Anita Robinson, STNA at National Church Residences Hospice
Sometimes a nomination comes in that just captures our selection committee and blows them away. It is the compassion and kindness that tugs at the heartstrings and causes them to select that nomination over another. That is exactly what happened with Anita Robinson’s nomination. Our selection committee was unanimous.
I reached out to Anita’s nominator, Heather Keener, to let her know that Anita had been selected and she was absolutely delighted. Heather said, “She is so deserving of this.”
When we surprised Anita at the next all-staff meeting in front of a group of her peers, she was surprised and humbled and gracious.
Here is what Heather had to say about Anita:
"I am nominating Anita for this caregiver award because she has, by far, exceeded any expectation there could possibly be for the position of a hospice aide. Anita is always focused on how she can improve her skills and approach to better serve our patients. Anita was willing to sit with a patient for an extended period of time, who declined personal care, but just wanted to hold Anita’s hand. Anita shared the impact this experience had on her, that she was so humbled by this experience, but she was mostly focused on how special it was for the patient to have a supportive presence there, as they had recently lost their spouse and was struggling with loneliness. Anita has also gone above and beyond to get creative with her schedule so she can tend to each patient’s needs, such as visiting at mealtimes when a patient needs fed or making herself available for these specific requests. Anita also encourages facility staff to alert her when they need assistance and advocates for each patient by reporting concerns, questions, and needs reported verbally and nonverbally by the patient. Anita has repetitively been at bedside when a patient needed a supportive presence the most, due to pain, and she did not leave until she knew the patient was relaxed and back to comfortable. Anita is a wonderful team player who gives her all each and every day when it comes to her patients and peers. Anita constantly shows kindness, compassion, empathy, and patience, even with combative/aggressive patients as she has recognized it is not personal but sometimes a cruel part of the disease process. Even in these situations, Anita does not give up, she tries harder and remains patient with a calm demeanor. Anita makes sure that not one need of a patient goes unnoticed or unaddressed. Anita is the most gentle and selfless caregiver there is. She is most deserving of this award. I believe Anita truly gives her 100% raw and authentic self to each person, not just patient, that she engages with and she does this out of the unmatched kindness and warmth she has in her heart. Anita deserves recognition as she, most of the time, does not see these valuable qualities in herself. She believes it is really just what you do as a person, aide, and caregiver. The world is truly a better place because Anita is in it and we are SO blessed to experience her love and light. Thank you for being you, Anita!"
Congratulations Anita. You truly exemplify what it means to be a Hospice Caregiver.
If you know someone like Anita who deserves recognition as an amazing caregiver, please nominate them here on our website. It takes just a few minutes to tell their story.