Every year, Episcopal Retirement Services honors non-management team members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to exemplify excellence in caregiving and who strives to care for our residents in special and meaningful ways with the Martindell Award.
The ERS Martindell Award was established by the late Patricia “Trish” Martindell. Her inspiration for the award came to her when her father John Wahlberg’s resided at Deupree Health Center (now Deupree Cottages) in Hyde Park.
The compassion and skill with which ERS team members cared for her father made a lasting impression on Trish. She joined the ERS Board in 2001, after serving as chair of Deupree Health Center’s family council during her father’s residency. She then served as the chair of the ERS Board from 2010 to 2011. In addition to her hard work and thoughtful leadership here, Trish served for 21 years as a volunteer and board member for the Ohio Valley chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Sadly, Trish passed away unexpectedly in August of 2016. Her passing was a tremendous loss not only for her loved ones but also for everyone in the ERS family, including our board membership, team members, and residents. The award that bears her name lives on as a tribute to the values that she held and that we share—namely, that seniors and their families have a right to person-centered, dignified care. We’re honored to bestow it on a deserving ERS staff member each year and, in doing so, to continue sharing Trish’s story and vision.
This year, ERS received over 150 nominations. Trish Martindell’s husband Jack and her stepdaughter Kim carefully studied each one and chose two winners for 2019: Sheila Isbel at Canterbury Court in West Carrollton, OH, and Lori Kelly at Deupree House in Cincinnati, OH.
The Martindell family presented the award to Sheila and Lori last month, along with a $1,000 check. Here’s more about them.
Sheila Isbel, Housekeeper at Canterbury Court in West Carrollton, Ohio
Sheila has been with ERS for 20 years. Some of the sentiments shared in Sheila’s nominations include:
- “The world is a better place with Sheila in it. She is an inspiration to me and to everyone who meets her”
- “Sheila is a ray of sunshine! She works hard to make our home clean and beautiful.”
- “She takes really good care of each of us individually at Canterbury Court and does it every day with a smile”
- “Sheila is loyal, hard-working and puts her heart into her work. She is willing to do anything to help.”
Lori Kelly, Hostess at Deupree House in Cincinnati, Ohio
Lori has been with ERS for 24 years. Here is what those who nominated Lori had to say about her:
- "Lori represents the consistently positive, resident-centered focus that I appreciate at Deupree House. She is thoughtful, gracious, and always watches over my father with her caring eagle eye."
- "Lori can do everything! She is truly a traffic director in the dining room.”
- "We love to see Lori’s smiling face when we come down for a meal. She gets to know all of the new residents right away and helps them feel at home.”
- “When someone or a couple comes to the dining room, Lori always makes sure they are seated with friends.”
Congratulations to Sheila and Lori and thank you for all you do to put our residents first.
At Episcopal Retirement Services (ERS), our residents have experienced that special relationship with a care provider or supportive team member who went above and beyond to make them or their family members feel welcome, cared for, and honored.
It may have been a resident assistant. It may have been a housekeeper or a dining room server. It may even have been the person who asked, “How was your day?” and sat, took their time, and listened.
ERS invites you to let that special caregiver know just how much their words, actions, or gestures have meant. Please nominate an ERS staff member for the 2020 Trish Martindell Award.
