Nancy was nominated by Nikki Warner.

Nancy is an amazing lady! She is one of the chaplains for Great Lakes Caring. Nancy goes above and beyond for the patient and their family members and also the staff. If a family has lost a loved one and has no chaplain, Nancy becomes their chaplain. Nancy has comforted many families in their time of need and helped them through their grieving process. Nancy has done many funerals for families. Nancy also helps the staff if it’s just a little conversation or if staff needs prayers. Nancy is even going to perform a marriage for a staff member in a few months. Nancy is so giving of herself she works on weekends and is on call and never thinks twice about it. Nancy is an amazing listener and ALWAYS has the best Smile. Nancy is a joy to talk with and I have enjoyed getting to know this remarkable lady. Great Lakes Caring is so VERY lucky that Nancy chose them to work for.

Amy was nominated by Vickie Kirkendall.

Amy of Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan was a great wonderful nurse for my dad Merl Stoyanoff. She would always ask if there was anything more that she could do or provide for my dad to make things easier for my mom Bev Stoyanoff. She would make sure all questions were answered before leaving their home or would find the answers. Great one on one with both my parents. She was always sure to check in with me by making phone calls and asking questions if I had any. Her bedside manner was absolutely fantastic. She was the perfect match to be sent for my dad to have home care and stay at home.

Ashley was nominated Ricki Butler for Basil Van Linder.

Ashley Rugg of Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan was my 90 year old father's aide after I brought him home from the hospital. Dad was in a hospital bed and could only get up to sit in his wheel chair periodically with assistance and to use the bedside commode. His legs were very weak. Ashley was always so joyful and happy when she came and it got to where dad really looked forward to her visits. She laughed and joked with him as she gently made sure he was bathed, clean and shaved and nails even cut. Dad became very fond of Ashley over the time she was here. Dad became uncommunicative the last 3 days of his life. Ashley came to see him and to bathe him. She talked to him and made sure he was clean and shaved. She was so gentle. She then held his head up so that I could cut his hair. It meant so much to me that his hair be cut before he died. I had not been able to do it when he was sick. Ashley Rugg is a very very special person and was very special to all of us. I don't think she could ever be replaced.

Tara was nominated by JoAn Mowery

I would like to nominate Tara Stolniki for several reasons. Tara has been a nurse for 6+ years at Southern Care and has worn many different hats, from Director of Office Operations to Case Manager. She has not only shown proficiency in each, she has done so with a warm and caring heart. While being "the boss" she was always available for questions, comment, or just to lend an ear or shoulder to cry on. Tara made it a point to know all of our patients when in that role and their and their families' needs. Never wanting to languish in the office she went out on visits to help the Case Managers whenever possible. Her passion for being hands on has led her back to being a Case Manager as well as furthering her education to provide even better care. It is evident how much she cares for her patients by the numerous notes the families send. As a PRN, I have had the honor to help her with her patients and their words let me know; that she is as kind, knowledgeable and passionate in their care as I have believed. She frequently will spend hours overtime to make sure that the patient and the family are comfortable with the dying process. She has helped ease a particular family's grief by ensuring their death and dying rituals were carried out. Her compassion is not limited to people as she has taken in patient's dogs that were going to be put in a shelter due to the death. Words fall short in describing all she does and the passion that she has shown. I consider myself lucky to be working with such a wonderful RN.

Emmett was nominated Mary Soule - Volunteer Coordinator - Wings of Hope

Understated, and behind the scenes, a hospice volunteer quietly makes a tough day better, one act of kindness at a time. Some of his or her many assignments include listening and encouraging our patients and their loved ones, delivering needed medications and supplies, helping with office and event support, or providing handyman and maintenance services. Our patients inspire us to do everything we can to make each day its best. We are fortunate to have a committed group of volunteers that generously share their time and talents with them.

