Tuesday, January 06, 2009
NEWS
Regional Caregivers of the Year Selected by CARE-NETS
In the state of Georgia, there are more than 1.3 million family caregivers providing billions of dollars of care to family members living with chronic illnesses, disabilities and limitations of aging. They are supported in their work by an army of dedicated volunteer and paraprofessional caregivers. The work of these individuals together makes it possible for Georgians with disabilities and chronic illnesses to live with dignity in the community.
Although caregivers rarely get the thanks and recognition they deserve, the Rosalynn Carter Institute sought to remedy that fact by initiating the Georgia Caregivers of the Year Awards in 2007. The first regional and state winners were selected last fall.
In early June, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving asked each of the 12 CARE-NETs in Georgia to put out a call for nominations for 2008 Winners, and accept nominations in three categories.
Family Caregiver of the Year
Para-Professional Caregiver of the Year
Volunteer Caregiver of the Year
Outstanding caregivers were nominated by clients, co-workers or friends because of their superior caregiving abilities and devotion to others for whom they provide care. From the nominees they received, the CARE-NETs selected their regional winners. The RCI would like to congratulate the following caregivers from Georgia who are the regional winners for 2008:
Family Caregiver of the Year
- Mildred Burton, Americus
- Gwendolyn Gibbs, Rochelle
- Jessica & Drew Gilliard, Douglas
- Patricia & Elwood Guda, Gainesville
- Sandra Partridge, Atlanta
- Jean Thomas, Newnan
- Allison Tripp, Macon
- William and Florrie Whigham, Albany
- Rosa Willis, Greensboro
Para-Professional Caregiver of the Year
- Patsy Beck, Rome
- Janna Bruce, Athens
- Nicese Fells, Atlanta
- Pam Hall, Albany
- Jeanette Hayes, Baxley
- Marian McNeal, Savannah
- Jan Treadwell, LaGrange
- Mary Ruth Tyre, Blackshear
- Julia Warren, Oglethorpe
Volunteer Caregiver of the Year
- Twanner Baker, Stone Mountain
- Iona Cason, Albany
- Laura Evelyn Fowler, Waycross
- Leona Hayes, Newnan
- Ken Jasnau, Eatonton
- Ruth Jones, Americus
- Florence Korum, Cumming
- Cory Mansour, Athens
- Norma Lee Newsome, Odum
These winners have been honored by their regional CARE-NET or will be recognized at a presentation soon. Each receive a medallion and certificate from the Rosalynn Carter Institute.