BAYADA Hospice

Welcome to our new series, "Be You," sponsored by our Pride Employee Resource Council (ERC). Throughout this series, we have the opportunity to feature different team members as they explain how BAYADA creates safe and supportive spaces for them bring their authentic selves to work each day.

Meet Mark Wussler (he/him), a BAYADA Physical Therapist in Maui, Hawaii. Mark finds BAYADA to be accepting and tremendously supportive. “My director gives me the opportunity to speak to our entire staff every year during Pride Month on different topics of interest concerning our diverse community,” he says.

Mark’s story is both inspiring and inspirational. After coming out in 1977, he faced challenges but found that “they were not as difficult as the weight of trying to live my life being untruthful to the people I loved.” Mark is the founding member of the Different Strokes swim team in San Diego, CA, established in 1985 and still thriving today. He was also a founding member of the International Gay and Le***an Aquatics.

Mark is proud to share the history of the LGBTQIA+ community. He finds BAYADA not only tolerant and accepting, but also encouraging of celebrating and being proud. Every year, he continues to educate his BAYADA colleagues by sharing a piece of LGBT history.

Thank you, Mark, for being you! Learn more about our ERCs here: https://bhhc.co/4axH3MA

It really does take a village! We are thankful for our Meadville, Williamsport, State College, and Laurel Highlands, PA, offices and division directors who all worked together to help bring our client, Bowen, home from the hospital safely. Photographed here is BAYADA nurse Rachel with Bowen and his family.

We believe our clients and their families deserve excellent clinical care in the comfort of their own homes. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

BAYADA proudly represented home care at the 23rd Annual NJ IARP Conference in Atlantic City, one of the largest nurse case manager conferences in the mid-Atlantic region. Directors Robert Carbonello, Rebecca Russell, Pam Soni, and Sherry Toussaint attended, engaging in educational sessions and networking.

They made valuable connections, resulting in significant adult nursing referrals. We look forward to advancing the rehabilitation profession and fostering meaningful industry connections.

Is your calling to work with children and young adults with autism, but you aren't sure where to start? We're here to help! As a Behavior Technician/Trainee, you will become certified to work one-on-one with clients with autism or those who could benefit from behavioral analysis. Learn how you can help clients build independence, improve behaviors, and develop social skills, while building your career:
bhhc.co/4aDqRJA

Our Kauai, HI Habilitation team invited clients and employees to celebrate at their BAYADA Summer Bash. Everyone had a great time playing games and working on arts and crafts. What are some of your favorite summer activities?

Mark your calendars for the 41st Annual BAYADA Regatta on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Temple University Boathouse!

This year's event promises to be an incredible day of adaptive rowing, community spirit, and celebration of "The BAYADA Way." Come out to support the athletes, exchange stories, and make unforgettable memories. We can’t wait to see you there!

Find more details here: https://www.bayada.com/regatta/index.asp

Our BAYADA Egg Harbor Township, NJ, office hosted a fun-filled day at the Cape May County Park/Zoo for our nurses and their families. The event was brimming with laughter, joy, and community spirit. We are immensely grateful for the compassion and dedication our nurses bring to our community, and we loved celebrating them. Check out some highlights from their amazing day!

“I love palliative care. It’s challenging but rewarding. I care for the whole patient, organizing their healthcare needs to keep them comfortable at home,” says Leandra, RN.

Meet one of our nurses, Leandra, who runs point on the BAYADA at Inspira Health palliative program. She delivers exceptional care to high-risk clients and ensures seamless transitions with our Nurse Practitioners and hospice team.

Thank you, Leandra, for your dedication and compassion!

"Being with Anne for the last 10 years and becoming part of her family has brought me so much joy. There's nothing better than having a job you love and being part of a family you truly enjoy helping." - Rebecca, BAYADA Habilitation Technician

We are thankful for our BAYADA caregivers like Rebecca who are dedicated to caring for our clients and leaving a positive impact on their lives. ❤️

Our Hearts for Home Care Advocacy advocates are real team players. They work together to meet with local politicians, media, and key decision-makers to raise awareness of the challenges facing home care today.

