Submitted by Amber Bettinger-Lytle, Adoray Home Health & Hospice
BALDWIN, WI – Adoray Home Health and Hospice, a leading provider of home-based care in Western Wisconsin, has launched a new Awards program to recognize the remarkable contributions of its staff and volunteers. The Awards were announced at the Adoray Holiday Party on Saturday, January 13, 2024, as part of the celebration of National Home Care and Hospice Month that took place in November.
The Awards are named after individuals who played a key role in the founding and development of Adoray. Mary Troftgruben, the founder and first CEO of Adoray, was honored with the Employee Awards, given to two staff members who demonstrated excellence in their roles and embodied the mission and values of Adoray. Mary was honored to be able to personally present the awards to our employees and share the heartwarming story of how Adoray was started. Awards were also named for two others, Nancy Parlin, a Volunteer who also served on the Adoray Board of Directors, and Barb Hess, one of Adoray’s longest Volunteers who served in every area of Adoray. Both showed exceptional dedication and compassion and we are honored to keep their memory and legacy alive with the Volunteer Awards. Barb’s daughter Tammy Erickson was delighted to be able to personally present the award in honor of her mother to the Volunteer.
Adoray CEO Amanda Gustafson expressed her gratitude and admiration for the staff and volunteers who make Adoray a trusted and respected organization in the community. “I want to express my sincere appreciation for the unwavering commitment and exceptional work demonstrated by every individual within our Adoray family. Your relentless dedication ensures that our clients receive the highest standard of care and support, enabling them to thrive within the comfort of their homes,” she said.
Mary Troftgruben Employee of the Year Award – Martina Stelzner, Adoray CNA and Volunteer Coordinator is the recipient of the 2023 Mary Troftgruben Employee of the Year Award. This award honors the legacy of Mary Troftgruben, the founder of Adoray, who envisioned a world where everyone could access home health and hospice services regardless of their financial situation. Martina Stelzner has demonstrated this vision in her work, showing compassion, collaboration, communication, community, and commitment to our patients and our organization. She has gone above and beyond in providing quality care and ensuring patient satisfaction. Her colleagues have praised her “tireless efforts mirror Mary Troftgruben’s vision of ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all.” Martina Stelzner is a true embodiment of Adoray’s mission and values.
Mary Troftgruben Servant Leader of the Year Award – Leann Huston, Adoray Director of IT is the recipient of the 2023 Servant Leader Award. The Servant Leader Award celebrates individuals who showcase exceptional leadership by putting others first, showing selflessness, and dedicating themselves to serving the needs of their team or community. Leann is a true servant leader who “embodies the spirit of servant leadership through her selfless commitment to volunteerism, both within and outside our organization. Her dedication to service extends to the use of her precious vacation time, where she often selflessly chooses to engage in activities that benefit others rather than pursuing personal leisure.” Her colleagues recognized that her “actions inspire them and create a culture of empathy and social responsibility within our organization.” Leann puts others before herself and inspires each of us to do good.
Nancy Parlin Hospice Volunteer of the Year Award – Deacon Thomas Weiss, Adoray Hospice and Veteran Volunteer is the recipient of the 2023 Nancy Parlin Hospice Volunteer Award. Nancy Parlin is remembered as a dedicated supporter of Adoray, serving patients and families with compassion and kindness at the end of their earthly journeys, as well as lending her strength as a leader and member of the Adoray Board of Directors. Adoray is honored to present this recognition in her memory to Deacon Thomas Weiss for embodying her selfless passion for lifting others up. Deacon Tom has served Adoray as a Veteran Volunteer since 2017. During the past two years, he has participated in numerous pinning ceremonies for local Veterans on our Hospice service, as well as providing spiritual insights as a Deacon. He represented Adoray in a national broadcast with the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovations for a Memorial Day Vet-to-Vet Cafe. We are proud to recognize his commitment and service to our patients and our Country with this award.
Barb Hess Treasures Volunteer of the Year Award – Sheryl Naber, Adoray River Falls Treasures from the Heart Volunteer is the recipient of the Barb Hess Treasures Volunteer of the Year. Barb Hess was one of those individuals who through her good deeds and work brought true meaning to “The Why” all of us do what we do for Adoray. Barb had a true servant’s heart. She never judged, she never wavered in seeing the good in folks, she simply showed up and asked, “how can I help YOU today?”
Barb volunteered in the Adoray office. She was a patient volunteer and volunteered at the Baldwin and River Falls Treasures from the Heart stores. It is an honor to present this recognition in her memory to Sheryl who embodies her aspiration to help Adoray and our patients. Sheryl is very friendly to everyone, willing to help anyone, and is a great asset to our treasures store. She is eager to finish tasks and seeks out tasks and can be relied upon to be proactive asking, what can I do next? Volunteers and customers enjoy her friendly and helpful demeanor. We can rely on her to get the job completed without hesitation and with a smile on her face. It is a true honor to recognize her dedication to Adoray and compassion for all with this award.
We are grateful to recognize these four individuals and the creation of these awards to honor the legacy and impact of Adoray in our community. These awards will help us remember and celebrate the values and vision of Adoray in our daily work and for years to come.
Adoray Home Health and Hospice was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization that provides home health, hospice, palliative care, and supportive services in St. Croix, Pierce, Polk, Barron, and Dunn Counties. Adoray’s vision is “Partnering to Improve the Quality of Life Throughout Your Healthcare Journey Wherever You Call Home.” Learn more about Adoray at adoray.org.
