Whether facing a natural disaster or the untimely illness of a loved one, members of our team frequently go above and beyond the call of duty to show their concern and support of a patient. Jordan calls these individuals … home care heroes. We are reminded each day, "Home care represents what we do; compassion and caring represent who we are."

This week’s Home Care Hero is Chandra Martin, home health aide, in Texarkana, Texas.  Since joining the company in June of 2004, Chandra has continued to go above and beyond for Jordan’s patients.  One particular instance stands out among many. 

One morning a quadriplegic patient needed to be ready to leave for a doctor’s appointment in Little Rock, Arkansas, very early.   Chandra didn’t hesitate to volunteer to make a home visit at 4:00 a.m. in order to give the patient a bath, help her dress, and be ready to ride the local transport bus by 5:45 a.m.  She had to leave her own home at 3:15 a.m. just to allow enough time to have the patient ready to leave for her appointment. 

Chandra works full-time in a local school cafeteria during the school year.  She is employed by Jordan on the weekends during this time and during the summer months, when school is out of session.  When needed, Chandra willingly makes home visits to see patients before beginning her “day job” at the cafeteria.

On behalf of the entire organization, Chandra, congratulations for being this week’s HOME CARE HERO! We are reminded once again, “Home Care is what we do; Compassion & Caring is who we are!”  

KATY AARON, RN, of the Center location, is Jordan’s Home Care Hero this week.  During the month of February, Katy was assigned an admission evaluation in the Nacogdoches area.  She arrived at the patient's home which was located in an open field. The patient lives alone, has very poor vision, and has little assistance from family and friends.  

During the in-home admitting assessment Katy discovered living conditions that were substandard, such as infestation of rodents, insects, and a home that was in need of repair. The patient was able to do little about the situation due to his financial constraints and physical condition. The patient voiced to her that he was content with where he lived and would not consider relocating from his modest country dwelling.

Katy made a few phone calls to inquire about assistance, then completed her admission and established a plan for Jordan to provide home health services. The next day she determined that she must see how and when he could receive help. She discovered that his home was on the list to be exterminated but currently the State of Texas had no current contract in the area and the state was unable to tell her when he would receive that assistance.

Katy was determined to resolve this herself. Within one day, on her own time, she found a contractor who was willing to exterminate the home of this patient and would accept the States’ reimbursement.  She went on to contact LOVE INC in Nacogdoches and was able to arrange for him to have furniture delivered to his home to replace what he had, that was beyond repair. Also, due to her efforts he is also now on the list to be considered for a new home by Habitat for Humanity.

Our hats are off to this very caring nurse. She is very deserving of bearing the title of HOME CARE HERO. Once again, we are reminded … “Home care is what we do, compassion & caring is who we are!”

This week Jordan’s Home Care Hero is Kathy Qualls, LVN, from the Mt. Vernon location. 

Recently, Kathy was visiting her patient’s when she herself began having chest pains and her blood pressure began to rise. While on her way to the emergency room, Kathy stopped by a patient’s home to administer a much needed injection.  After arriving at the hospital, two coronary stents were put into place.  Her physician said Kathy was a short time away from suffering a heart attack. We are so thankful that Kathy received medical treatment and is recovering.

Like many of our home care staff, Kathy put the needs of her patients above her own.  Thank you Kathy for being this week’s Home Care Hero! Thank you for reminding us…“Home care is what we do, compassion & caring is who we are!”

This week’s home care hero is, Martha Jones, Clerical Specialist II, for the Palestine & Teague locations. Martha is the “backbone” of these offices.  She spends countless hours ensuring that the patient’s in-home visits are scheduled properly.  Martha has a high concern for placing the nurses in demographic areas to produce the most cost effective day for the company, while also making each nurse's day productive.

She also assists in monitoring and scheduling visits for all disciplines according to Jordan’s productivity standards.  Martha’s personal goal is to help the staff in any way possible by making their days easier.  She is always willing to adjust the ever-changing schedule, as needed, without complaining.  Martha does her job with little recognition and praise of how important her role is for making the offices run smoothly. When she recently went on vacation for a week, EVERYONE realized just what a vital role Martha plays in this company. Palestine and Teague employees agree, “We couldn't make it without her.”  They requested to say a special “Thank you” to Martha for all of her hard work and dedication!

