SUNRISE, Fla. (January 14, 2020)—Interim HealthCare Inc., a franchise network of owners providing homecare, senior care, hospice and health care staffing services, announced Minda Papson, occupational therapist, as the 2019 Therapist of the Year. Papson has been with Interim HealthCare of Lafayette, Colorado for six years.
This honor is given to an individual who embodies Interim HealthCare’s core values of integrity, compassion and customer focus. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, physical therapy assistants and certified occupational therapy assistants were all eligible to receive the award.
“Minda’s interactions with patients, caregivers and colleagues exude the highest level of professionalism,” said Patrick Naylor, MSPT, MBA-HA, and Papson’s clinical manager. “The respect she has for both her patients and teammates, as well as her optimistic attitude, permeates through everything she does.”
As their advocate, Papson consistently goes above and beyond for patients to ensure they get the best care. In addition to working a full-time patient schedule, Papson participates in fall prevention events at community centers where she provides balance screenings and tips for seniors at risk for falling.
“I’m honored to be named as the 2019 Therapist of the Year,” said Minda. “I’m grateful that my profession allows me to impact so many lives in this community. For me, being an occupational therapist is more than a job, it’s a calling. It’s an environment where I can do what I love—giving back to my community and ensuring that our vulnerable population is well cared for.
Interim also announced Angela Young, CNA, as the 2019 Paraprofessional of the Year. Angela joined Interim HealthCare of Greenville, South Carolina in 2001.
This honor is given to an individual that provides exemplary patient care and continuously demonstrates the H.E.A.R.T. qualities of Interim HealthCare paraprofessionals, which stands for Honorable, Experience, Ability, Reliability and Training.
Serving as a lead aide, Young is responsible for providing an exceptional hospice care experience for patients and their family members. Beyond caring for patients, Young constantly brings new ideas to her team such as identifying opportunities to improve documentation processes and developing improved protocols for scheduling communication between aides and patients’ families.
“Angela is an exemplary paraprofessional earning her the nickname ‘angel of hospice aides.’ Angela understands that great care should not only focus on managing medical symptoms but should also be rooted in compassion and enrich every aspect of an individual’s wellbeing,” said Judy Cronin, RN, Clinical Care Manager at Interim HealthCare of Greenville, South Carolina. “Angela continuously goes above and beyond to demonstrate excellence and integrity in her care. Angela truly has a servant’s heart.”
Young understands that the true work of hospice will always be as much about honoring people with compassionate listening as it is about managing health conditions. Her willingness to do both is what keeps Young motivated to continue this challenging work.
“It’s an honor to be a recipient of the Paraprofessional of the Year award, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve others while also continuing my professional development at Interim HealthCare,” said Young. “To me, being a paraprofessional means making a difference in the lives of patients and their families every day.”
Visit interimhealthcare.com for more information.
