Ancora Home Health and Hospice

Caring for our community has always been at the heart of what we do, so having staff whose professional goals align with the care and services provided is important in every way. Kendra joined our social work team a little over a year ago and jumped right in to advocate for the needs of patients and families. Through active listening and meaningful connections, Kendra is able to make recommendations based on the patient’s preferences and wishes. As needs change and new challenges arise, Kendra is there every step of the way. Thank you for making a difference in our community, Kendra!

Connecting patients and families to resources that will be beneficial to their situation is a large part of what our social workers do. Through life review and assessing potential financial barriers, our team can advise on what organizations are relevant and can offer guidance through any process. As we continue our celebration of Ancora's social workers and the importance of their role, this week we are highlighting Diana! Diana has vast knowledge of the resources and needs of older Alaskans and she strives to make connections wherever possible. Diana has been with Ancora twice over the years, returning to us a year ago after she unexpectedly had to step away to care for her 98-year-old mother. By combining her years of career development with her own personal experience with caring for a loved one, Diana is a huge asset to our Ancora family. Thank you for your dedication to bettering the lives of others, Diana! ??

Friday Pi Day! ?? It added up to be a delicious day in the office. We hope you all enjoyed a special slice of your favorite treat as well!

March is social work month - a full month dedicated to recognizing the impact and contributions that social workers make in the day-to-day lives of others. Whether addressing immediate challenges or providing direction to valuable resources and supports, social workers are a true benefit to all they encounter. This month, as we celebrate the actions of our incredible team, we will be highlighting the social workers that make Ancora so special. First up: Autumn! Autumn has been with Ancora since we first opened the doors at our Anchorage location. She has been pivotal in the growth and success of that office and has been a mainstay for patients, families, and staff alike. Autumn shared that she chose her career as she wanted to help others, and we can confirm she is doing exactly that. Thank you for your constant commitment to service, Autumn! ????

It was our honor and pleasure to present Wes with his Quilt of Valor for his service in the Vietnam War. As an Airborne Engineer Officer for the US Army, Wes served in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam between 1970-1971. In total, Wes dedicated 3 years, 11 months, 10 days, and 11 hours to active duty, but has spent a lifetime positively impacting others. Wes shared that he is very proud of his service to his country, but he is most proud that while leading 250 men, he never lost one. Thank you for your service, Wes!

We love welcoming new faces to our growing team! ?? Last quarter we added people across all disciplines who were interested in making a difference while providing care to others. If you’d like to learn more about what sets us apart, or are interested in starting your career here, we have opened up more opportunities in both of our locations. Join us here! https://lnkd.in/gRmX3c_s

It's time to celebrate as we announce our 2024 Q4 Value Award Winners! ?? Nominated by their coworkers and selected based on their contributions and commitment to others, these staff have excelled not only in their roles, but in their day to day interactions. Please join us in congratulating them - they deserve all the recognition and praise!

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS ?? Forty-seven years of care and dedication to others and it is our honor that she ended her career with Ancora. Lita discovered her desire to serve when at just 13 years old she joined the Red Cross to help make blankets at her school and knew she could make a difference. Staying true to her path, she entered a nursing program in Dallas and graduated in 1977 prior to moving to Alaska in 1978. She and her husband flipped a coin to determined what their future held, and they initially found themselves in Juneau. Her career started in a hospital setting where she worked in various roles before transitioning to skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. After moving to the Valley, Lita spent most of her career working at a family practice clinic, but found herself at Ancora in 2017 following the closure of the clinic. Lita shared that she found fulfillment in every patient she was able to provide education and assistance to in helping to improve their condition. Please join us in congratulating Lita on her well-deserved retirement! We wish her the best as she soaks up time with her family, travels, and relishes in the joy of finishing all her sewing projects. Thank you for your service to others, Lita – you will be missed! ??

What an exciting way to enter the new year! Ancora has once again been named a national best practice agency by Wellsky for 2024! ?? The Award of Distinction is presented to agencies who have received the highest results related to overall satisfaction and superior performance in services and experiences provided to patients and their families. We are honored to be recognized and look forward to another year of caring for our community.

As we end one year and begin another, we reflect on the patients who graciously invited us into their homes, allowing us to help them reach their recovery and comfort goals. We remain thankful for our staff who have dedicated themselves to providing compassionate care - we are so proud of all they have accomplished. We look forward to providing another year of patient-centered care in 2025. Happy New Year! ??