Direct Care Staff Awards

• Gayla Adams
• Mona Washington

The Direct Care Staff Award recognizes direct care staff members who demonstrate outstanding person-centered skills, effective communication techniques, dedication, creativity and teamwork attitude. This individual serves as a model for others who choose this profession. Nominees may include nurses, program assistants, bathing assistants, and drivers.

Gayla Adams, Nurse
YMCA Bettye J. McCormick Adult Day Services
Vincennes, IN

Gayla Adams, at the age of 55, decided that she wanted to become a nurse. While working at the Senior Center as an Activities Coordinator, she went back to college to get her degree. No matter what endeavor Gayla undertakes, she puts 150% into it. All at the same time, Gayla received unmatched remarks of praise for her work as an Activities Coordinator, while receiving grades of nothing less than A's in her schoolwork. To compound her heavy load, her husband of many years relied on her heavily. He was unable to work due to his disability and unable to read or write as well. His health was steadily declining, but nothing would detour Gayla from reaching her goal. She attended classes in the evening, while working at the Center during the day, and in addition, her daughter Kate was diagnosed with MS.
     
Gayla still trudged on, received her degree of LPN, and has since taken over the position of nurse of our Adult Day Services. Our clients have never received better nursing care.  Being diabetic herself, Gayla shows compassion for our diabetic clients but doesn't allow them the extra cookie that they ask for, either. She attends every doctor's visit with them, and oversees medication distribution with meticulous precision. Our clients love Gayla and come to her with the slightest of problems, because they know she cares. She has a great rapport with doctors and nurses alike. She is able to evaluate the needs of our clients and manage the care that they need while they are in our day care facility. Nothing is too big or too small for Gayla to tackle. On any given day, you will see her helping give baths, assisting clients with toileting where needed, and even cooking the special meal for the whole center of 65 people or more. She might sound like a superwoman, and to us she is a super nurse indeed.

Last year Gayla decided to pursue an RN degree, so on she toiled. The evening classes began again. Having never attending a biology class in her school career, she was thrown into microbiology. She worried that her perfect A record might be tarnished, so she worked extra hard. With every hurdle crossed she would come to work and report with such pride that she indeed received an A. It seemed like we were right there with her! Sadly, during this time, her husband's health grew worse. Days and nights Gayla went without sleep. Charlie eventually entered the Hospice program. Gayla slept on the floor next to his bed just to make sure she was there when he needed her. But God knew it was time for Charlie to come home. At the end of June, Charlie passed on. One week later Gayla had her daughter Kate in the ER with complications from her MS disease. With the symptoms of MS in check, they battled for two days straight at the hospital. That following week Gayla, with her determination in tow, went back to school, continuing toward her RN degree. In the spring of 2010, Gayla will complete her schooling and receive her degree. She will without a doubt be successful. She will not accept anything less.

Gayla's goal is to become the RN at the Bettye J. McCormick Adult Day Center. She has already proven to be the best LPN that the Center has ever had. Without a doubt she will be the best RN the Center will have as well.

—Written by Esther Adams

Mona Washington, Restorative Aide
Cascade Park Active Day Healthcare Center
Tacoma, WA

Mona has worked at Cascade Park Active Day Adult Day Healthcare Center for four years. She is always on time for work and has an excellent attendance record. Mona is attentive to all people we serve at Adult Day Healthcare, no matter what disabilities they may have. She is an excellent Restorative Aide. She demonstrates a high level of competency in skills required to effectively work with clients 1:1 to help them reach their individual Occupational Therapy goals. With great enthusiasm, Mona facilitates both fine motor and gross motor Occupational Therapy groups to strengthen clients, build their endurance and improve their balance.

Mona is kind and gentle with all the clients at the Adult Day Healthcare. Her compassion to help others is shown through her acute awareness and understanding of others' needs, and her commitment to meet those needs no matter what they may be. She is always first to offer her assistance to clients when she becomes aware of a problem. The clients have nothing but kind things to say about Mona. 

Mona is a team player. She sets high standards of productivity for herself and provides a good example for her co-workers. She volunteers immediately when she sees help is warranted. She displays creativity and original thinking and presents suggestions for improving the work area and the multidisciplinary team. She promotes cooperation when working with the team and she takes an active role in resolving conflicts before they get out of hand. She is good at identifying problems quickly, addressing them and developing several alternative solutions.

Mona displays an upbeat, positive outlook and pleasant manner under even the most trying circumstances. She spreads joy, laughter, and happiness to all she works for and with. Mona Washington is highly valued and a great asset to our Cascade Park Active Day Adult Day Healthcare program. 

—Written by Fred Wahlgren