Our People Make the Difference
Angie Walker and Sarah Wald Named September "Difference Makers"
Angie Walker, Administrative Assistant to the President/CEO pictured with Tom McBride.
Angie Walker is diligent, organized and conscientious at ensuring that Epworth Village meets the array of standards she tracks each day. Her work attending meetings on behalf of CEO Tom McBride and her ability to look at data in detail makes her a vital part of the Epworth team. Walker’s role ensures Epworth maintains standards set forth by the Joint Commission and many other areas we must be careful to operate within. She has a heart for the children and the information she collects, analyzes and reports on, is as a road map of how the agency is truly performing in its care for the children and family we serve each day. Walker takes her job seriously. This shows not only in the way she performs her job duties, but also in the way she interacts with her peers.
Sarah Wald, Psychotherapist pictured with Eunice Williams, Director of Therapeutic Services.
As a therapist, Wald is truly carrying out Epworth’s family-centered treatment philosophy. Wald took the lead in developing a “Family Matters Group” for children who have literally no identified family resource. This group has enhanced the quality of services Epworth provides. In all aspects of her professional life at Epworth, Wald exhibits a great attitude and character that makes other employees both admire her and want to emulate her as well. Wald enjoys new challenges and is always willing to step up to the plate if there is work to be done. She is a great member of the team.
Lorraine Hoyle and Laura Miller named August "Difference Makers"
Lorraine Hoyle In-Home Safety Services, IHSS Director Andy Marquart (not pictured).
Co-workers say, “Lorraine Hoyle has always gone above and beyond for the cases she works with. She has a tremendous ability to relate with clients and de-escalate them. Lorraine ensures that the families are doing the work needed all along ensuring the safety of the children. She has a tremendous sense of humor and is a great team player. She will take on leadership roles within cases without hesitation. All in all, Lorraine is making huge differences on a daily basis with the families and children she works with.”
Laura Miller, RN Lead Nurse and Kristi Weber, VP of Programs.
Co-workers say, “Laura Miller has such a wonderful, happy attitude that rubs off on co-workers and clients. Even if she is not feeling well, there is a smile on her face. Laura goes beyond the call of duty in the work she does at Epworth Village. She really exemplifies what Epworth is all about and cares personally for the clients she sees. She does all of this with a humble, committed heart and gentle spirit.”
RaNee Buller and Derrie Nelson named July "Difference Makers"
Pam Phillippe, Vice-President of Finance with RaNee Buller, Bookkeeper.
Co-workers say, “RaNee has a great attitude. She is quick to respond to any request and she does not hesitate putting down what she is doing and getting done what is requested of her. She is always looking at what she can do to take the load off of her co-workers. She is very helpful to all staff. RaNee has an upbeat tone with the staff members who come to the Business Office and never hesitates to tell them to ‘Have a good day!’ She is pleasant to all staff and willing to help out wherever help is needed.”
Todd Sterns, Residential Manager; Derrie Nelson, Residential Therapeutic Specialist and Dave Rea, Residential Director.
Co-workers say, “Derrie has stepped up to numerous challenges this month. He has recently taken on a leadership role on second shift at Coleman Treatment Group Home. Derrie has exhibited strong de-escalation skillswith some very challenging youth. Additionally, he has taken the initiative to work individually with a client who was struggling a great deal. Finally, he has offered many solutions to challenges in the unit.”
Brenda Sterns and Darwin Weisheit named June "Difference Makers"
Brenda Sterns with award presented by Kristi Weber, VP of Programs.
Brenda does a great job interacting with every child and family as they enter the Epworth program. Sterns has the empathy, compassion and commitment it takes to find families the doorway they need towards hope. The work of admissions can be wrought with paperwork and pressure, but Brenda has the attitude and fortitude to see through the tasks at hand. Brenda does all this with a smile and a belief in the children and families she serves.
Joel Weisheit, Assistant Maintenance Director; Darwin Weisheit and Dennis Dooley, Maintenance Director.
Darwin does a lot of behind the scenes work that often does not get noticed. He is does a lot of preventative maintenance on Epworth’s heating and air systems so they keep employees and children comfortable during those sometimes unbearable Nebraska conditions. Most recently, his dedication and flexibility was demonstrated during the remodeling project at Stevens and the pipe bursting at Blatchford Residential Treatment Center. Darwin rearranged vacation time and put in a lot of extra hours to ensure the projects were finished. He is a hard worker and works well with the people around him.
