caption:
Employee of Year
John Beausoleil, left, was named the Westview 2017 Employee of the Year. Administrator David Panteleakos is at right. Courtesy photo.
DAYVILLE — John Beausoleil, PTA of Woodstock was named Westview’s Employee of the Year for 2017 by the Westview Health Care Center Employee of the Year Nomination Committee.
Beausoleil joined the Westview team on June 18, 2007 and works full time as a physical therapy assistant. The announcement of his award was made by Westview Administrator David T. Panteleakos. In an effort to recognize outstanding employees, Westview implemented the Employee of the Year award in 2008 to enhance their established Employee of the Month program, which rewards outstanding employees who demonstrate dedication, outstanding work ethic and a positive attitude that is reflected in their day-to-day work.
“John is an amazing therapist and an overall great person to work with patients,” said David T. Panteleakos, administrator. “He completely understands the nexus between providing the best in quality of care and making his patients feel comfortable. His work record is amazing as well. He has achieved perfect attendance in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
John also achieved Employee of The Month awards in February 2008 and April 2016; and he has received several written commendations from patients and over 24 WOW Cards over the years. John Beausoleil is more than deserving of the Employee of the Year distinction.”
Beausoleil graduated in 2002 from Becker College and began his career as a physical therapy assistant in 2003. “John is the personality and heart of the Sports Medicine Department here at Westview,” said Alexis Williams, RPT, director of Sports Medicine. “His passion and enthusiasm towards helping others makes him a leader and an example for all others to follow.”
Beausoleil grew up in the Quiet Corner and lives in Woodstock with his daughters Alyvia, Alexis and Amy; and his partner Roymane. “I am very proud to be selected for this award and I would like to share this acknowledgment with all of my amazing colleagues.”
Staff goes
above,
beyond for
patient
PUTNAM — Healthcare is not only about ensuring health, but providing care for the whole person. That ideal was on display during last week’s severe winter storm at Day Kimball Hospital as well as in homes across the region where Day Kimball Healthcare at Home providers continued to care for patients. Two staff members even braved a lengthy car ride in the dangerous conditions in order to ensure a hospice patient had the medical equipment necessary for a plane flight out of state to visit his family the next day.
“This morning we received a call from one of our hospice patients to report that the oxygen equipment scheduled for delivery from a local vendor yesterday had not been received, and without it, boarding a plane at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning for an out of state visit with family would not be possible,” said Day Kimball Healthcare at Home Executive Director Renee Smith.
Smith said when Day Kimball Healthcare at Home staff contacted the vendor on behalf of the patient immediately after receiving the call, they learned that the vendor’s local store was closed, and that the only open location in Willimantic would not deliver because of the hazardous weather conditions.
His providers at Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut (part of Day Kimball Healthcare at Home), Hospice Program Manager Erica Alexander, RN, BSN, CHPN and Home Health Clinical Manager Terri Ducharme, RN, took it upon themselves to make sure that the necessary oxygen equipment was obtained and delivered.
“Without hesitation, Erica and Terri hopped into one of their four-wheel drive vehicles and drove to the supplier, located about 25 miles from Putnam, to pick up the oxygen equipment and deliver it to the patient,” Smith said.
Day Kimball Healthcare President and CEO Anne Diamond praised the efforts of all DKH staff who are going above and beyond to care for patients under difficult conditions.
Academy
beats
undefeated
hockey team
Jake Black had the hat trick to lead The Woodstock Academy Centaurs boys’ hockey team to a 5-4 win over the previously undefeated Eastern Connecticut Eagles Jan. 6 at the Jahn Ice Rink at the Pomfret School.
“It was a good win for us, and a big plus that it came in a conference game,” said coach Mike Starr.
Jake Black had the hat trick including the game-winning goal off a shot assisted by both Matt Odom and Liam McDermott.
Black scored the second goal of the game for the Centaurs, who scored their first victory of the season in three games, with help from Avery Riva and Aiden Boisvert.
Riva assisted Black, who has six goals this season, on the third goal of the game for the Centaurs.
Connor Starr opened the scoring for the Centaurs off an assist from Pat Delaney.
Odom added the other goal for The Academy while Dylan Shea picked up the win in net.
The Centaurs have never lost to the Eagles (4-1), going 9-0 against them in the last five years.
“Eastern is a good team and to get a win at home against an undefeated team can be a big boost for us,” Starr said. “We are in a strange spot where we only played two games coming in (to Saturday) where other teams have played seven or eight. We are still learning to play together and are getting used to one another.”
Girls’ hockey wins second
Emma Ciquera finished with the hat trick to lead The Woodstock Academy girls’ hockey team to a 6-3 victory over St. Paul’s School Jan. 6.
The win made the ride worth it as the Centaurs had to travel to Concord, N.H., to play the game.
St. Paul’s took a 2-0 lead before the Centaurs could even get their legs underneath them in the first period.
But The Academy rallied behind Ciquera and Ellie Jellison in the second period.
Bridget Horst broke the ice with a goal to cut St. Paul’s lead in half.
Jellison tied the game with a goal which was followed by two from Ciquera and another by Jellison to send the Centaurs into the locker room with a 5-2 advantage.
St. Paul’s did close within a pair of goals early in the third period, but Ciquera sealed the win for the Centaurs (2-2) with her third goal of the game and fifth of the season.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
Elks Hoop
set for Dec. 16
PUTNAM — The Elks Hoop Shoot will be held at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Putnam Middle School gym.
Funded by the Elks National Foundation, the Hoop Shoot is a free throw contest for boys and girls ages 8 to 13. Contestants’ age-groups are determined by their ages as of April 1, 2018.
This year’s contest will be hosted by the Putnam Lodge (574). Please call the Putnam Recreation Department for any questions: 860-963-6811.