Martha has proven once again, “Home care is what we do; compassion and caring is who we are.”

In 1975 the creators of Jordan began Northeast Texas Health Services. The company was awarded a contract by the State of Texas to provide Family Care services to Medicaid recipients in five counties surrounding Mt. Vernon.  In the years following its inception, the company continued to grow one client and one employee at a time.

Fast forward to Jordan Health Services October 2009- From newborns, to baby boomers, to grey panthers … I wonder if the Jordan family could have envisioned their company would one day provide home care to nearly 13,000 individuals across the State. Or that a small, rural community in East Texas would employ over 12,000 individuals, making them one of the largest employers in the State.

Perhaps what would have mattered most to Joe & Jean, would be the fact that literally tens of thousands of individuals just like YOU have come to work each day over the past 34 years committed to caring for our most valuable asset… our clients.  Every person within Jordan is critical to serving others.  No one individual is more important than everyone working together as a whole.  Never discount the importance of your role each day in carrying out Jordan’s ‘Legacy of Caring’. Take a moment to join the entire Jordan organization on celebrating its 34th year in business and to reflect on those who came before us, those who are here today, and others who will come after we are gone.  Remember, “Home care is what we do; compassion and caring is who we are.” 

One Thursday morning in October, the Longview location received a phone call about Dianne, a home health aide. Her daughter notified the office that she was at Longview Regional Hospital following complaints of chest pain. Dianne felt ill the night before & that morning prior to work. However, being she did not tell anyone she was not feeling well and went right on about her day taking care of Jordan patients. While at her first patient's home the chest pain and shortness of breath returned. Dianne completed this visit and then drove herself to the local hospital for treatment.

Being a middle-aged female presenting with sub-sternal chest pain resulted in her admission to the telemetry unit. When the RN Branch Manager visited with her that evening after work, she found the aide lying in the bed with her Jordan uniform still on underneath her hospital gown! Dianne stated that she just wanted to get some medicine and get back to caring for her patients. According to her manager Dianne continually places the needs of her patients and the agency above her own. Her primary concern was whether or not her patients' needs were being met, even as she was in the hospital. Fortunately, her condition was not serious and she was able to return to work soon.
A special word of "thanks" to this week's HOME CARE HERO ... DIANNE!

This week’s Home Care Hero is Karen Gill, RN Case Manager, (Jefferson Medicare location). During a routine home visit, Karen arrived at the home of a 92 year-old patient. Upon arriving at the home, Karen found the patient's non-working vehicle out front with the trunk up and she could see the patient lying face up in the trunk.

It was really a hot Texas day outside and the patient would obviously be very warm. When Karen asked him what he was doing in the trunk he said that he was just trying to fix the car’s radio speaker. The patient got into the trunk and then could not get back out. Unfortunately, the gentleman lives alone so no one was available to call for help. He had been in the trunk for a couple hours prior to Karen's arrival. This patient was a mechanic his whole life and says he "could always fix anything". As with many patients as they age, they have great difficulty accepting the fact that can no longer drive a car or do all the things they once could. The patient continues to tell every nurse since Karen's visit that she saved his life when she said, "Well, let's get you out of that trunk…” and she did! If not for Karen, this patient may not have survived.

Congrats Karen. Once again we are reminded … “Home care is what we do; compassion and caring is who we are!”

This week, our Home Care Hero is Dona Weeks, Arlington Field Supervisor.  Dona has been with the organization for 15 years and has been a consistent source of support to Jordan clients and her co-workers, both in the field and in management.  She is often the “go to” individual.  Frequently, supervisors are asked to change territories to accommodate the needs of the location and new clients. 

