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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2022)
EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 19 , 2022 Home health staff recognized at state awards 4-H members honored color to match the patient’s and hospice engaged with personality. Although she the community through with Becky Smith is busy she is often caught special events like a butter- sharing a joke, snack or fly release and Lanterns on Memorial Award funny story. She is also the Lake. MCHD Home Health and Hospice staff members were recently recognized at a state-wide award ceremony. L-R: Katilyn Zinter, Home Health Aide of the Year; Molly Rhea, recipient of the Hope Runnels Award; Jacqueline Alleman, Volunteer of the Year; and Jerry Conklin, Chaplain of the Year. -Photo by Kirsten Espinola Four staff members from M o r r ow Count y Health District’s Home Health and Hospice pro- gram were honored recently at the OAHC Oregon As- sociation for Home Care (OAHC) annual award cer- emony in Newport, OR. Award winners were Molly Rhea, who received the Hope Runnels Award, Kat- ilyn Zinter, Home Health Aide of the Year; Jacqueline Alleman, Volunteer of the Year; and Jerry Conklin, Chaplain of the Year. Awards are given to home health employees who demonstrate outstand- ing service in either direct or supportive services to home care patients. Hospice chaplain Jerry Conklin received the 2022 Chaplain of the Year award. He was nominated for the award because of his ex- cellence in patient care, teamwork and dedication. His nomination pointed to activities above and beyond the normal scope of his 10-hour-per-week chaplain position. “When his wife was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, he retired and they moved to our rural area close to their daugh- ter,” his nomination stat- ed. “Knowing the real-life stress of caring for his wife, he brings solid credibility as he communes with the fam- ilies of his hospice patients and validates their plan.” Conklin has worked not only to walk with fam- ilies in the midst of home care, but also to provide follow-up grief counseling. He stays in contact with families and writes notes of encouragement regularly. He is described as always being ready to dress up in a costume, be part of a team activity, or give a hearty “’atta boy.” Katilyn Zinter received the 2022 Home Health Aide of the Year award. She is described as “an old softy.” She lobbied long and hard for a blanket warmer for her car so she could heat blankets for her patients, and she personally crocheted eight blankets for hospice patients last Christmas, choosing each described as “tough” and “knowledgeable.” “She knows how im- portant it is that our care- givers have complete infor- mation, so she teaches them how they can care for their loved ones,” one nomina- tion stated. “Her primary concern is for caregivers to have the strength to con- tinue to help throughout the length of the illness.” Katilyn also fills in at the hospital on her days off, is a member of the Heppner Volunteer Fire Department and coaches the junior high girls’ softball team. Volunteer of the Year award for 2022 went to Jacqueline Alleman, known to most as “Jackie.” She has served as the MCHD Home health and Hospice volunteer coordinator since January of 2020. During COVID-19, she assumed the duties of visiting hos- pice patients herself on a weekly basis. “Jackie is an amazing example of a self-less lead- er, from making sure each staff member is remem- bered on their birthday with a card and a potluck; she has taken it upon herself to make sure the garbage gets out on the appropriate day and the office kitchenette is tidy,” her nomination stated. She has also designed and built parade floats for the health district and has worked to keep home health The Hope Runnels Award is given to “an in- dividual in a management role who demonstrates out- standing leadership, service and achievement as a pio- neer in furthering the scope of home health services in Oregon.” According to those who nominated Molly Rhea, she exhibits those qualities and more. “Molly has been a nurse in this area for a long time. Many older folks in town call her first if they have a problem. She makes them feel that they are human beings of great worth,” one said. “Her work doesn’t stop at the door; she is al- ways giving.” Those who work with her say that Rhea’s individ- ualized care for the patient and family is what has made her the example to follow; when the work she does would burn out many, a large sign on her bulle- tin board reads, “Finish Strong.” At the same time, they say, she helps team members see their own talents and how they fit into the team at home health and hospice. “She can move from attending department head meetings and solving in- surmountable problems in health care to donning a paint brush to help us paint the latest hospice fundrais- er. She is indeed our trea- sured example to follow.” Pictured L-R: Morrow County 4-H members honored with the Becky Smith Memorial Award are Gage Heideman (Junior, Ione), Landon Szasz (Intermediate, Boardman), Arianna Worden (Senior, Heppner), Pat Smith (sponsor), Callahan Baker (Beginner, Heppner). -Contributed photo Morrow County 4-H held its annual achievement night at the Sage Center on Sunday, Oct. 16. One of the most coveted awards given is the Becky Smith Memorial Award. For 30 years, Karl and Pat Smith have spon- sored recognition of 4-H members with this award in honor of their daughter, Becky, who passed away in a car accident in 1989. Becky was a dedicated 4-H sheep showman and had an enthusiasm for her project unmatched by most. The 2022 recipients, receiving a buckle, are: beginner, Callahan Baker from Heppner; junior, Gage Heideman from Ione; inter- mediate, Landon Szasz from Boardman and senior, Arian- na Worden from Heppner. The recognition goes to a beginner, junior, interme- diate and senior 4-H member who go above and beyond their regular responsibilities at the county fair in the live- stock barns. Members do not have to place highest in their class, but have the enthusi- asm and willingness to help others; traits that embodied Becky. The recipients are nominated by county 4-H leaders and volunteers and are voted upon by the Lead- ers Association, 4-H Agent and award sponsor. MCSD to hold special meeting Morrow County School District will hold a special meeting on Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. at the north district office/ Congratulations! Morrow Education Center in Irrigon. The purpose of the meeting is OSBA Training – Board/Superintendent Transi- tion Program. Ione-Arlington Volleyball!! Good Luck at Districts in The Dalles Saturday 10/22 Back Row L-R: Jolene Serrano, Leilani Weiser, Sunem Calvillo, Calli Troutman, Victoria De La Torre, LeeLynn Vandever. Front Row L-R: Analisa Vakdez, Madison Orem, Kelly Doherty, Naijiah Knight, Noelia Ramirez. Not Pictured: Lizzy Doherty, Coach Dawn Eynetich, Asst. Coach Ethan Weiser, Asst. Coach Jill Martin. Ione Booster Club & Supporters Allen & Nancy Anderson Allstott Construction Bank of Eastern OR Betty Gray Blown Away Ranch Columbia Basin Electric Dale & Karen Holland Dan & Sandi Richardson Dances with Mules Darrin Padberg Dean & Florene Robinson Devin Oil Company Dick & Jannie Allen Dickenson Chiropractic Family Health Associates Fourth Street Family Dental Gar Aviation IRT, LLC Jim & Monica Swanson Joe & Donna Rietmann Joe & Linda Halvorsen Joel Peterson & Lea Keith & Judy Rea Kip & Sarah Krebs Les Schwab Tires Lexington Pump Loren & Della Heideman Marvin & Tanna Padberg Mid Columbia Producers Morrow County Grain Growers Morrow County Health District Murray's Drug Neiffer Ranch Northwest Farm Credit Perk & Brews Peterson's Jewelry Tacos Hometown Tom & Arlynda Gates Virgil & Debbie Morgan Wayne Hams Wheatland Insurance