Maine Health Care Association, Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program honor long-term care staff

WATERVILLE — The Maine Health Care Association and the Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program  honored 20 long-term care workers with the Excellence in Long Term Care Award at Thomas College’s Spann Student Commons.

The prestigious Excellence in Long Term Care Award recognizes Maine’s most dedicated and inspired caregivers who tirelessly serve thousands of older and disabled individuals living in Maine nursing homes, assisted living facilities and those too receiving in-home care services.  

With more than 80 nominations this year, a panel of judges chose winners after carefully reviewing detailed letters  addressing criteria including nominees’ ability to deliver consistently high-quality compassionate care; ability to serve  clients with respect and dignity; and their ability to inspire others with fortitude in a challenging and ever-growing field.  

Among the winners is Mariko Murray from Hibbard Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Dover-Foxcroft.

The winners represent Maine’s most exceptional. “These individuals are nothing short of amazing,” MHCA President and  CEO Angela Westhoff noted, “we should all be so lucky as to have anyone of these people helping us when our turn  comes. These are consummate professionals with a natural disposition to give of themselves day in and day out. As all of  us know, caregiving is not for the weak. These are tough jobs, but as this group of 20 will tell you, the reward that comes  from true service-oriented caregiving brings lifelong personal fulfillment. I am grateful to each of our winners.”  

On hand to deliver the inspiring keynote at Thomas College was Betsy Hopkins, director of Maine’s Office of Aging and  Disability Services. “The care and dedication of these honorees is evident and overwhelming. I pledge to you today to  keep a light beaming on you and your peers, the lifeblood of long-term health care.” 

Maine Health Care Association, which represents the 200-plus Maine nursing homes, assisted living/residential care facilities,  has been recognizing Maine’s service staff for nearly 20 years with this award.