HCAOA The Voice Fall 2020

16 HCAOA The Voice FEATURE ARTICLE EMILY BRESSETTE Home Instead Senior Care, Ohio Bressette is in her 80s and is tough as nails. But she tears up easily when she speaks of her clients and her love for them. Deborah Archer, Director of HR for Grey Havens LLC, said in her nomination, “She is the best kind of tough cookie. The tough cookie with a selfless dedication to others.” Though she could have retired years ago, Bressette has said she will not leave her clients who rely on her for their well-being. She even continued to grocery shop for her client during the pandemic, even though she is in her 80s herself! ERIN BUFFORD Bayada Home Health Care, Pennsylvania Bufford cares full-time for a child with non-verbal autism and learning disabilities who uses an iPad to communicate. Last year, his middle school staged a production of “Frozen,” and his classmates banded together to include him and even wrote a special role for him. He and Bufford are a package deal, so the classmates also included her in the play, with costumes and dancing roles. She spent countless hours in rehearsals after school and on weekends so he could participate and feel included. “Erin’s dedication made sure that her client could experience the joy of being a part of his school years, and made sure he is included with his peers,” said Director Brett Berghardt in her nomination. GWENDOLYN “MICHELLE” MICHAEL BAYADA HOME HEALTH CARE , NORTH CAROLINA Most of Michael’s 23,000 hours of caregiving with Bayada have been spent caring for one client, a man who requires care for a traumatic brain injury and other catastrophic ailments after a work-related accident. The client’s daughter said he considers Michelle to be his “buddy.” “Very simply put, that is what makes their relationship so special. He does not go on and on about what she does. Instead, he comments on how she makes him feel—as though he has a buddy,” said Director Tom Minowicz in his nomination of Michael. FINALISTS