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 2019 Trish Martindell Award.

The History of the Martindell Award

The Martindell Award is named for the late ERS Board Chair Patricia “Trish” Martindell, who established it as a legacy to her father, John Wahlberg. Mr. Wahlberg had resided at Deupree Health Center (now Deupree Cottages) in Hyde Park.

It’s a special, annual honor (including a $1,000 stipend) given to a deserving, non-management ERS team member who exemplifies excellence in caregiving and who strives to care for our residents in special and meaningful ways.

Trish was originally inspired to create the award by witnessing her father’s caregivers’ devotion to service. 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.

Trish Martindell’s Legacy

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 — from our board membership, to our team members and to our 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.

Last year’s Martindell Award went to two deserving team members — Bonnie Green, Resident Assistant at Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood, and Rosy Ngoie-Nzeba, Certified Medical Aid (CMT) at Episcopal Church Home in Louisville (see above).

The nominations are a testimony to the kind of difference the ERS staff can make in the life of a resident. It is a great honor to receive that level of gratitude from someone they help. That feeling — of personal ownership and responsibility to our residents, and of the joy experienced while serving them — centers staff and keeps them focused on the ERS mission. The $1,000 check and award are personally presented to the winner(s) by Trish Martindell’s husband, Jack, and her step-daughter Kim, who have remained involved with the award selection committee.

Tell Us Who Should Win the 2019 Martindell Award

We love to hear how ERS staff members have made a positive difference in residents’ and families’ lives. Please consider taking a moment to recognize the people who have provided you and your family truly excellent care. Fill out your nomination form here.

You can submit as multiple individual recognitions. Nominations for the 2019 Martindell Award will remain open through the September 14. The winner will be announced in the late fall. Check back here or on social media to read about the winners. It might be the staff member you nominate!