Every month we like to honor those individuals on our team who contribute a little extra, even beyond the normal exceptional service all our Caregivers provide.
Be sure to return frequently to see who is every month's new Caregiver of the Month!
We are pleased to announce Sharon Aase as our September 2023 Caregiver of the Month! Sharon has been part of the Hiawatha family since 2006–and we’re grateful for the many years we’ve had her in our corner.
“Sharon truly gives her all to help our clients live their best lives,” says Nona Pummer, Director of Nursing. “She is caring, kind, and clearly went into the profession for the right reasons. She loves what she does–and it shows in her work!”
Homecare creates space for meaningful connections between nurses, their clients, and their families. These bonds extend beyond administering medical support–when Sharon’s client passed away recently, she went above and beyond to assist his family in their time of need.
For Sharon, working with clients is one of the best parts of her job. She also enjoys knowing Hiawatha has her back. “I’ve been with the company a long time,” she says, “and I appreciate their flexibility and willingness to work with me if I have any questions or concerns.”
Sharon, we appreciate YOU! Thanks for being a shining example of #HomecareFromTheHeart. We’re lucky to have you on our team. Congrats!
We are pleased to announce Anne Parsons as our August 2023 Caregiver of the Month!
Anne is the first member of our team to receive CGoM for a second time, after her long-term client reached out with a glowing nomination.
“Anne has been an integral part of my life and well-being for many years,” says her client. “She cares with compassion and never takes shortcuts or forgets. She holds me to task on my exercises and keeps track of my (many) appointments to make sure I’m always prepared.”
From training new caretakers, to keeping up with doctors’ appointments, and even making sure her client’s van stays in safe and working order, Anne shows up every single day with complete dedication to her role.
“Working for Hiawatha Homecare is just what the doctor ordered,” says Anne. “Caring for my extended hours client has been a privilege. There’s never a dull moment – and it’s given me a sense of true fulfillment in my nursing career.”
Anne, we’d like to take a moment to thank you (again!) for bringing your compassionate heart to our homecare team. We appreciate you, and your client and his wife do, too. Congratulations!
We are pleased to announce Lori Scanlan-Hanson as our July Caregiver of the Month!
Lori has been part of the Hiawatha family for over 16 years, caring for the same patient the whole time. It’s no wonder his mom says she’s like family to them, too!
“Lori is very reliable, and always goes above and beyond,” says Mom. “She plays a big role in allowing us to keep my son at home.”
Working long-term with a single individual helps Lori provide the best care possible. She says getting to know her patient, and how he expresses his needs, has helped build trust between the two of them.
For Lori, homecare has been a unique and rewarding part of her nursing career. “Supporting a family where there is a person with special needs has brought blessings to me,” she says.
Lori, your dedication to your client and his family is a blessing in itself. Thanks for all you do to give #homecarefromtheheart – we appreciate you!
We are pleased to announce Holly Kolander as our June Caregiver of the Month!
Holly is a special nurse who knows how to make every day an adventure. Not only does she make sure her client is well cared for, she makes sure his life is as fulfilling (and fun!) as possible.
“Holly is one of the most caring and compassionate people I know,” says her client's mom. “She extends this compassion and care into her nursing duties, but she also goes beyond that by doing many fun activities.”
At home, Holly and her client read, watch cartoons, make fun crafts, and listen to music together. She even helps out with his homework! When it’s nice out, they love getting outside and going on walks and fun adventures in the community.
One of Holly’s strengths is building genuine bonds with her clients. To her, they’re not just patients, they’re normal kids. “She talks to my son as she would any 8-year-old, and doesn’t treat him like a baby,” says her client’s mom. “Holly really is one of a kind!”
As for Holly, homecare nursing is more than a career. It’s her calling. “Hiawatha allows me to work in a job I really enjoy and feel like I was meant to do,” she says. “I love working with special kids. I love helping them live a good, quality life – and helping them and their families live as much as they can.”
Thanks Holly, for all you do to give #HomecareFromTheHeart. We’re grateful to have you in our corner – and your clients are, too!
