FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2009

HCCI Recognizes “Heroes in Long Term Care”

During May, as part of National Nursing Home Week, the Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) recognized the “heroes” of our facilities – those dedicated and caring staff members and residents who have made meaningful contributions to the lives of their facilities. This year, more than 120 individuals were honored for their commitment, selflessness and caring.

HCCI extends its congratulations to the 2009 Heroes in Long Term Care. Here is the list of this year’s honorees divided into categories:

Activities

Phyllis Gilmore, Bryn Mawr Care, Chicago

Linda Kieffer, Crystal Pines Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Crystal Lake

Bobbie Light, Douglas Rehabilitation and Care Center, Mattoon

Rita Madrigal, Palos Hills Extended Care, Palos Hills

Suzie Offill, Gilman Healthcare, Gilman

Cheryl Zimmerman, Mason City Area Nursing Home, Mason City

Administrators

Dr. Michael Gottesman, Alden Estates of Skokie, Skokie

Colleen Rodney, Alden Estates of Evanston, Evanston

Admissions

Gina Calalay, Alden Estates of Evanston, Evanston

Joel Crabtree, Hillcrest Nursing Center, Round Lake Beach

Pearl Hill, Sheridan Shores Care and Rehabilitation Center, Chicago

Jennifer Schierer, Westmont Nursing and Rehabilitation, Westmont

Business/Office Management

Jessica Aponte, Alden Courts of Waterford, Aurora

Denise Christenson, Fair Oaks Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, South Beloit

Mary Hrycko, Alden Poplar Creek, Hoffman Estates

Lora Fish, Flanagan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Flanagan

Shameka Tate, Alden Trails, Bloomingdale

Certified Nursing Assistants/Nursing and Restorative Aides/CNA Team Leaders

Andrew Andrada, Alden Estates of Evanston, Evanston

Susan Bainer, Alden Poplar Creek, Hoffman Estates

Lynn Cox, White Hall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, White Hall

Steven Cohen, Crestwood Care Centre, Crestwood

Reeda Daily, Flanagan Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Flanagan

Lourdes DeGuzman, Abbington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Roselle

Rosita Drapiza, Alden Estates of Evanston, Evanston

Elizabeth Fletcher Duran, Ballard Healthcare, Des Plaines

April Graham, Alden of Old Town West, Bloomingdale

Martha Hernandez, Alden Town Manor, Cicero

Phyllis Higginbotham, Casey Health Care Center, Casey

Hannah Inusah, Alden Estates of Evanston, Evanston

Bessie Jones, Hickory Nursing Pavilion, Hickory Hills

Jennifer Kakooza, Alden Terrace of McHenry, McHenry

Debbie Knott, Barton W. Stone, Jacksonville

Paula Kraft, Stephenson Nursing Center, Freeport

Mandy Pershing, Riverview Healthcare, East Peoria

Sarah Poellnitz, Concord Extended Care, Oak Lawn

Natasha Reardon, Fairview Care Center of Joliet, Joliet

Maria Reino, Alden Courts of Des Plaines, Des Plaines

Linda Rissman, Sandwich Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Sandwich

Maria Rodriguez, Alden Poplar Creek, Hoffman Estates

Jose Sandoval, International Nursing and Rehabilitation, Chicago

Cora Smith, Meadowbrook Manor, Bolingbrook

Carolyn Soling, Plaza Nursing and Rehab, Midlothian

Alfonso Valencia, Alden Springs, Bloomingdale

Rhonda Williams, Alden Village North, Chicago

Glenda Winters, Countryside Care Centre, Aurora

Mary Zolicoffer, Snow Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Lisle

Community Relations

Sloane Milewski, Aledo Rehabilitation and Healthcare, Aledo

Dietary/Food Services

Edward Arguelles, Alden Courts of Waterford, Aurora

Sarah Brinkmeyer, Northwoods Care Centre, Belvidere

Miroslawa Dziekonski, Alden North Shore, Skokie

Juetta Henderson, Alden of Old Town East, Bloomingdale

Pam Jackson, Evergreen Nursing Center, Effingham

Maria Kakates, Alden Estates of Evanston, Evanston

Martha Moore, Alden Alma Nelson, Rockford

Kerrian Witter, Alden Estates of Evanston, Evanston

Director of Nursing/Nursing Administration/Management

Richelle Hofilena, Alden Estates of Evanston, Evanston

Jerlene Jamison, Bella Vista Care Center, Peoria Heights

Jody Kinkin, Flanagan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Flanagan

