Why did I want to Become an Ambassador? By: Kimberly Gardner

Below, Please see HPI Recruiter Associate’s take on why she decided to take her advocacy to the next step by becoming a Hearts for Home Care Ambassador.

Pictured: Disability rights advocate Mark Steidl (center) joins the Pennsylvania Homecare Association's Advocacy Day in Harrisburg to tell legislators about what home care means to him. He is pictured here with BAYADA Home Health Care Associate Kimberly Gardner (left) and CEO David Baiada (right).
BAYADA Home Health Care Associate and Hearts for Home Care Ambassador Kimberly Gardner (left) and CEO David Baiada (right) at the Pennsylvania Home Care Association’s Advocacy Day in Harrisburg with Kim’s client and disability rights advocate Mark Steidl (center).

 

“I wanted to become a Hearts for Home Care Ambassador so that I can advocate for families so that they in turn can enjoy peace and comfort in their home, and so they can hopefully live as normal of a life as possible.

I have worked in the health care field for over 12 years, and specifically as a Certified Nursing Assistance within hospice for seven years. I was able to see first hand while working with my clients in the nursing home the importance of caring for clients in general. The clients all had one thing in common: “They wanted to go home.” There is a lot of turnover in health care, and it was sad to see when some of the residents were not getting the proper care they should have been getting.  I can say it was hard to watch at certain times.

It wasn’t until I started working for BAYADA Home Health Care that I was able to experience so much more opportunity to impact clients’ lives on a daily basis, particularly through advocacy. Working at BAYADA has opened up my eyes to lawmakers’ roles in home health care, and the importance of employees advocating for their clients. We are their voice and we must stand up for them!

I enjoy talking to legislators and pushing for home care in all ways possible. It is an experience that I not only appreciate, but truly enjoy doing.  I attended my first Advocacy Day in May of 2018 and it wonderful experience. It was great to see how everyone came together for the same cause. I appreciate all of the support from our Government Affairs Office (GAO) and I look forward to continuing to advocate for our clients with BAYADA.”

Kimberly Gardner

Recruiter Associate- HPI Office

If you’d like more information about becoming a Hearts for Home Care Ambassador, contact Mike Sokoloski today.

The Carolinas Foundation for Hospice & Home Care Donations and Application for Hurricane Helene Relief