Fort Kent ~ Amy Perreault, a Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.) and Medication Technician at Forest Hill Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, was informed on August 11 that she had been selected as one of the recipients for the 2017 Excellence in Long-Term Care Award. Mary Ann Desjardins, Director of Nursing at Forest Hill said, “Amy is a strong advocate for the residents and she is not afraid to stand up to for the welfare of residents. She is truly devoted and shows compassion not only for residents but for family members as well.” Desjardins shared that Perreault took the initiative earlier this summer to coordinate a fundraiser to purchase two swings for residents to enjoy the outdoors.
Perreault has been a C.N.A. for twenty six years and a Medication Technician for twelve years. She has been employed by Forest Hill, a department of Northern Maine Medical Center, for a total of eight years. During her healthcare career, she has also worked in home care nursing and assisted living. She has been back in the long-term care setting for three years and she says,” I do it because I love the residents and I feel that I become part of an extended family.” She went on to say that when she learned of the award, she felt honored to receive the recognition.
The annual award to recognize long-term care workers in Maine and the subsequent event to honor the selected direct care workers is sponsored by the Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Brenda Gallant, RN, Executive Director for the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program said in her notification letter, “Amy was nominated because she exemplifies an extraordinary level of care giving, attention to consumer rights and leadership among peers. She is an inspiration and we are pleased to honor her for the special contributions she has made through her work in providing direct care.” Annually, this honor is awarded to acknowledge the dedication and skills of Maine’s outstanding direct-care professionals. The Ombudsman Program role is to represent consumers’ interests before state and federal government by working to change laws, regulations and policies that affect consumers of long-term care services and advocate for consumers to guide them through the sometimes complex long-term care system.
Each year, for the past fifteen years, an independent panel has selected the award recipients from the submitted nominations across the state of Maine. Direct care workers must meet specific criteria to be eligible for the award, such as: employment by the current facility or agency for at least one year, demonstrated performance which exemplifies an extraordinary level of resident care and attention to resident rights, acknowledged as a leader among peers in promoting a positive environment in the care of residents and the individual must exhibit a work ethic that promotes resident quality of life and care. On September 5, 2017, the Fifteenth Annual Excellence in Long-Term Care Award event will be held at the Blaine House in Augusta. Maine’s First Lady, Ann LePage will be on hand to join the special recognition event which will celebrate and honor the dedication and outstanding work of the honorees that care for Maine’s older and disabled citizens.
Perreault resides in Fort Kent with her husband; in her leisure time she enjoys flower gardening, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
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