Jewell Prater, Oakview Heights Continued Care and Rehabilitation, Mount Carmel

Rose Suplemento, Alden Estates of Skokie, Skokie

Joan Vitacco, Lemont Nursing and Rehabilitation, Lemont

Health Information Coordinators

Sharon Brazil, Prairie Manor, Chicago Heights

Helga Wostl, Children’s Habilitation Center, Harvey

Laundry/Maintenance/Housekeeping/Environmental Services

Frank Amarillo, Alden Des Plaines, Des Plaines

Jose Bello, Alden Estates of Evanston, Evanston

Robert Brown, Mid-America Care Center, Chicago

Geno Forneris, Collinsville Rehabilitation and Health Care, Collinsville

Christopher Frantazier, Briar Place, Indian Head Park

Jaime Guzman, Alden Village, Bloomingdale

Thelma Webster Johnson, Alden Princeton, Chicago

Lucinda Jones, Alden Princeton, Chicago

Tiffany Mason, Douglas Rehabilitation and Care Center, Mattoon

Herman McDaniels, Heather Healthcare, Harvey

Reginald McFray, Alden Princeton, Chicago

Janina Nowak, Elmwood Care, Elmwood Park

Lucy Wiszowata, Lakeview Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, Chicago

Medical Directors

Dr. Luis DeVenecia, Richland Memorial Hospital-Long Term Care, Olney

Nurses

Becky Hackett, Fairview Care Center of Joliet, Joliet

Darla Hess, Twin Lakes Rehabilitation and Healthcare, Paris

Victoria Howell, Alden Courts of Waterford, Aurora

Patricia Jentzen, Alden of Orland Park, Orland Park

Evangeline Lardizabal, Brightview Care Center, Chicago

Vanessa Louchios, Alden Courts of Waterford, Aurora

Reynaldo Magsino, Alden Estates of Evanston, Evanston

Glenda Montinola, Alden Northmoor, Chicago

Melissa Richerson, OSF St. Clare, Peoria Heights

Alicia Roman, Center Home for Hispanic Elderly, Chicago

Janet Stephens, Countryside Care Centre, Aurora

Lisa Taylor, Havana Health Care Center, Havana

Psych/Social and Resident Services

Sister Lucille Adelmann, Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, Joliet

Mary Beasley, Mayfield Care Center, Chicago

Brenda Grant, Sheridan Healthcare Center, Zion

Esther Heaton, The Elms, Macomb

Javita Hooks, Collinsville Rehab and Health Care, Collinsville

Diane Lee, Sheridan Healthcare Center, Zion

Andre Matlock, Grasmere Place LLC, Chicago

Judy Taylor, Helia Healthcare of Energy, Energy

Erin Travis, The Grove of LaGrange Park, La Grange Park

Lisann Williams, Peterson Park Health Care Center, Chicago

Residents

Robert Alcaraz, Alden Lincoln Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Chicago

Vicky Bell, Alden Princeton, Chicago

Roger Caldwell, Atrium Health Care and Rehab, Cahokia

Loren Ellis, Doctors Nursing and Rehabilitation, Salem

Aviva Hagari, The Grove North Living and Rehab, Skokie

Dennis Halsey, Alden Estates of Skokie, Skokie

Bob Irwin, Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, Joliet

Richard Mejia, Fairview Care Center of Joliet, Joliet

Alice Mintz, Arbour Health Care Center, Chicago

Miriam “Mimi” Neff, Aviston Countryside Manor, Aviston

“Bucky” Charles Rutz, Carlyle Healthcare Center, Carlyle

Ronald Snyder, Palos Hill Extended Care, Palos Hills

Yvonne Stowers, Alden Valley Ridge, Bloomingdale

Marcella Swanson, Sunny Hill Nursing Home of Will County, Joliet

Willie Townsend, Alden Princeton, Chicago

Therapy

Vickie Campbell, Vandalia Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Vandalia

Clara Upshaw, Children’s Habilitation Center, Harvey

Volunteers

Annette Black, Springfield Terrace, Springfield

Ethel Carlson, Marigold Rehab & Health Care, Galesburg

Jill Madden, Hammond Henry Hospital, Geneseo

Pastor Randall Pate, Sycamore Healthcare Centre, Quincy

The Health Care Council of Illinois is proud to honor these outstanding individuals through the “Heroes in Long Term Care” program.

“These people are shining examples of the heroes who live and work in long term care facilities throughout Illinois,” said Pat Comstock, executive director of the Health Care Council of Illinois. “They demonstrate every day a level of commitment and caring that is unsurpassed.”

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The Health Care Council of Illinois is a professional association of more than 600 nursing facilities committed to quality residential health care in Illinois through a productive and responsible partnership between the private and public sectors. HCCI represents more than 65,000 nursing home professionals serving more than 52,000 residents. HCCI serves as the joint government affairs and communication arm for the Illinois Health Care Association and the Illinois Council on Long Term Care.