Raleigh, NC, November 14, 2014 – Over two hundred honored guests gathered at Raleigh’s Museum of Natural Sciences on Saturday, November 8th to celebrate the first ever NC Triangle Home Health and Hospice Awards.

The NC Triangle Home Health and Hospice Awards honor outstanding caregivers – nurses, certified nursing assistants, physicians, clinicians, therapists, home companions, volunteers and other industry leaders – who are champions of home-based and hospice care.

The following awards were presented at this year’s gala reception:

The Leadership Excellence Award, recognizing an outstanding mentor to co-workers, advocates for their patients, and participants in their organization’s quality improvement process, was presented to Ms. Nikki Ferrell of Heartland Hospice.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing seasoned professionals who have spent a lifetime contributing to their field of work and their communities, was presented to Dr. Alan Kronhaus, founder of Doctors Making Housecalls.

A special Volunteer Caregiver of the Year Award, recognizing a non-paid caregiver who embodies the spirit of home health care through their commitment to providing comfort, respect and dignity to someone unable to meet their own care needs, was presented to Ms. Nancy Wyman, for her volunteerism commitment to Duke Hospice.

The Medical Practice of the Year Award, highlighting a medical practice recognized by our area’s healthcare network as a strong supporter or innovator in home and/or hospice care was presented to Dr. Martin Janis and the staff of Raleigh Geriatrics, PA.

The award program was initiated by the Founding Sponsor, Well Care Home Health, as a means to bring the industry together in celebration of National Home Care & Hospice Month each November.

“Home health and hospice care professionals provide vital services to patients and families of the Triangle area every day,” said Wanda Coley, chief operating officer for Well Care Home Health. “It’s important that we put a public spotlight on this important niche of the medical community and take a moment to thank those individuals who’ve dedicated their time to improving so many people’s lives.”

Sponsors of this year’s inaugural awards program and reception include a variety of businesses that are strong supporters of the home care and hospice industry: Enterprise Fleet Management, McKesson, Association for Home & Hospice Care of NC, Seniors Guide, Cintas, Sakisaki Marketing, Transitions LifeCare, First Citizens Bank, Pinnacle Business Services, BB&T Insurance Services, and DazTech Promotions.

About the NC Triangle Home Health and Hospice Awards

Established as an annual celebration of National Home Health and Hospice Month, the annual NC Triangle Home Health and Hospice Awards honors local champions of caregiving for their important contributions providing quality services and enhancing the lives of patients and their families.