Courtney Johnston, Hospice RN & Clinical Liaison at Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice
For nearly 14 years, we have been recognizing and honoring great Hospice caregivers throughout the central Ohio community. And this never gets old. Whether we walk into an office where many people know who we are and why we are there or we walk into an office where people are just learning about the Hospice Caregiver Award program, everyone is always delighted to see that one of their own has been recognized for the great work they do.
When we arrived at Ohio Living to surprise Courtney in front of a group of her peers, there were several faces we recognized - some previous monthly winners and some who have nominated caregivers for the program. Of course, Courtney knew she had been nominated for the award because she had received a personalized note card and a special cup. But she was very surprised when we announced that she was the April winner.
We know that great Hospice caregivers are great Hospice caregivers because of their compassion and caring; not because they want to be recognized for their efforts. That's why it's so special when we, an outside company, get to honor them for the amazing people they are.
Here is what Leyla Zickau had to say about Courtney:
There are moments in life when the path ahead feels uncertain—when families stand at the threshold of difficult decisions, searching for clarity, comfort, and peace. It is in these sacred spaces that Courtney gently arrives. As a Clinical Liaison and RN, she does far more than guide patients onto service, she walks beside families in some of their most tender and vulnerable moments. Whether in hospitals, homes, or assisted and independent living communities, Courtney meets each person exactly where they are with a presence that is both grounding and grace-filled. Her knowledge is a steady compass, offering clarity when confusion lingers. Yet it is her empathy that transforms information into understanding and fear into trust. She listens deeply, speaks with intention, and ensures that every family feels seen, heard, and supported. Courtney carries the true spirit of hospice within her—placing the needs of patients and families above all else, honoring their journeys with dignity and compassion. She does not simply do her job; she becomes a source of comfort, a guide through uncertainty, and a quiet strength when it is needed most. The impact she leaves extends far beyond a single interaction, it ripples through families, through our team, and throughout the entire agency. She reminds us all what it means to serve with both skill and soul. For her unwavering dedication, her compassionate heart, and the profound difference she makes each day, Courtney is deeply deserving of the Monthly Caregiver Award. She is, without question, the embodiment of hospice in action.
Congratulations, Courtney. You exemplify what it means to be a hospice caregiver.
If you know someone like Courtney and would like to nominate them for the Hospice Caregiver Award by Schoedinger, just visit our website https://www.thecaregivingtree.com/hospice-caregiver-award/nominate-a-caregiver. Be sure to give examples about why this person deserves to be nominated.