We are pleased to announce Adam Holden as our May Caregiver of the Month!
Adam is a compassionate night nurse who goes above and beyond for his client. His client’s son says Adam always shows up early, has a wonderful attitude, and has built a meaningful relationship with his dad.
“Adam is a calm, confident nurse who never seems to get ruffled. He and Dad have a truly special bond – they talk fishing, hockey, and outdoor everything!”
Adam’s client’s family says he is a great asset to their care team. With Adam on the night shift, they can sleep peacefully knowing their dad is in good hands.
“Dad trusts Adam with his life and is able to rest easily knowing Adam will respond immediately if his alarms sound at night. We are truly lucky to have such a wonderful night nurse!”
For Adam, it’s easy to give great care when you’re part of a team that makes you feel appreciated. With a wonderful family, client, and coworkers “work feels less like work – and more like going to visit a friend!”
Thanks Adam, for all you do to give #HomecareFromTheHeart. We’re grateful to have you in our corner – and your client is, too!
We are pleased to announce Jan Traurig as our April Caregiver of the Month!
After retiring from her nursing career, Jan still wanted caretaking to be a part of her life. As a Hiawatha nurse, Jan gets the flexibility she needs to enjoy retirement – without putting her passion for nursing on the back burner.
In her own words: “It really is the best of both worlds!”
“Jan is such a blessing to our family,” says her client’s mother. “Not only is she an amazing RN, she’s kindness itself. She has a heart for nursing, and her many years of experience are invaluable.”
“Jan brings happiness into our child’s life every day they spend together. We’re so grateful God has brought her into our lives!”
Thanks Jan, for all you do to give Homecare from the Heart. We’re grateful you chose to make Hiawatha part of your next chapter – and your clients are, too!
We are pleased to announce Hali Arrowood as our March Caregiver of the Month!
Hali is a dedicated nurse who always goes the extra mile, especially in recent months. Recently, her co-worker was called abroad unexpectedly for family reasons. Hali was happy to cover their open shifts, so they could focus on their personal life. She’s also picked up extra hours so her client’s wife can travel out of state – knowing her husband is in good hands.
Hali is always willing to step up when she is needed, making life a little easier for her clients, her co-workers, and the whole Hiawatha family.
Thanks for everything you do to give #HomecareFromTheHeart, Hali – we appreciate you!
We are pleased to announce Brittany Salguero as our February Caregiver of the Month!
Brittany is a wonderful nurse who cares for not one, but two members of the Hiawatha family! Brittany’s clients love how efficient and reliable she is. From implementing daily therapies to keeping things organized – they can always count on her to go the extra mile!
Brittany is hardworking and dependable, but she also brings that “special something” to home care. Her clients say she’s warm, compassionate, caring, and simply a blessing to have around.
“I truly have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people I care about,” says Brittany. “I love going above and beyond for my clients, and giving them best care I can give!”
Thanks for all you do to give #HomecareFromTheHeart, Brittany. Your clients appreciate it, and so do we!
We are pleased to announce Brittany McMahon as our January Caregiver of the Month!
Brittany is a talented nurse who cares for one of the youngest members of the Hiawatha family. Her client’s mom says Brittany goes above and beyond to make their lives easier. She has a great work ethic, helps them stay organized, and takes the lead on daily therapies.
“Brittany has been a blessing to our family, we’re so happy she helps us with our daughter. She’s a wonderful nurse!”
Brittany recently transitioned from acute care to home care – and she loves the change of pace! She enjoys being able to slow down and focus all of her attention on one person and their needs.
“It has been so rewarding to watch [my client] client grow, learn, and thrive at home with her family after a long stay in the NICU. I feel lucky I get to be a small part of her journey.”
Thanks for all you do to give home care from the heart, Brittany. Your client and her family appreciate it – and so do we!
We are pleased to announce Emily Moe as our December Caregiver of the Month!
Emily is a wonderful nurse who goes above and beyond to ensure her client always has the best day possible.
Her client’s mother says Emily is a knowledgeable and compassionate caregiver. While her son is unable to verbally communicate, Emily reads him well and is good at figuring out his needs. She’s always talking to him so he knows he’s understood.