You can learn more about getting involved here: https://www.heartsforhomecare.com/get-involved

Your tuition bill won’t pay for itself — but the good news is that the application window for BAYADA’s Advance to LPN Scholarship Program has been EXTENDED to November 15! Pay down school fees, skill-up with a success coach, and grow quickly with immediate career advancement. Learn more and complete an interest form here: bhhc.co/4eiW1sG

Two-year-old BAYADA client Gigi from Hazleton, PA, who has Muscular Dystrophy, needs your support. Although she has five nurses under her care, she still requires more help. However, low state funding is making it hard to find the additional nurses she needs. Join us and Hearts for Home Care Advocacy in advocating for increased private duty nursing funding in Pennsylvania to support families like hers.

Read more of Gigi's story here: bit.ly/45XEO4o

Learn how to take action here: bhhc.co/4cxPqcM

Luzerne County mom spreading the word for home health funding in PA EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Many families face quite a dilemma when they cannot access the home care they need for their child, spouse, or parent. It means they often consider leaving their jobs …

Our BAYADA client, Emily, looks up to her certified nursing assistants so much that she too wants to become a BAYADA nurse one day!

Check out her recent visit to our office in Erie, PA where she practiced giving a nebulizer treatment, a flutter vest treatment, and changing out a trach and G-tube. Looks like she'll be a great candidate for our Nurse Residency Program in the near future!

Shoutout to Megan Johnson, our 2024 Physical Therapist National Hero of the Year! Megan’s dedication to children with complex diagnoses is truly inspiring. Read more about her incredible journey here: https://bhhc.co/3ywSeHZ

Congratulations to BAYADA Home Health Aide Valerie who was recently honored with a Hero Award for exemplifying the "BAYADA Way."

Valerie has been providing care to our clients for the past twenty-five years, leaving a significant impact on those she has cared for. She has consistently demonstrated exceptional care and kindness.

Thank you, Valerie, for all you do!

What are some of your favorite summer activities? Our client Rebecca and her BAYADA caregiver enjoy planning special activities like picking strawberries and going to the beach!

BAYADA takes a collaborative, holistic approach to helping our clients feel their best at home and in their community. Learn more about BAYADA's services: https://bhhc.co/3UzqYQm

Congrats to BAYADA Home Health Aide (HHA) Louise Julason, who was recently recognized as this year’s overall statewide winner and recipient of the “Vicki Hoak Direct Care Worker of the Year” award by the Homecare Association with the support of the Department of Aging!

“Louise's 32-year dedication as a BAYADA HHA is unparalleled. Her expertise and her role as a mentor make her an extraordinary caregiver. Louise truly exceeds expectations," said Nicole Mezzanotte, BAYADA Director, who nominated Louise for the 2024 Direct Care Worker of the Year Awards.

Read more: https://bhhc.co/3LaoJPc

"Attending professional conferences allows nurse leaders to further expand their knowledge by hearing from subject matter experts and share best practices through networking with one another. I recently had the opportunity to attend the annual conference for the Organization of Nurse Leaders. And…with the extra special benefit of role modeling professionalism in nursing by having my daughter, who just completed her first year of nursing school, accompany me. " - Mandy Tilton, BAYADA Chief Nursing Officer

Happy Fourth of July from BAYADA!

As we celebrate our nation's independence, let’s also take a moment to honor and remember the brave men and women who serve our country.

Starting this week, we invite you to join us in wearing "BAYADA red" every Friday. By donning red, we’re standing in solidarity with our troops and sending them our heartfelt appreciation.

Together, we can make a powerful statement of unity and support. To learn more about this initiative and how you can participate, visit: https://bhhc.co/4byJn6i

Ready to elevate your nursing career? Our Advance to LPN Scholarship Program provides a supportive pathway for BAYADA caregivers to obtain their first nursing credential and advance their healthcare careers.