One of our stand-out volunteers is Emmett Houghton. Emmett has volunteered with Wings of Hope Hospice since November, 2012, and has served in a number of roles. In 2016 alone, he volunteered 121 hours and drove 3367 miles for Wings of Hope Hospice patients. Delivering medications is by far his most frequent assignment. On a typical day, our nurse case managers visit patients to assess how well medications are working. When they and the doctor determine that adjustments are needed, a new prescription is called into the pharmacy. If changes are urgently needed, the nurse will request a volunteer pick up and deliver the medication to the patient's home. Our pharmacy of choice is Portage Pharmacy, which can compound many specialized medications for our patients. A pick-up and delivery is often a 100-mile route. While the distance alone is above and beyond, Emmett is the one we can depend on to meet a patient's needs.

While on medication deliveries, Emmett looks for ways to encourage or bring a smile to the faces of those he meets. Occasionally, he has shoveled a patient's sidewalk or chatted with caregivers about how they are holding up under the stress. When he gets back to the Wings of Hope Hospice office, he also regularly encourages our staff. It is not uncommon for Emmett to just stop into the office to see if there is something he can help with. As you can imagine, there are always a few things that need attention. He has fixed door locks, replaced light bulbs, installed smoke detectors and moved fire extinguishers. We are very grateful for his support.

Layla was nominated by Deb LaRoy.

Layla is amazing. She is a vibrant caring loving person. She listens and understands and would often know exactly what we were trying to describe before we could get it out. She went extra miles often for us. She came to see my dad while he was at Rose Arbor and check on each of us. After dad died she made numerous trips to the nursing home to check on my mom. She and I were also co-workers and I always felt appreciated and uplifted by Layla. I know there are numerous folks in this community who have benefited from her love, care and support. She is truly a blessing.

Debra was nominated by Greg Carlson.

We at Wings of Hope Hospice value Deb McCormick's work in our Medical Records Department. We just finished a record year at Wings of Hope, having a higher census than ever before. Still, Deb goes about her work quietly and maintains an "even keel" emotionally, even when under pressure to process an increasing number of records. We enjoy her unflagging sense of humor - even when things get crazy. She has a good chemistry with the rest of our staff, always ready to serve our needs for information. She is a warm professional in a challenging position. She is outstanding in her competence and eye for detail. She has exemplary character in following through on what she promises to do. The reason I'm nominating Deb is that she works humbly year after year without public recognition. Most of us see our names in print and hear them mentioned during community programs and fundraisers throughout the year. Deb, however, often works alone without acknowledgement. But she has a meaningful and purposeful position. She is a vital part of the team providing compassionate care at the end of life for patients and loved ones.

Gretchen was nominated by Jackie Fletcher.

Gretchen is a wonderful music therapist. My husband Bill was in Amber Gardens (memory ward) at Upjohn Community Care Center. Gretchen brought much joy to him. She played and sang his favorite gospel songs - MUCH TO HIS DELIGHT. During his last hours she "sang him to heaven" and brought comfort to me and my family. Gretchen volunteered to sing at Bill's funeral - all his favorites. It was a joyous occasion. she was so nice to work with - cooperating with our clergy, sound and personal wishes. Everyone was blessed by Gretchen's music, as well as her countenance.

Jeff was nominated by Becky Nichols.

Jeff Bell was kind and sensitive to everyone's needs. He protected patient dignity; was sensitive and provided comfort to my daughter and the family. Jeff is very sincere - an amazing model of a caretaker. He has been a dedicated caregiver for 20 years.

Mary was nominated by Annette Smith.

Mary always provides excellent care for her patients and has gained the respect and appreciation from many of Kalamazoo's local facilities like Kairos and Borgess Gardens. She continues to put her passion for hospice patients into her work every single day. When I ask for more from her she takes on more without question, knowing that it is usually in the best interest of our patients. She has been known to go out after hours, without being on call, and provide care at a patient's death so that the family feels the continuum of care that is always the goal of our organization. Mary is a great asset to our organization and to our community. She deserves to be recognized for all that she has done.

Matt was nominated by Ford Granger.

Matt was so good with mother making her feel very special. He went way beyond his duties in helping her in her last days and in keeping in touch with family.