Emily makes sure her client gets his daily physical therapy and keeps him well-groomed. If she’s ever unsure about something, she takes the initiative to learn and find answers – her top priority is understanding how to give the best care possible.
Emily’s client's family also appreciates her dependability. She’s always on time, never misses a shift, and is willing to work extra hours when they need an extra hand.
“Hiawatha, my clients, and their families have made my career in nursing enjoyable and fulfilling. I'm very grateful for everyone in the lives of the clients I have cared for and continue to care for.” – Emily Moe
Thanks for all you do to give home care from the heart, Emily. Your client and his family appreciate it – and so do we!
We’re pleased to announce Alicia Winter as our November Caregiver of the Month! A true team player, Alicia has gone above and beyond in recent months to help out a pregnant coworker.
Alicia makes sure her client is up before her coworker arrives in the morning, so she doesn’t have to wake the family for lifting assistance. She also made sure her coworker was comfortable with showers - which can be physically intensive - and offered to do it earlier if needed.
Alicia even plans ahead and pulls out things her client may need throughout the day, so her coworker doesn’t need to bend in awkward positions or lift heavy items. Alicia’s coworker says all this thoughtfulness has made working while pregnant much less stressful and worrisome.
Thanks for all you do to give homecare from the heart, Alicia. Your coworker, your client, and their (growing) families appreciate it – and so do we!
Anne is a loving caregiver who works hard to provide a high standard of care – while keeping things playful and fun!
According to her client’s mom, Anne is highly-attentive, flexible with her son’s needs, and “reads” his non-verbal communication well. He was immediately drawn to her, and clearly takes comfort in her presence.
Anne is an excellent team player. Anne's client’s family, group home, and day program caregivers can always count on her for education and support. Mom says Anne sets a great example for how to care for her son in ways that help him maintain the best health possible.
Speaking of health, Anne’s client recently achieved an exciting new milestone. As of last month, it’s been two full years since he’s had an inpatient hospital admission – a lifetime record!
“We’re so grateful that Anne and the team at Hiawatha HomeCare have helped my son do so well, even under the conditions of the pandemic. Thanks to all!”
- Anne’s Client’s Mom
Anne engages her client in daily enriching activities that help him live his best life. Recently, she even went the extra mile to arrange a safe (and fun!) adventure outside the home.
Anne attended the MN State Fair with her husband a few days before going with her client’s family. While they were there, she made time to scope out some attractions her client would particularly enjoy. She also swung by the first aid area to make sure they could access it quickly if needed.
The result? Anne’s client enjoyed an awesome outing that was just right for him.
Thanks for going above and beyond to give homecare from the heart, Anne. Your client and his family appreciate it – and so do we!
We are pleased to announce Melissa Buffington as our September Caregiver of the Month!
Mel's client's mother says Melissa goes above and beyond for her son. She treats him with love and kindness – but isn't afraid to scold him when he acts out. Mel initiates crafts and other projects with her client and isn't afraid to pack up all of his equipment to go on fun outings with his mom. (This summer, they went strawberry picking and to the pool!)
It's easy to get along with Mel. She maintains good working relationships with her Hiawatha co-workers and other nurses doctors, and therapists. Mel lets Mom lead at doctor's appointments – but she's not afraid to ask something Mom may not have thought of.
We asked Mel why she likes working at Hiawatha HomeCare. She says she enjoys the fun, compassionate, and family-oriented atmosphere – and having a job where her skills and experience are appreciated and utilized. She likes the work-life balance, too!
Mel also enjoys adventuring outside the home. She loves having fun experiences and adventures that the client and their family will cherish and appreciate.
Congratulations, Melissa! Thanks for everything you do to give home care from the heart. Your client and his family appreciate it – and so do we!
August 2022: Jayne Darling
Jayne Darling is our Caregiver of the Month for August!
We asked the family of Jayne's client for some words they would use to describe her. Both parents said that Jayne is caring and committed. Mom added that Jayne works hard and is very organized, while dad added that she is quick-witted and compassionate.
