On Wednesday, June 18th, 2008, Western Illinois Home Health Care (WIHHC) and Western Illinois Managed Home Services (WIMHS) held their 27th Annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon and In-service at Knox College. Attending this luncheon and in-service were approximately 80 employees.

Activities included a luncheon buffet, service awards, and an in-service for the Revised Agency Handbook. A wide assortment of door prizes were also given away to employees.

Wil Azer and Melissa Engebretson, owners and physical therapists from Azer Rehab Systems, were recognized for their continued and outstanding commitment to Western Illinois Home Health Care. Azer Rehab Systems provide physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational theapy for the clients of WIHHC and WIMHS.

New to the luncheon this year were the years of service pins. WIHHC and WIMHS will begin awarding years of service pins to employees to recognize each year of employment and demonstrate gratitude for quality service.

WIHHC and WIMHS also recognized several employees as they reached a new milestone in their continued years of service. In recognition of her 10 years of service, Jen Podhajsky was honored with an inscribed pewter vase. In appreciation of their 5 years of service, the following employees were acknowledged with agency engraved pins: Kathy Bewley, Rosemary Gardner, Mary Higgins, Sharon Keith, and Brenda Suydam.

One final recognition was given to Brenda Young for being named as a 2008 Mary I. Hill Homecare Aide of the Year Honorable Mention by the Illinois Association of Community Care Program Homecare Providers (IACCPHP). Brenda Young was given a gift certificate from WIMHS in appreciation for her dedicated service to the Agency and its clients.

5 Years of Service
Kathy Bewley, Personal Assistant
Rosemary Gardner, Personal Assistant
Mary Higgins, Personal Assistant
Sharon Keith, Western Cleaning Pro
Brenda Suydam, Western's Service Advocate/Nurse

10 Years of Service
Jen Podhajsky, Assistant Administrator

Pictured left to right: Kathy Bewley, PA; Mary Higgins, PA; Jen Podhajsky, Assistant Administrator; Barbara Byers, President/CEO; Brenda Suydam, Western's Service Advocate/Nurse. Not pictured: Rosemary Gardner, PA; Sharon Keith, Western Cleaning Pro.

In appreciation of her outstanding ability and dedication to provide quality in-home service, we are pleased to announce that Brenda Young has been named as a 2008 Mary I. Hill Homecare Aide of the Year Honorable Mention. This award was given by the Illinois Association of Community Care Program Homecare Providers (IACCPHP) at their annual recognition luncheon on May 7th at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield, IL.

Brenda has been with Western Illinois Managed Home Services for 17 years and is a devoted worker to the elderly. One of her nominators, Director of Support Services, Alice Stenander, mentioned that Brenda "finds ways to meet her clients' needs with little resources and without seeking recognition and credit for what she has done." WIMHS President, Barbara Byers, also nominated Brenda because she "has a personality that is contagious and brings great joy and comfort to her clients. The clients feel relaxed and secure when she is there. Brenda is dedicated to her work and clients. In the seventeen years that she has worked here, we could not recall a day that she missed work. She is a humble employee that does not seek attention or require supervision. I am honored to have her in our agency to serve our mission."

Western Illinois Managed Home Services is a sister agency to Western Illinois Home Health Care and offers personalized and professional homecare services that assist with both medical and non-medical needs. For more information, call the office at 1-800-515-9647.

IACCPHP is a state association of homecare providers whose mission is to educate public and legislative entities on the value of homecare services for the elderly. For more information on the Association and its programs, contact Sue Bohenstengal, Executive Director, at (708) 488-8995.

Congratulations, Brenda, on a job well done!