In one particular area covered by Dona for a long time, one of her previous clients ask the current supervisor for Dona's phone number.  The client called Dona and told her how much she had meant to her and that if it were not for her, she would not be alive today.  The client recalled to Dona how at one time she became critically ill.  What was a routine, supervisory visit, ended up being not-so-routine.  Dona discovered the client was very sick and immediately called 911 to summon help.  This call from the client was timely and meaningful to Dona and the Arlington team!  It gave Dona an extra charge of energy, after the tears! Dona has always been a trainer and mentor to other employees.  Throughout the years and even recently Dona has reached out to a coworker and has personally helped them out of her own finances. 

If she sees a need, she acts on it if at all possible. Dona has a "model" check site in the Waco area. During the last paycheck site, Dona and the Teague Medicare team set up for check site with a Halloween theme with prizes, etc.  It was obvious that attendants were thrilled that this effort had been made!  Attendant's would come up to Dona and hug her. It is evident that Dona cares about all of the attendants regardless of their background.  At the end of check site one of the attendants came in and said their client (mother) was in the car.  Dona went straight out to the car to see the client.  When the client saw Dona walking toward the car, she literally jumped out of the car hugging her and dancing around.  While Jordan has many “heroes”, everyone who knows Dona would testify that Dona Weeks is a true Home Care Hero!  The years of sewing love and care into other people's lives comes back in rewards of all kinds.  Dona reminds us all, “Home care is what we do, compassion and caring is who we are!” 

Our Home Care Hero this week is, Sonia Perales, personal care attendant in the CCS Edinburg location.  Sonia has been with Jordan about two years and has been working with the same client since she joined the team. Sonia is a dedicated, loyal, caring, and compassionate person. Although her client has close family, she prefers Sonia because of the "caring touch of humanity" that she always has for her.

During supervisory home visits Sonia is always performing her tasks with a smile … not just any smile … the kind of smile that can only come from a true caring heart! She always says "God bless you" with so much meaning that you can "feel the blessing".

Sonia is a very humble individual who holds the personal goal of: providing the highest quality of care for her client. She frequently shares her personal challenge which was to "do something meaningful with her life". She says that since she took the job with her patient she has never felt so happy. Sonia believes she has personally fulfilled the little empty corner that would make her feel "complete". Sonia is the epitome of what we mean when we speak of "leaving a legacy of caring, compassion and a touch of humanity."

Once again, Sonia reminds us all … “Home care is what we do; compassion and caring is who we are!”

Please join me in congratulating Karla McNeil, CCS Pasadena Attendant, on being this week’s home care hero. 

When Karla joined the team last February, she was assigned a challenging client whose living arrangements were not optimal.  Initially, the client was reluctant to see how Jordan could benefit her, but due to the persistence of Karla, the client began to be more proactive about her health and well-being.  In no time at all, through Karla’s hard work, the client’s “house” turned into a home. 
 
During the patients recent 22 day hospital stay, Karla visited her every day to help her eat and when she didn’t like the hospital food, Karla came to the rescue.  Without hesitation she made sure the client received the care needed from the hospital staff.  Once the client was discharged from the hospital, Karla and her supervisor worked with DADS to get a much needed increase in hours and assisted the client in getting her the medicine she needed. The good deeds don’t stop here... Karla knew the client could not afford public transportation so she contacted a local Rides Program and was successful in getting the client free transportation, and  now the client does not hesitate to see her doctor. 
 
As of today, the client has been accepted to a complex that has central air and heat, a walk in shower, wheel chair accessible appliances and counter tops, and laundry facilities.  This would not have happened without Karla who picked up the application, assisted the client in completing the information and returned it to the management company.  The client has gone from a very unhappy person, to a woman that now enjoys getting up in the morning knowing she has not only an attendant from Jordan but a dear friend. 
 
Once again I’m reminded, “Home care is what we do, compassion and caring is who we are.” 

Natalia Hernandez, Laredo Attendant, is this week’s home care hero.  On April 1, 2008, she began working for two clients, a husband and wife.  Unfortunately, in September 2008 the husband passed away suddenly.  The wife who is physically handicapped, had a very difficult time with the passing of her husband, and there were few family members who could assist her.  Natalia stayed with the client to help in making arrangements for the wake and funeral. 