We asked Jayne why she likes working for Hiawatha. She said, "I like that Hiawatha really tries to work with the employee to give them a schedule that works for them. I like my client and family. I like brainstorming with family to improve my client's quality of care. Any questions I have ever had for the office were promptly responded to."
Congratulations Jayne! Thank you for your hard work and dedication! We appreciate you!
July 2022: Sharon Mathews
We would like to congratulate Sharon Mathews on winning the caregiver of the month award for July 2022. Sharon has always been very dedicated to her job since the day she started with our Hiawatha HomeCare. I asked Sharon what she loves about working for Hiawatha and she said "I have very little stress because of quick response from the office staff and the support makes working enjoyable and not a burden at all." She truly embodies the mission and vision of Hiawatha HomeCare. Thank you Sharon for your dedication to Hiawatha.
June 2022: Amy Egyhazi
We are happy to announce Amy Egyhazi as our caregiver of the month for June 2022. Amy's dedication and compassion to her client give her the ability to provide the best care possible, which makes her one of our best caregivers. She always puts her client's needs first and is a wonderful representation of what a Hiawatha HomeCare caregiver should be. We appreciate your consistency and communication to commitment to Hiawatha HomeCare and to your client. Congratulations, and thank you for all that you do!
May 2022: Jou Xiong
Jou Xiong is our caregiver of the month for May. Since Jou started working with our team, she has made a huge impact on the lives of her clients. She is always willing to go anywhere, anytime, to help her clients when they need her. Every client she has worked with so far has commented on what an excellent caregiver she is and how they are blessed to have her. We at Hiawatha HomeCare would like to thank Jou for all the hard work she has put forth during her employment with us. It does not go unnoticed. Thank you, Jou!!
April 2022: Rachel Finley
We are proud to announce that Rachel Finley is the recipient of the Caregiver of the Month Award for April. Rachel has a very calm and sweet personality that all clients adore. We are constantly impressed by the care she provides and her ability to go above and beyond. She is not only a star nurse but truly shows what it means to be a team player and put people first. Rachel has truly shown her dedication and passion as a caregiver. She is flexible, reliable, and dependable with a go-getter attitude – no matter the task. We are extremely grateful to have her on the team. We are so proud of Rachel and thank you for everything that you do for us!
March 2022: Cathy Calderon
We are so excited to introduce Cathy Calderon as our March of 2022 Caregiver of the Month. She has been an exceptional employee and caregiver for her client. Her compassion and devotion to caring for our client make us wish we could duplicate her a hundred times over! Her down-to-earth personality is exactly what we look for when hiring our nurses. Cathy treats her client like they are family! We are so lucky to have you Cathy, congratulations!
February 2022: Jennifer Lohman
Congrats to Jennifer Lohman for being caregiver of the month! She is actually an ASL interpreter for one of our clients. She has been with Hiawatha HomeCare for almost 15 years. Hiawatha appreciates all of her loyalty and dedication to her client. I asked Jennifer what some of her favorite things are working for Hiawatha HomeCare and this is what she had to say "I really like working one on one with my client. I love giving my client access to new experiences: new foods, new games, new art projects, new vocabulary, and especially new signs. It’s very rewarding to be with my client on an almost daily basis, you become like family and feel so appreciated. It’s more like an honor or a privilege to be my client's life. I know my client has learned a lot from me but my client has also taught me. I used to say “You only live once!” But I’ve come to find that is not true. You live every day. And every day I get to be a part of that!" Thanks, Jennifer, we appreciate you more than you know!
January 2022: Olufunke Poopola
Olufunke Poopola (Funke) is our January 2022 caregiver of the month. Funke goes above and beyond to help her clients have a better quality of life. She is always willing to work with any client that may need help and she treats them as though they were her family, not just another client. Funke has always been willing to fill in shifts for other caregivers if they are sick or on vacation and never complains about having to do so. We would like to thank Funke for all her hard work since she has joined our team. Thanks again, Funke!!
