WS Chronicle

Senior Services employee Mina Fernanders received the Hearts Award on May 16 at the Third Annual CNA Challenges and Rewards Conference, which was sponsored by the Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC).

Fernanders, who has been a certified nursing assistant with the Home Care program of Senior Services since 2007, was nominated by a family member of a senior for whom she had provided care, and by the Senior Services Home Care staff.

In nominating Fernanders, Senior Services described her as a “wonderful and caring person” who is constantly thinking of ways to improve the quality of life of those for whom she provides care.  She was also described by the Home Care staff as someone “who goes the extra mile to make sure our clients have excellent care.”

The individual who nominated Fernanders noted, “I realize that a lot of other caregivers have done the things Mina did . . ., but I soon learned that all she did was with a sense of calling.  It was what she enjoyed and wanted to do above all else with her life and talents.”  In addition, he cited her “integrity, trustworthiness and good common sense.”
The Hearts Award is presented by Northwest AHEC to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding support and compassion to others.

The Home Care program of Senior Services employs certified nursing assistants, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals to assist the frail elderly in the home setting.  It is one of seven programs under the umbrella of Senior Services, Inc., a charitable nonprofit organization, located in Winston-Salem. The other programs administered by Senior Services are the Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center, Meals-on-Wheels, Living-at-Home, Help Line, Senior Lunch and Elder Care Choices.