work and makes it a fun environment for the residents. She is dependable, a great motivator,and is generous to the community with her time.
Julianne Bertini, Engaged Life Director, Atria Tanglewood Julianne strives to be creative and compassionate. She actively listens to the residents, trying to integrate their suggestions into activity programming. During the lockdown, Julianne and her staff dressed routinely up in all kinds of costumes for the residents to enjoy and smile
Kelly Woolsey, Director of Marketing, Artis Senior Living of Commack Kelly serves an important role in the community, not only as the Director of Marketing but as an advocate and facilitator of transparency and communication between residents and their families with a whole person approach. She goes above and beyond to see through the journey of care and assistance even if it is not in our community. During the pandemic, she found ways to personalize each Zoom visit and outside visit. Everyone feels comfortable and at ease when she is assisting.
Ken Zarrilli, Chef, Atria New City While waiting for the new Atria New City to open, Ken consistently exceeded the expectations of the residents at Atria sister communities in Norwood, NJ, Lafayette Hills and Bethlehem, PA. Over the past couple of months, Ken has driven over two hours, including to Bethlehem and Lafayette Hills, PA many times, to assist the culinary team and to make sure the residents get the service they deserve.
Kyle Allan, Concierge, The Bristal Assisted Living at Lake Grove Kyle has been with The Bristal Assisted Living at Lake Grove for over six years and has been a model employee. He has perfect attendance and demonstrates professionalism in every manner. Kyle is the first face the residents see when they move in and is the first face they go to for help. Kyle's name is consistently mentioned on thank you cards and letters written by families. Fellow staff members adore him and view him as a leader with much wisdom.
Moolsankar Lalbehari, Houseman, Elm York Assisted Living When the pandemic hit, Moolsankar was one of the first to step up and say that we need to make sure the residents are being cared for. Every morning, the residents, staff, and administration knew that even with all the chaos, one thing would be constant, Sankar would be there. With no question to his status as a houseman, he was ready to roll up his sleeves, put on his PPE and do whatever was needed.
Nadine Cohall, Resident Medication Assistant, Atria Plainview Throughout the entire pandemic and until now, Nadine has shown up to work at 4:30 am every day to ensure that every resident receives their morning medication and she has personally checked every resident for signs and symptoms of COVID including taking their temperature. Most weeks Nadine is here six days and there have been many times that Nadine has worked the entire seven-day week. Her dedication to the community and the wellbeing of the residents is invaluable to the Plainview community.
Nadine Sinclaire, HHA supervisor, Long Beach Assisted Living Nadine treats each one of the residents like her own parents, putting the residents and facility first.
Phebe Hanaburgh- Leary, LPN Charge Nurse, The Terraces at Brookmeade Phebe is very compassionate and truly loves caring for the residents. She pours her heart into everything she does to ensure the residents are happy and well taken care of. She goes above and beyond what is expected of her and as a result, the families are so thrilled they know their loved one is here, in Phebe’s care.
Sara Gatewood, Nursing Supervisor, The Faatz-Crofut Home for the Elderly As a small facility that was hit with 15 cases of COVID, Sara worked endless hours to assist with the tragedy at hand. She is an incredible role model for her entire team of staff. She keeps them surrounded by light, in even the darkest of times.
Sue Stanton, Med Tech, Peregrine Senior Living at Cheektowaga Sue has been with Peregrine Senior Living at Cheektowaga since 2014 and has always gone above and beyond for all residents, staff and families. The community suffered such a loss during COVID and Sue remained dedicated to our residents, even while enduring her own personal challenges. Sue has worked many long hours to ensure our residents receive the care they deserve.
Susan Althoff, Personal Care/Medication Aide, Christian Fellowship House Susan has never stopped working, caring, and loving the residents all throughout the pandemic. She fills in for any position that’s needed and always works with everyone to make sure the residents are safe and healthy.
Tammi Ming, Resident Care Director, Peregrine Senior Living of Colonie Tammi truly embodies what it means to be a compassionate, caring, caregiver. Her dedication to her craft far exceeds that of anyone her supervisor has ever worked with or been around. Tammi will go the extra mile to make sure that residents’ needs are not just met, but exceeded, and often can be found doing many of the tasks that she asks from her team. She does all of this with a smile that instantly lights up a room and makes everyone feel safe and loved.
Tatyana Chavez, Asst. Director of Health and Wellness, The Club at Briarcliff Manor In the past year and a half since COVID hit, Tatyana has proven herself to be loyal, determined, hardworking and empathetic member of her team. Her steadfast leadership, focused determination and unending kindness makes her one of the most valuable team members. The residents, families and staff have come to depend on her across the board.
|
Brittany is a young mom who comes to work each day supporting at times, up to three different departments and still manages to always be available for the residents. She primarily works for our administrative department and our dietary department, but also has willingly jumped in whatever capacity she can help. 
certified nurse’s aide. She has excelled in the role of a Home Health Aide and always arrives at work with a smile on her face and a happy greeting for her peers and residents. Deb is always willing to jump in and assist her co-workers, without hesitation. She is reliable, hardworking, compassionate, and efficient.
Our Sponsors