December 2021: Guenet Bora
We are so excited to introduce Guenet Bora as our December 2021 Caregiver of the Month. She has been an exceptional employee and nurse for her client. Her compassion and devotion to caring for her client make us wish we could duplicate her a hundred times over! She has been with Hiawatha Homecare for almost 14 years and with the same client for more than 14 years. Her down-to-earth personality is exactly what we look for when hiring our nurses. Guenet treats her client and her coworkers like they are family and we feel the same way about her! We are so lucky to have you Guenet, congratulations!
November 2021: Jill Loch
We at Hiawatha HomeCare would like to congratulate Jill Loch for her integrity, honesty, and hard work that she has put in while working with us. It doesn’t go unnoticed. Jill is very compassionate, and she is an exceptional caregiver who always goes above and beyond to provide excellent caregiving services to each client that she works with.
Jill is many things, but most importantly she is sweet, kind, and respectful to everyone around her. She is enthusiastic about her job and a very caring, dependable, and compassionate caregiver. Jill has a caring heart and truly loves being able to help our client in their home. Thank you so much Jill for all that you do for our client! We are all so happy you became part of our team 2 years ago!
October 2021: Lynn Kemmetmueller
Congratulations to Lynn for the caregiver of the month for October! Lynn is a loyal employee and dedicated to her clients. She is a skilled nurse and excellent in every aspect. She has picked up many shifts and always arrives at her clients with a smile. She is punctual, reliable, and efficient with a wonderful personality and a heart of gold. She catches on fast and has wonderful intuition on what needs to be done. No one ever needs to ask her to do something twice. In all, Lynn is a highly professional and more than capable nurse and is a cherished employee of Hiawatha HomeCare. All of her clients and their families seem to love her and consider her a first-rate nurse.
Thanks to Lynn, who helps to make Hiawatha Homecare an outstanding Homecare Agency.
September 2021:
We would like to CONGRATULATE Jenny Zupancic for being our September Caregiver of the Month!
We at Hiawatha HomeCare would like to congratulate Jenny Zupancic for her integrity, honesty, and hard work that she has put in while working with us. It doesn’t go unnoticed. Jenny is very compassionate, and she is an exceptional nurse who always goes above and beyond to provide excellent caregiving services to each client that she works with. When I asked Jenny what her favorite things about Hiawatha are she said this “I love my job at Hiawatha Home Care. For the 27 years, I’ve been an RN, Hiawatha is the one employer that I’ve been with the longest because I enjoy the job and the diversity of clients I’ve had the privilege to work with. I feel that I work better in an independent situation but am grateful for the support of the office staff and nurse managers.” Thank you so much Jenny for all that you do for our clients! We are all so happy you are a part of our team!
August 2021:
Congratulations to our August Caregiver of the Month, Allie Gwyn! Allie is an amazing caregiver and a great representative of Hiawatha HomeCare. She has worked for Hiawatha HomeCare for years and she has made a huge impact on her client. Some of the words that described Allie were that she never misses any steps, goes above and beyond, and that she is a very special nurse.
Allie is a dependable and patient caregiver who always provides the best care for her client. Allie is a gem in this industry! We hope this recognition motivates others like herself to strive for greatness and to care so compassionately for the generations before her and that it gives her the honorary recognition she deserves. Thank you, Allie!
July 2021:
Congratulations to Lee Maher, Hiawatha HomeCare’s Caregiver of the Month for July 2021! Our clients adore his kind and friendly personality. We are constantly impressed by the care he provides and his ability to go above and beyond to put people first. For example, Lee recently referred a friend to Hiawatha, so his client would have more care. We receive countless stories from his clients and their families, praising the quality of care provided by Lee.
Lee never hesitates to help out and has truly shown his dedication and passion as a nurse at Hiawatha HomeCare. He continues to do a stellar job with a go-getter attitude – no matter the task. Thank you, Lee, for all that you do for Hiawatha HomeCare and your clients!
June 2021:
Congratulations to Hiawatha HomeCare caregiver of the month for June 2021, Heather Green!