Don’t delay! Applications are due by July 12! Learn more today! bhhc.co/4eiW1sG

Some of our employees and their families attended Walk ALS North Jersey in Saddle Brook, NJ, to support those affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. They had a great time sharing BAYADA resources and connecting with families and community members.

Thank you to our dedicated employees for their participation and support!

We're honored to celebrate and support the vibrant diversity at BAYADA, championed by our PRIDE Employee Resource Council every day. Their daily commitment to equality and belonging for the LGBTQIA+ community inspires us all. Let's continue to foster respect and acceptance beyond Pride Month!

Pride Blog: https://bhhc.co/3W3yB3D

Save the date for The BAYADA Regatta on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Temple University Boathouse!

The 41st Annual BAYADA Regatta is more than an adaptive rowing event—it's a celebration of community, empowerment, and "The BAYADA Way"! Connect with athletes, share stories, and create lasting memories. We hope you can join us to be a part of this inspiring day.

Learn more about the event here: https://bhhc.co/4cwy3Zy

Join us in honoring Carleigh, a dedicated Client Services Manager at BAYADA, who served as a combat medic in the Army Reserves, gaining invaluable medical experience and demonstrating exceptional leadership.

Carleigh first joined BAYADA as a habilitation technician in our Oahu, HI office and worked her way up to her CSM position, answering the call when our Erie team needed help.

Thank you, Carleigh, for your service and continued commitment to excellence! Share some love with her below. ❤️

❤️ 🕊️ Congratulations to Lisa Begley, BAYADA Director, who has been honored with the Mary Hockstein Award Recipient for Excellence in Enterprise Support Leadership!

"This award is all about Mary, and everything that she did. It really is an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as her because she was a gem," said Lisa.

“Lisa is a true reflection of 'The BAYADA Way', and even more so, of Mary's legacy of innovation, kindness, and love," said Eric Thule, BAYADA Chief of Staff.

Learn more about Lisa: https://bhhc.co/3XsPhCG

At BAYADA, our Pride Employee Resource Council (ERC) continually educates and supports the LGBTQIA+ community and allies by fostering authentic dialogue to create safe spaces and actionable change.​

Meet Carol DePietropolo (she/her): a BAYADA Reimbursement Collections Associate who has been with BAYADA for 6 years. Carol is also a member of our PRIDE ERC and the current ERC Chair. Carol, raised by an accepting single mom, came out as bisexual in middle school and faced challenges with acceptance. Meeting her future husband, Chris, helped her embrace her true self.

For Carol, BAYADA’s ERC has been transformative, fostering relationships and making impactful changes that have enriched her personal and professional life.

Learn more about our ERCs: https://bhhc.co/4axH3MA

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Strong company culture isn't just a perk, it's a strategic advantage. At BAYADA we cultivate a culture where caregivers feel valued and their contributions matter. Our guiding principles, "The BAYADA Way," provide a foundation for everything we do.

Jeff Knapp, BAYADA Chief People Officer, shares how we bring our guiding principles to life to increase employee engagement and create an environment for sustainable business growth with HomeCare Magazine:
https://bhhc.co/45xc2Y5

The Jefferson Health at Home by BAYADA Hospice team recently made a heartwarming moment possible for Jerry, a client and Korean War Veteran. After learning about Jerry's struggle to visit his wife Barbara, our team, led by BAYADA Marketing Manager Emily Davis and BAYADA Division Volunteer Coordinator Suzanne Pepe, coordinated with CPT AJ Spacher to get Jerry to the hospital for a visit.

Jerry was also presented with a challenge coin from the BAYADA Military Community Network (MILCOM) Employee Resource Council. Presenting a challenge coin has a long history among those in the military and first responders as a way to honor service.

Moments like these remind us of the importance and impact of our work!

BAYADA's Michael Labenski and Cheryl Seiler were honored for their involvement in Pennsauken High School's Career Readiness Program. This program demonstrates BAYADA's dedication to community and excellence by helping special education students gain vital job skills in our Global Support Center. BAYADA has supported this initiative since 2019, and we are proud of Michael and Cheryl for their contributions this year.