In the days that passed the client’s birthday was in April and she felt lonely. Natalia decided to throw a birthday party for the client. Natalia asked her mother & sisters to make the food and she gathered some of the client’s family members and a few friends to attend the party.  She even made arrangements for another handicap friend to attend the party. The client was so happy and extremely grateful to Natalia.

With employees like Natalia you can rest assured that her client’s are well cared for.  There are no limits as to what Natalia has done for her clients, co-workers, and the organization. 

Once again she reminds us, “Home care is what we do; compassion and caring is who we are.”

This week’s home care hero is Doris Manning. Doris works in the Teague Medicare office as a home health aide. For those patients who need assistance with their personal care, dressing, feeding, etc., the aide play such an important role in their care. In addition to this, patients quite often share their feelings with these individuals.

Several weeks ago during the snow storm, another Teague home health aide was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Fortunately, the individual did not suffer major injuries, but her car did not fare so well. The vehicle was ‘totaled’ due to the damage.

After hearing about the accident, Doris immediately called the Teague office, volunteering to see the other aide’s scheduled patients for the day. She knew these patients depended on these services and they would also be concerned about their aide. For the remainder of the week, Doris took over while the other aide was off. Not only did she help out with the extra patient load but she never complained, even when her schedule was doubled most days that week.

Doris went above and beyond her duties; to not only make sure that the patients were taken care of but to ensure that her co-worker was taken care of as well.

She reminds us all, “Home care is what we do, compassion and caring is who we are!”

For more information call Jordan at 1-800-64-NURSE (1-800-646-8773)

Please join me in congratulating Sharon Blair, Administrative Assistant – Dallas Medicare, on being this week’s home care hero. The front line caregivers deal with our clients face-to-face each day. Equally important are those individuals who work behind the scenes. These individuals may go unnoticed by some, but they provide so much value to the organization. Often times, they are the first line of contact with our clients and customers.

Sharon is a loyal, efficient, multi-talented asset to the Dallas office. She greets everyone with a smile and has the most positive, "can do" attitude which she consistently puts forward. She wears innumerable hats within the office. Every time a need presents itself, Sharon is the "go to individual" that never fails to pick up the slack. Sharon consistently does this for the patients that call into the office as well as for the field staff when they phone in with a question or request.

Sharon is always professional and a pleasure to encounter. As Melinda Sullivan, RN, put it, “Jordan has a treasure in her as a team member.” A special word of thanks and congratulations Sharon on being this week’s home care hero!!

Sharon, thank you for reminding us, “Home care is what we do, compassion and caring is who we are!”

For more information call Jordan at 1-800-64-NURSE (1-800-646-8773)

This week’s home care hero is, Patti Helander, CSI, from the Medicare Center location. She joined the Center office at a time when the location was facing many challenges. Employees were in the process of learning all the intricacies of their new software solution, Homecare Homebase and there were three key staff position openings.

Patti was on a mission to learn her new role with a positive, can-do attitude which she still carries with her some three years later! Since joining the Jordan Team, Patti has displayed grace under immense pressure and always with a smile. She anticipates the needs of the staff and often completes a task for them before they even knew they would need her assistance.

Jordan patients are quick to voice how pleasant Patti is when they call the office. Most go a step further to state she is always helpful. This helpful, gracious attitude carries itself over to anyone who comes in the office or calls the office and asks for her assistance. Whether it is someone not familiar with the area needing directions or someone on the phone trying to locate assistance with other information ... Patti is there to help!

Patti represents what we all should strive to be every day in this field. She is very conscientious of her duties and takes her role in the office seriously. She takes pride in a job well done and stays on task despite the many interruptions that come her way, ensuring she completes all of her duties timely, efficiently and accurately. She is a blessing not only to the Center office but to Jordan and the community. Patti truly reminds us all ... “Home care is what we do; compassion and caring is who we are!”

For more information call Jordan at 1-800-64-NURSE (1-800-646-8773)