Awards

2007

2008

2008

September 19, 2008
Social Worker Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
JoAnn Pisel, LCSW, was honored with the 2008 National Association of Social Workers Lifetime Achievement Award at the Illinois chapter symposium. Her fellow social workers, who recognized her life's work responding to those in crisis nominated Pisel for the award.

Pisel spent 27 years with Call for Help Inc., a crisis intervention agency in Illinois. Under her leadership as executive director, a centralized referral service was developed in 1978 to refer callers to emergency food pantries, financial assistance, shelter and other resources. Her subsequent successes include establishing:

• a shelter and counseling for victims of domestic violence, which became the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois
• a sexual assault victims care unit
• an adult residential program for mentally ill adults
• a youth and teen runaway hotline
• a youth emergency shelter
• a parent hotline
• transitional housing for homeless women and their children

After retiring in 2000, Pisel brought her social worker's skills to BJC Home Care Services in Alton. "JoAnn is a truly remarkable employee," says Diane Straub, Alton branch manager. "She has the ability to get resources for the many needs the patients have. She has more contacts to get help than anyone I know!"

2007

Castellano receives Leadership Award from Missouri Alliance for Home Care
Ruth Castellano, vice president of BJC Home Care Services, received the 2007 Leadership Award from Missouri Alliance for Home Care. The award recognizes special service to the home care industry in the areas of education, research, improvement of patient care and those who have contributed notably toward the advancement of the home care industry in Missouri. Recipients demonstrate outstanding personal and professional leadership qualities.

Castellano's nomination described her qualities and accomplishments. "Like all gifted leaders, she leads by example. Her spirit and passion for her work are contagious. She still finds time to go out on patient visits, so she never forgets why we do what we do."
 
Missouri Alliance for Home Care supports, promotes and advocates for the home care industry as an integral component of the health care continuum.

Employee Receives 2007 Professional Caregiver Award
Linda Kollmeyer, LPN, received the Professional Caregiver Award by the Missouri Council for In-Home Services. Kollmeyer has been an employee since 1990, with six of those years with BJC In-Home Services in Parkland.

Working with St. Joe Lead Company, Kollmeyer screened area children for high lead levels in their blood. She also educated parents on the dangers of lead poisoning. After the program ended, she began patient visits, seeing patients weekly to monitor their needs and set up medications.
 
Missouri Council for In-Home Services is an organization for those who provide in-home health care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. These services include personal care, housekeeping, respite care, nursing visits, advanced personal care, chore services, personal care and companion services, and assistance with errands.