2009 IHCA Awards

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The following honorees were announced at the Illinois Health Care Association’s 59th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Peoria. The IHCA thanks them for their outstanding work, sense of caring and ongoing commitment to optimizing resident quality of life.

Employee Awards

Activity Professional of the Year
Mary Ann Bauer
Alden Gardens of Waterford Assisted Living Community

Mary Ann Bauer never stops searching for ways to put a smile on residents’ faces, stimulate their minds and encourage them to be active. Her sense of humor is a delight to the residents, with activities such as a “hairiest legs” competition for male residents, and a pizza/charades party. She also organizes plays, fashion shows and musical entertainment.

Assisted Living Director of the Year
Bobbie Skurdna
Alden Courts of Waterford Memory Care Assisted Living Residence

Bobbie Skurdna is called organized, thorough, compassionate, and a true leader and professional by her co-workers. Skurdna was instrumental in organizing her facility’s Advisory Board, comprised of community members who develop partnership opportunities to give back to the community and residents of the facility. She also implemented programs such as the Interdisciplinary Resident Service Plans, the facility newsletter and recognition and staff appreciation awards.

Environmental Services Director of the Year
Ben Bautista
Alden-Lincoln Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center

Called a team player by his co-workers, Ben Bautista’s duties go beyond his job title. Last summer, when the residents wanted to paint the resident lounges, instead of hiring a painter, he met with the residents and let them choose color samples and be part of the decorating process. He spent four weekends of his days off painting the rooms to please the residents. He is praised for being a hard worker, passionate about his job and dedicated to the residents.

Housekeeping Professional of the Year
Rafaela Garcia
Alden-North Shore Rehabilitation and Health Care Center

Rafaela Garcia is praised for performing her duties in a proficient manner with a smile on her face. She is called compassionate, conscientious and caring by her co-workers. Whether it’s sewing a button on a blouse with her own sewing kit she carries with her, or changing water in a flower vase, she anticipates the needs of the residents and performs tasks before being asked to do so. Not only is she credited with keeping rooms clean and making them feel like home, she adds the extra touches like providing a cozy blanket or cold glass of water with a smile.

Resident Services Director (DD Services) of the Year
Mary Ellen Schweitzer
Alden Springs, Alden Trails, Alden of Old Town East and Alden of Old Town West

Mary Ellen Schweitzer is credited with embracing her leadership role as Resident Services Director with exuberance and professionalism, as well as exhibiting a positive attitude, having relentless patience and a strong work ethic, and having the knowledge and effectiveness to deal with difficult situations. Her heart of gold, attention to detail and scope of interaction with residents of Alden’s four Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) for adults with developmental disabilities set her apart. She also is co-chairperson for the Special Olympics committee and has been working to get residents and their families involved and excited about upcoming events.

Social Service Professional of the Year
Lynisha Lawson
Alden Village Health Facility for Children and Young Adults

Lynisha Lawson’s confidence in working with residents and staff, her ability to communicate details about each of Alden Village’s 100-plus residents, and her professionalism and understanding of her job make her a valuable asset. She eagerly embraces the task of mentoring and training new social service employees and is called a role model for other employees and the foundation of Alden Village’s case management team. Always willing to help out with any task, she seeks out opportunities for education and is motivated to grow in her long term care career.

Volunteer Awards

Teen Volunteer of the Year
Randy Mertes
Alden Gardens of Waterford Assisted Living Community

Eighteen-year-old Randy Mertes has volunteered at Alden Courts of Waterford Assisted Living Community for nearly three years. His involvement with a vocational program at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora for students with disabilities led him to the facility, which is now a big part of his life. His volunteering has given residents and staff as much joy as Randy has received.

Nursing Awards

Direct Support Person (DD Services) of the Year
Aretha Brown
Alden Trails Intermediate Care Facility

Even though Aretha Brown has only worked in the long term care profession five years, her compassion, sense of humor and dedication to residents’ needs have earned her the respect of her peers. As a volunteer coach for the facility’s Special Olympics team, she enjoys coaching residents to victory. She volunteers on her days off to take some residents on outings or to visit their families, and has even volunteered to take residents to White Sox and Chicago Bulls games.

MDS Coordinator of the Year
Anthony Valentino
Alden-Alma Nelson Manor Rehabilitation and Health Care Center

Anthony Valentino has impressed his co-workers with his eye for detail and compassion and concern for residents. His professionalism and willingness to work extra hours whenever needed – to comfort a distressed resident or help out by working a shift on the floor – make him a valued member of the nursing team. He is attuned to residents’ needs and is very much a resident advocate in all aspects of his job.

Nurse of the Year
Pat Jentzen
Alden-Orland Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center

After graduating from Loyola University College of Nursing 44 years ago, Pat Jentzen worked at many hospitals and nursing homes, but says she fell in love with geriatric nursing and rehab 20 years ago, when her father was sick and she observed the way the nurses cared for him with respect and compassion. Her co-workers now praise her for the same qualities that made her want to work in long term care: for being a great listener, a born leader, a hard worker and a compassionate and caring individual.

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