RHA Howell President Wins Triangle Business Journal 2014 “Health Care Hero Award”
Sam Hedrick is honored for “improving the care in health care.”
March 25, 2014 (Raleigh, NC) — RHA Howell, Inc., is pleased to announce that the organization’s president, Sam K. Hedrick, received a Triangle Business Journal (TBJ) Health Care Hero Award during a special ceremony held at the Raleigh Marriott City Center on March 20.
RHA Howell is a statewide, non-profit organization that has been providing support and services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for more than 35 years. Hedrick, an attorney and a registered nurse, served as chief operating officer and associate counsel for RHA Howell from 2003 until 2007, when she was named president.
According to TBJ, “This year’s finalists were chosen from a copious batch of nominees
Sam K. Hedrick, President, RHA Howell, Inc.
that the judges combed through, ” including physicians and physician groups, non-physician medical professionals, researchers and health care innovators, nurses, dentists, volunteers, veterinarians, hospitals, and health care managers.
“What this award says to me is that organizations that specifically serve people with disabilities and their families are finally being recognized as part of the health care industry,” Hedrick said. “I am extremely honored and extremely grateful.”
Hedrick received her Health Care Hero Award in the Support Services Executive/Organization category, which honors a specific individual or an organization for their role in “improving the care in health care.”
Hedrick’s accomplishments since she became president of RHA Howell include:
1) She expanded RHA Howell’s long-term care medical expertise into in-home care and case management for adults and children living with complex needs.
2) She spearheaded the WIN (Workforce Investment Network) program, which invests in the education of employees who demonstrate a passion for the work that we do. Through WIN, over 600 employees advanced their careers, received high school diplomas, college, and post-graduate degrees.
3) She created the RESPECT program, which rewards employees for work that advances our strategic goals.
4) She launched the STEP (Safety Through Employee Participation) program that makes safety fun, reduces injuries, and resulted in $600,000 in savings in the first year.
Leah Devlin, a professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, introduced Hedrick’s award by first noting her favorite quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see.”
For more information on RHA Howell, visit www.rhahowell.org.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )A Bridges Story: JC’s New Ride
Jonathan L., known as JC to family and friends, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at a young age.His parents, Sandra and Eric, knew their boy was in for a fight, but they planned to do whatever they could to make JC’s life as happy and normal as any other kid’s.What they didn’t expect was that they, too, would experience many physical difficulties along the way.
JC’s rapid growth had recently become a huge obstacle for the family.In order to transport their son anywhere in their vehicle, both parents had to lift him from his wheelchair and into their large SUV, both coming and going, at every stop.It had become so physically taxing that the family began limiting their outings.
Last year, JC’s former RHA Howell CAP/C case manager submitted a plan of care revision for a vehicle modification request. However, the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) denied their request because of the age of their vehicle.
Disheartened but not discouraged, his parents vowed to find a way.After saving enough money for a newer used vehicle – a minivan – Sandra approached RHA Howell‘s Christy Fitzgerald about trying again. As JC’s new CAP/C case manager, Christy had become well aware of the serious difficulties the family was experiencing. The thought of him being limited to only home and school was unacceptable.
So, with renewed vigor, Sandra and Christy gathered every piece of vehicle documentation they could think of, including the required documents, but also anything they felt might assist DMA in making a decision to approve the modification.
Sandra and JC with his new “ride.”
Mr. Warren shared the joy the family expressed when he demonstrated the equipment to them. “I know I do this for a living,” Mr. Warren said, “but I do it for another, more important reason. That reason was clear to me when JC, with a great big smile on his face, said, ‘Now my Mom and I can go wherever we want, even if Dad is not home!’”
Mr. Warren expressed his appreciation for being given the opportunity to help the family in this very tangible way.
When she arrived at the client’s home, Christy saw that JC was already seated in the family van. “We’re headed to the library,” his mother said. “We cried when we put him in this morning. It’s like a new life for JC. Thank you all for working so hard to obtain this for us. We are so grateful!”
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