Karen Tonniges with award presented by Dave Rea, Residential Manager.
Karen works above and beyond her job description at Blatchford Residential Treatment Center. She is willing to go the extra mile to really help out the morning shift and the evening shift. She makes both shifts run smoothly due to the fact that she is so productive. Karen is a team player and has great rapport with the children and other staff members. She is well organized and takes the lead in training our other over night employees. Karen is truly a difference maker at Blatchford.
Erin Pinneo with award presented by Brandee Ehlers, In-Home Safety Services Supervisor.
Erin is dedicated to the families she works with. She recently completed additional training to increase her skill base so she can provide family support services as well as visitation and electronic monitoring. Erin is the only trained electronic monitoring specialist on the York In-Home Safety Services team. She has gone out of her way to learn and grow in her knowledge base as well as her skills to better serve families. She treats each and every family with respect and concern, taking time to listen and observe to better help them meet their needs. Erin establishes rapport with her families which in turn helps the family trust her as she guides them to solutions that will strengthen their lives.
Pam Gulbrandson and Deb Ramsey named April "Difference Makers"
Pam Gulbrandson, HR Specialist, with award presented by Josh Stafursky, vice-president of Human Resources.
Co-workers say, “Throughout the past year Pam has taken on different responsibilities that have required her to develop many new relationships and tackle a lot of new tasks. Pam has been proactive and stepped forward to offer assistance to department heads and supervisors with their payroll issues so they can concentrate on other tasks. She offers new ideas that can help us administer payroll and benefits more efficiently. The agency has added about 40 new employees in the last year and a half and Pam has been a big part of making sure the transition has been smooth with HR and benefits issues.”
Deb Ramsey, office assistant at EVLC, with award presented by Scott Wiles, Director of Education
Co-workers say, “Deb Ramsey is the epitome of kindness, thoughtfulness and team spirit. She is always friendly to everyone and is always ready to drop everything and help where she is asked. Most important, is the Christ-centered love she displays in her interactions with both the staff and children we serve. Deb is truly a blessing to everyone.”
Sivi Detwiler and Holly Fuhr named March "Difference Makers"
Sivi Detwiler, with award presented by Brandee Ehlers, IHSS Supervisor
Sivi Detwiler works with In-Home Safety Services. Co-workers say, “She is modest about the work she does and her ‘heart’ is in everything she does. Sivi approaches team mates with humor and her peers see her as a source of information. She can identify and see strengths in families that build on their success. She is a natural when it comes to communication and is a teammate to the family as well. Sivi exemplifies family-centered practice in everything she says and does.”
Holly Fuhr, with award presented by Eunice Williams, Director of Therapeutic Services
Therapist, Holly Fuhr works in the family-centered therapeutic department. Co-workers say, “Holly is patient and perseveres with the client/families on her case load. She has given a lot of planning and teamwork to make Blatchford Residential Treatment Center group therapy even more successful. Holly uses best practice therapy especially suited to younger clients here. Holly is very committed to Epworth Village and to the families we serve."
Anna Penke named February "Difference Maker"
Anna Penke, Family Partner with Epworth’s In Home Safety Services Program, has been named the February Employee of the Month. Penke works on the Missouri River Team.
Co-workers say, “Anna consistently gives 150%. She is a dynamo! There is no other way to describe her. She is always willing to step up and help out. Anna is firm while being supportive and nurturing with her families and keeps a sense of humor while dealing with some very frustrating cases. She is regularly complimented by Health and Human Services staff for her dedication and positive outcomes with the families she works with.”
Anna you make Epworth and the Missouri River Team proud! Congratulations!
Amber Richters named January Difference Maker
Residential Therapeutic Specialist, Amber Richters has been named the January 2010 Epworth Employee of the Month.
Co-workers say, “Amber is dedicated and willing to go the extra mile to help the children we serve with issues they struggle with and also her co-workers. She has helped make our team at Dinsdale very strong. She is creative at setting up activities for the children that not only they enjoy but also learn something from while doing. Amber is a joy to work with. It is without a doubt that she will continue to make our team even stronger in the future.”
Congratulations, you are a great member of the Epworth family!