The Incredible Staff Who Make a Difference
Let’s take a moment to celebrate all the managers, support staff, and nursing team who were nominated!
Managers Nominated:
Thekeisha Thomas - Foss House
"Thekeisha, the Foss House manager, goes above and beyond. Keisha is a big help to the house and overall, a nice boss who doesn't just throw you into the job. She takes time to help out in any way she can with staff and the residents. She is the house leader who we know we can ask anything and depend on to help throughout any matter. Anything Keisha can do to help you she will or she will help you find someone who will assist. She made me comfortable in an uncomfortable house change and welcomed me to the staff. Anything asked of her, she is there to assist."
You can read all of Thekeisha's nominations here.
Heidi Phillips - Ludden House
"I would like to nominate Heidi Phillips. She is the Program Manager at Ludden House. She has been with Phoenix almost 10 Years. She consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to both staff and the individuals in our care. Her efforts to make everyone feel valued go above and beyond expectations. For example, she arranged special transportation so our residents could spend Thanksgiving with their families, and she thoughtfully decorates for every holiday to create a welcoming, safe, and festive environment. In addition, she frequently brings in treats to brighten our days, further contributing to a positive and supportive workplace culture."
You can read all of Heidi's nominations here.
Amanda Simington - Centerville House
"Amanda is a Program Supervisor in the company and has been with Phoenix for several years. No matter what Amanda has going on, she's always ready to jump in and help, whether it's the house she's currently working in or with Howard after moving her management. She worked incredibly hard to improve things at Howard and has continued to help make sure that the transition there to new management would go smoothly. During that transition and beyond, she continues to check in and make sure that we are in a position to succeed and asks frequently if we need anything. We appreciate her and all of the help she has given us! She has kept everyone at Howard in her heart and checks in to make sure that the residents are all doing well. Amanda wants the best for them, and the residents at Centerville."
You can read all of Amanda's nominations here.
Tanazia Morehead - Clinton House
"Tanazia is a manager for Clinton House. I am unaware of how long she has been here. We would like to highlight the significant growth that Tanazia has shown in this position. Kim P stated, 'During my audits for Clinton House, I observed her meticulous compliance with all documentation requirements.' Kim G stated, 'the increase in the outings has been really impressive.' Since multiple staff do not drive, this takes a lot of planning and coordination. She knows their medical needs and communicates them well. She represents the folks with Bluestone well and professionally. She communicates changes to the nursing team and follows through with orders. Tanazia focuses on what her folks want. One of her ladies needed a new winter coat. This person enjoys online shopping and packages arriving for her. Tanazia sat at the computer with her trying to find a coat that she likes. They would pick one out and Tanazia would tell her how much it costs. This individual rejected several of the coats due to the price. The individual did not want to spend that much money. Tanazia could have ordered the coat or asked her what color and went and got one herself, but she did not. She sat down with her several times, and they searched and discussed until they found one that was big enough to keep her warm, but at a price that she was willing to spend. What could have been a 15-minute online order became a long process because Tanazia listened to the individual and made sure that their opinion was respected."
You can read all of Tanazia's nominations here.
Marcus Taylor - Lydia House
"Marcus is a Program Supervisor at Lydia House. I think Marcus would be a great nominee because he is very seasoned in his job. Even though he has had his struggles like everyone else, he is very focused on making sure that the people he takes care of gets everything that they ask for and more. He makes sure that they get out every week; he does have many staff that drive, but he will take care of it himself. He makes sure that everyone gets the things that they need. When they go out to eat, he will take them to the party or outing. The individuals love to be out at the mall and meeting people daily."
You can read all of Marcus' nominations here.
Angelica McCoy - Carver House
"Angel has been a supervisor at Carver House since August of last year. Even before her position change, she was a great DSP. Angel is a manger by herself here and makes sure things are done. She has great communication, even if not on call; her dedication to this job is unmatched. "
You can read all of Angelica's nominations here.
Support Staff & Nursing Team Nominated
Shawn Johnson- Maintenance Department
"I am pleased to nominate Shawn Johnson from the Maintenance Department for the 2025 award. He has worked for Phoenix Residence for over 20 years now. Shawn consistently exceeds his duties with a positive attitude, making him a valued team member and a cheerful presence at work. His professionalism and kindness are evident. Program supervisors truly appreciate his work. He responds quickly when asked to repair items on site, and he has cleaned garages for us, keeping them presentable and less cluttered. Beyond his technical skills, he is a role model with a kind heart, whose dedication and upbeat spirit greatly enhance our facility’s environment and operations. I firmly believe Shawn deserves this recognition. Shawn prioritizes individuals' needs and comfort by making sure that all repairs onsite are completed in a timely fashion. Shawn has demonstrated his proactive maintenance role by ensuring that failed parts at the houses are put to good use, fixing wheelchairs, beds, walls, and floors. This has saved a lot of money in the houses. He works well with the rest of the employees, and supervisors do complement him a lot about his positive approach. He has demonstrated respect and kindness to every employee. Shawn takes his time to ask supervisors if there is anything else that needs to be fixed, not just working on the work orders, but he goes above and beyond. He has demonstrated a positive example through his strong work ethic. He not only waits for work orders to be presented, but he also jumps in and helps wherever is needed."
You can read all of Shawn's nominations here.
Shawna Zechmeister - Assistant Program Director
"I am writing to formally recognize Shawna Zechmeister for her exceptional dedication, leadership, and compassion in her role at Ludden House. Shawna consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to both her team and the individuals we serve, setting a standard of excellence that inspires everyone around her. Shawna approaches staff training with positivity and patience, ensuring that every team member feels supported and confident in their role. Her willingness to step in during challenging situations—whether covering open hours or even taking on night shifts when no other options are available—speaks volumes about her reliability and selflessness. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Shawna goes above and beyond to foster a safe and caring environment. She provides hands-on guidance when tasks seem overwhelming, and her genuine concern for staffs’ well-being is evident in the way she checks in on those who are ill or injured, even visiting them in the hospital. These acts of kindness reflect the depth of her character and her commitment to our mission. Shawna’s leadership, empathy, and tireless dedication make her an invaluable asset to Ludden House. We are truly grateful for all she does and the positive impact she has on our team and the people we serve. Thank you, Shawna, for your extraordinary contributions and for embodying the values that make our organization thrive!"
Sarah Hansen - HR Generalist
"Sarah Hansen is the HR Generalist at Phoenix and has been employed since August of 2020. Sarah completes all initial interviews with applicants and provides HR-related orientation to new employees. Sarah is the type of person who just digs in and does her job. We have filled so many positions this year, to the point where we need to tell current employees to add open hours to their existing positions or there won't be any hours left! "
You can read all of Sarah's nominations here.
Nicholas LeBrun - Appointment Coordinator
"Nick is an Appointment Coordinator for Phoenix and has been for a couple of years. Within his role as an Appointment Coordinator, Nick's priority is to know the individuals he is advocating for. He takes time to spend time with each of them, even outside of those appointments, so that he can get to know them and the things they are facing. Not only does this give him a better idea of how to advocate for them, but it helps them to be more comfortable with him when he does take them to appointments."
You can read all of Nick's nominations here.