Care with Excellence: Whatever It Takes Winners Sept. 2024

Life Care Centers of America's Whatever it Takes Champions program honors associates who go beyond their job descriptions in caring for our patients, residents, and their families. Here are four of our recent winners and their inspiring stories. These associates are certainly Champions of Care!

Christine Berlly, Receptionist at Life Care Center of Hendersonville

When Hurricane Helene hit, Christine sprang into action and helped in several departments. In the dietary department, she worked the tray line and carted meals to residents. In housekeeping, she helped with trash removal throughout the facility. And in medical records, she provided necessary assistance to ensure resident files were more quickly accessible in case of disaster-related emergency.

Mark Laughlin, Activity Director at Life Care Center of Greeneville

Mark takes extraordinary steps to care for and support our patients and residents. Listen to how Mark’s incredible generosity impacted a mother and daughter, both short-term therapy patients:

“I am nominating Mark Laughlin for this award because he has assisted me and my mother during both my stay here and after I’d gone home. He got his church and others to help renovate my home and helped me get paperwork together to help get Mother’s stay taken care of here. He truly makes life easier for everyone he comes into contact with. He has been a godsend for us this year.”

Tasheena Laliberte, LPN at Life Care Center of Auburn

A nurse can do their job and do it well, but it takes a special kind of nurse to inspire a resident to write a passionate note praising their service and care.

Here is what one of our residents had to say about Tasheena:

“She is AWESOME! Lots of fun. Always smiling. Makes you feel excited about her next visit to your room to give you meds or do vitals, or even to just talk to help you feel better. I personally love her. A lot of others do also.”

Zoe Sumkis, STNA at Life Care Center of Medina

While picking up her paystub, Zoe noticed a woman signing out from her visit with her husband, a resident at the facility. The resident’s wife was clearly tired and out of breath as she struggled to carry all her bags to her car. Without hesitation or fanfare, Zoe grabbed some of the bags and helped the woman carry them to her car. Though the gesture was brief and simple, Zoe performed it with the right balance of empathy, compassion, and respect.