West Region
Tony McLean, RN, Case Manager
Surprise, AZ
"Tony is well-liked and respected by all for his attention to detail, clinical expertise and willingness to always be there and support the team."
Tony has always put his patients first. But he isn't just an excellent RN case manager; he also supports the community and feels a need to help others. It was this caring spirit that moved Tony to adopt a child of a patient who was struggling to care for her children. He will get up in the middle of the night to help a patient take a bath or travel 150 miles to assist a care center that needs someone to fill in. In addition, Tony has been a nursing student preceptor for the past seven years as well as the care center's preceptor for new employees. Tony is an individual who strives for perfection and has an ongoing thirst for higher education, evident by his return to school to get his bachelor of science in nursing, with the ultimate goal of becoming a certified wound ostomy nurse.
Midwest Region
Krista Orr, Occupational Therapist
Greeneville, TN
"Krista exceeds all expectations regarding compassion, patient-centered care, work ethic and community integration."
Her co-worker states she could write a book on the little things Krista has done for her patients that make such a profound difference in their lives. When a patient couldn't afford a sock aid and leg lifter, Krista made one out of folders, string, and a PVC pipe. Another patient couldn't get her laundry from point A to point B, so Krista helped her set up a pulley system. She has redesigned intimate apparel with zippers for patients who do not have the fine motor skills to perform the hooks. Krista created "Seed the Need," a faith-based organization that works with social services and Amedisys to provide home repairs, ramps, remodels and other assistance to patients in need. Recently, she was able to provide a 120 foot ramp for a patient who was unable to get from her home to her driveway.
Northeast Region
Teressa Garrison, Director of Operations
Williamsport, PA
"She has a vision for our care center to be known for excellent service and care."
Sometimes doctors are wrong. Teressa Garrison learned that lesson first-hand when caring for a patient who was told his toe would have to be amputated. Teressa didn't believe amputation was necessary and tirelessly worked with the wound clinic and the care center's medical director to try a different course of action. The patient's toe was saved and Teressa was thrilled to have helped him maintain such an important point of balance. For many months, Teressa acted as the care center's DOO and RN - her dedication to Amedisys and her patients is unparalleled.
Southeast Region
Angela Masterson, Physical Therapist
Florence, AL
"Selfless, compassionate and kind - those are the words that best describe Angela Masterson."
Throughout Angela's career, her coworkers and patients have always said wonderful things about her care and commitment. But she truly went above and beyond after the tornado that ripped through Alabama last spring. Never missing a day of work during the aftermath, Angela helped organize the whole team to provide clothes, supplies and time to those in the community in need. Even though she had a generator, Angela lived without power for 10 days so that one of her patients on oxygen could use it.
Angela volunteers for multiple charities in the community and church as well as enthusiastically attends any Amedisys event. As one co-worker stated, "This woman is so deserving of this award because she earns it every day!"