Heather has a very calm and sweet personality that her client adores. She is not only a star nurse but truly shows what it means to be a team player and put people first. Our client is always over the moon and impressed by the care she provides. We receive countless stories from her case manager and her client praising her quality of care. When we asked her what was her favorite thing about working at Hiawatha, she said "I enjoy working at Hiawatha because the clients and families have been wonderful to work with. The office staff is helpful and responds quickly to questions and concerns."
Heather has truly shown her dedication and passion as a caregiver at Hiawatha HomeCare. She is flexible, reliable, and dependable — and we are extremely grateful to have her on the team. We are so proud of Heather and couldn’t be more thrilled to honor her!
May 2021:
We are proud to announce that Illysa Albright is the recipient of the Caregiver of the Month Award for May 2021!
Illysa is a sweet, caring, and easy-going person who is incredibly patient and loving with the client she serves. She takes a lot of pride in the in-home care services she provides and has great respect for this work to ensure the client's needs are met while in the comfort of their home. She is reliable and always there to lend a helping hand whenever it’s needed. Hiawatha HomeCare is grateful that Illysa is a part of our family.
When we told Illysa she won caregiver of the month, this is what she had to say. Her answer truly reflects the amazing attitude she brings to work every day:
“It was an absolute joy to care for the client! He is an incredible little kiddo who has an amazing and loving family! I could not have asked for a more perfect family to work for!!! I truly felt welcome and part of the family from day one! I look forward to continuing care for them in the future! I appreciate everything Hiawatha has done for me including being flexible with scheduling and my status! Upon completion of my RN, I would absolutely love to return to full-time status and continue providing care to our clients!”
Thank you, Illysa, for your hard work and dedication. Everyone at Hiawatha HomeCare thanks you!
April 2021:
This month, we are excited to announce that Anne Parsons is Caregiver of the Month at Hiawatha HomeCare.
Anne is an experienced caregiver who joined the Hiawatha HomeCare team in May of 2017. She has been an exemplary employee, offering her time in any way needed. Anne‘s caregiving style is marked by compassion, kindness, and consistency – traits that foster genuine, long-term relationships with the client she serves explaining why she has been with her client for many years! She is always available for fill-in shifts, great at giving weekly updates, and has excellent documentation! Anne has traveled across the state to provide exceptional care for her client. She creates a comfort zone where her client can flourish and have a purpose in life. We are privileged to have Anne as an employee and thank her for her continued dedication to Hiawatha and her client. Congrats Anne!
March 2021:
Congratulations to Hiawatha Homecare's caregiver of the month for March 2021, Tina Do! Tina truly has a passion for serving and supporting the needs of her client, and she genuinely brings a positive attitude to everything she does. Tina is great at communicating and documenting when providing care to her clients and takes initiative by anticipating care needs. Tina has excellent time management skills when it comes to the patient and also documentation. Tina has a great rapport with her current client with an authentic dynamic that captures not only her skill set but also a smile that validates the client and creates a sense of security. Thank you, Tina, for all that you do for Hiawatha HomeCare and your clients!
February 2021:
We would like to congratulate Lisa Frederick for being our February Caregiver of the Month! We nominated Lisa as Caregiver of the month because Lisa has a wealth of skills and knowledge and has compassion and dedication to her clients and our company as well. She has worked with several of our clients in unique situations and has gone in to cover last-minute shifts. Lisa is always willing to go the extra mile for anyone she encounters. She is always willing to work where ever and whenever she is needed. She has been a great asset to us during the time she has been a part of our team. Thank you again for all you do Lisa!
January 2021:
Congratulations to Hiawatha HomeCare caregiver of the month for January 2021, Ayo! Ayo is truly a diamond in the rough. She has been an active HCA caregiver since March 2012 and has worked with several clients for many years. Ayo is easy to work with and is always ready to help the team or any client in need. Several clients and their loved ones have called and attested to Ayo as a highly experienced, knowledgeable, caring, reliable, and helpful caregiver. They also expressed that she is someone who overall has a great heart. Ayo has proven her dedication year after year and we look forward to having her on our roster for many years to come! We are truly honored that she is a part of our winning team! Thank you, Ayo, for all that you do for Hiawatha HomeCare and your clients!