James Wilson of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children Receives Prestigious Award from the Home Care Association of New York
The Home Care Association of New York State (HCA), as part of National Home Care Month, paid tribute to one of St. Mary’s Community Care Professionals home care clinical staff members for changing the life of a child with special needs through his remarkable care and hard working, patient nature.
James (Jerry) Wilson along with other home care clinical personnel, were honored for their extraordinary commitment to providing quality, compassionate, in-home patient care, at a special awards dinner on Wednesday November 5th, 2008 at HCA’s annual Clinical and Technology Conference in Albany.
“HCA is proud to honor Mr. Wilson as well as our other award winners who go above and beyond the already extraordinary nature of their calling to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients,” said HCA President Joanne Cunningham. “Though Mr. Wilson’s service to patients is outstanding, his individual story of dedication and compassion reflect the broader mission of all front-line home care staff.”
Mr. Wilson has been an employee of St. Mary’s Community Care Professionals, a licensed home care service agency of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, one of the region’s largest providers of intensive rehabilitation, specialized care, and education for children with special needs, since January 2008, and colleagues say he has demonstrated great commitment to improve the condition of his 12-year old patient, Jasan Stuart.
“Mr. Wilson recognized this young boy’s need for independence and was able to translate that into reality through a thorough plan of care,” said Hilda Pearson, Mr. Wilson’s supervisor who observed Mr. Wilson’s care during a visit and nominated him for the prestigious award. “The look of pride and accomplishment that was seen on this patient’s face was enough to melt your heart.” Mr. Wilson works with Jasan to help him renew and gain strengths in his legs, hips, and back, as well as helping him improve his muscle coordination.
In a letter from the patient’s family written on behalf of Mr. Wilson, the patient’s mother noted, “The first time he took my son out on his adaptive bicycle, tears came to my eyes because my son was riding for the first time in his life – I never dreamed that I would see this day.” The young patient himself included a letter praising Mr. Wilson as one of his best aides. “I know that he is not family, but deep down in my heart, he is like a big brother to me,” Jasan wrote.
“I have watched Jasan come out of his shell and it’s a pleasure witnessing a more active, pleasurable, and motivated child. God bless this aid, because it takes a lot of patience and understanding to do such an incredible job,” said one of Jasan’s neighbors who also wrote a recommendation letter in support of James’s nomination.
St. Mary’s Community Care Professionals provides specialty rehabilitation, nursing, and support services for children and adults in the New York metropolitan area. St. Mary’s skilled professionals work side by side with healthcare providers and family members to deliver an individualized treatment plan for each patient and services include, nursing – RN & LPN visits and private duty nursing, specialized pediatric nursing, skilled nursing visits for the acutely and chronically ill adult patients, home health aide & personal care aide, homemaker & housekeeper, rehabilitation therapy visits, nutritional services, feeding therapists and medical social work.
