Arkansas Volunteer Recognition II

The 2^nd Annual Arkansas Outstanding Volunteer LTC Ombudsman Recognition Banquet

A celebration and tribute to the ever growing LTC Ombudsman program was held on October the 13^th at Sherwood Forest.  Conducted by Office of the State LTC Ombudsman, Kathie J. Gately, BSW, SLTCO, the 2^nd Annual Arkansas Volunteer LTC Ombudsman Recognition Banquet recognized the dedication, support and compassion of all who are involved with the program.  Herb Sanderson, Director of the Division of Aging & Adult services and Ed Haas, Director of the White River Area Agency on Aging and current President of the Area Agency on Aging Association commended all of the Certified Volunteer LTC Ombudsman.  Mr. Sanderson and Mr. Haas were made Honorary Certified LTC Ombudsmen by Ms. Gately for their support and advocacy work.

Tributes were made to all the Regional LTC Ombudsmen from each Area Agency on Aging by the State LTC Ombudsmen in regards to their leadership of the program in their service area.  The Certified Volunteer LTC Ombudsmen Coordinators each received a recognition plaque emphasizing them as the frontrunners and the key to the success of the growth of our volunteers.  All attending Certified Back-Up LTC Ombudsmen were recognized for their unbelievable contribution to the expansion of the program.

As established last year, competition among the regions was intense!  Trophies were presented in the two categories that the Coordinators strive to acquire.  The most Certified Volunteer LTC Ombudsmen and the total hours served by region.  This is always taken seriously by each region and kept in the right spirit.  Region VII, Deborah Hanson, RO, SCVOI and Judy Hughes, CVOC, CBUO successfully defended their 1^st place in obtaining the most Certified Volunteer LTC Ombudsmen!   Region III, Peggy Parker, RO and Gary Melton, CVOC raced in for 2^nd place and Region IV, Carolyn Thomas, RO and Ora Mays, CVOC walked away in 3^rd place.  Region IV, Carolyn Thomas, RO and Ora Mays, CVOC were excited as they accepted the 1^st place trophy in the most volunteer Ombudsmen hours provided.  Region VII, Deborah Hanson, RO, SCVOI and Judy Hughes, CVOC, CBUO placed 2^nd and Region I, Mary Askew, RO, SCVOI and Sharon Harris, CVOC smiled as they accepted their 3^rd place trophy in this category. 

Individuals and groups that have supported the LTC Ombudsman program received appreciation certificates by the State LTC Ombudsmen.  DAAS staff members Connie Parker, AD, Carolyn Singleton, Program Adm, Ron Tatus, Project Analyze, Eileen Dozier, AA, Valerie Baker, AA, and Christopher Donahue, AA for the Office of the State LTC Ombudsman. . 

At last, the time came for the presentation of the Annual Arkansas LTC Ombudsman Royce Haigwood Outstanding Volunteer LTC Ombudsman award.  This award was devolved by the State LTC Ombudsman and is dedicated in honor of Royce Haigwood for his many years of service as the Regional LTC Ombudsman for Region II.  The recipient is selected through a process of nominations submitted by each Regional LTC Ombudsman that is presented to a panel of independent judges that rank the nominees according to key above and beyond categories developed by the Office of the State LTC Ombudsman.  This years panel of judges was graciously served by Connie Parker, Deputy Director for the Division of Aging and Adult Services, Nancy Allison, President of the Arkansas Advocates for Nursing Home Residents and Peggy Moody, RN, Adm., Executive Director, Catlett, Corp.. Debra Bearden, Chief Financial Office for the Division of Aging and Adult services read the nominations and presented them the nomination letter along with a gift card on behalf of the Arkansas LTC Ombudsman program.   The 2006 Volunteer LTC Ombudsmen nominees were:

  Marilyn Jarrett, CVO – Region I

  Jane Pindall, CVO – Region II

  Rosie Bilbrey, CVO –Region III

  Kathy Moyers, CVO – Region IV

  Tom Shircliff, CVO – Region V

  Elizabeth Eppinette, CVO – Region VII

  Jim Newcomb, CVO – Region VIII

As I am exceptionally proud of all the Arkansas Volunteer LTC Ombudsmen in throughout the state and know that they are all winners in providing a serious service to our Arkansas nursing home citizens, it was a joy to present Marilyn Jarrett, CVO the 2006 Arkansas LTC Ombudsman Royce Haigwood Outstanding Volunteer LTC Ombudsman Award.  Congratulations!  I know that Mary Askew, RO and Sharon Harris, CVOC will display the accompaning traveling plaque at their Area Agency on Aging! 

We look forward to a continuing expansion of the overall LTC Ombudsman program during 2007 and next years recognition banquet. If you are interested in becoming a Certified Volunteer LTC Ombudsman, please contact your local Ombudsman program at the Area Agency on Aging in your area.  You may also contact the Office of the State LTC Ombudsman through the Division of Aging and Adult Services. 

 Kathie J. Gately