2023 Heroes of the Year
About the program
Launched in the third quarter of 1999 and inspired by our Heroes on the Home Front television campaign, the BAYADA Hero Program is one of many programs devoted to recognizing and rewarding those employees who maintain the highest standards of safety and care in home health services. The program was established to recognize our home health care professionals who consistently demonstrate the core values of The BAYADA Way. Their work epitomizes our mission of helping people have a safe home life with comfort, independence, and dignity by providing the highest quality home health care services available.
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RICH MAGNUSON, BAYADA 2023 RN NATIONAL HERO OF THE YEAR “Rich really puts an emphasis on not maybe what a client can’t do, but figuring out what they can do.” – Ann Jackson, BAYADA Clinical Manager Rich Magnuson, RN, is more than just a home health care nurse to his clients. He’s a friend who empowers and comforts, using shared experiences to build confidence and form lasting memories. His empathic nature allows him to connect with people in a way few can, seeing possibilities where others see limitations. Rich was chosen as BAYADA’s 2023 RN National Hero of the Year for his compassion and commitment to helping people live fully by enjoying life’s simple pleasures. |
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EUGENIA VANBOVEN, BAYADA 2023 LPN NATIONAL HERO OF THE YEAR “Eugenia is one of the most compassionate and hard-working nurses I’ve had the pleasure to work with. Her pleasant, gentle, positive demeanor lights up any room. Every client, family member, and school staff member I communicate with truly adores her.” — Amy Recker, Clinical Manager Eugenia VanBoven is a highly skilled pediatric nurse who exudes a genuine concern for others and even donates her paid time off to help colleagues she never met. Parents and family members say “Ms. Genie” is angelic and extraordinary in every way, and they trust her completely to keep their child safe and fulfilled at home, school, or camp. Eugenia was named BAYADA LPN National Hero of the Year because her compassion, excellence, and reliability are unsurpassed. Her bright smile, calming presence, and “truly special and immense positive impact” make life better for countless children and families living with serious illness or disability. |
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ERIN WARD, BAYADA 2023 ST NATIONAL HERO OF THE YEAR “Some therapists have a tendency, because you’re a certain age, they talk down to you. Erin never did that. From that moment on, we were friends, and then she was like family. And I wouldn’t be as far as I am now if it wasn’t for her.” — Mary Moran, BAYADA client Colleagues say that Speech Therapist Erin Ward is an artist, born to do what she loves. She kindly helps seniors recover functions that many others take for granted: the ability to swallow, to speak, to share a meal with friends. Regaining those everyday social interactions is nothing short of life changing—in some cases, even lifesaving. Erin was chosen as BAYADA Speech Therapist National Hero of the Year because she lights up any room with her enthusiasm, determination, and expansive knowledge. She is always learning new strategies, advising other clinicians, entertaining residents, and serving on committees in addition to her heavy caseload. All that, and more, makes Erin an incredible team player. |
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JUANA VARGAS, BAYADA 2023 CHHA NATIONAL HERO OF THE YEAR “She leans into caring for these clients while many other aides may pull back. Juana helps bring a ray of sunshine into other’s lives.” – Stasha Fraser, BAYADA Director If caring is a love language, BAYADA Certified Home Health Aide Juana Vargas speaks it fluently. Though Spanish is her native tongue, she has a remarkable ability to communicate through genuine care and love that transcends language barriers and cultural differences. Juana embodies the profound impact of authentic human connection, enabling her to provide the type of care clients deserve from the comfort of home. Juana was chosen as our BAYADA 2023 CHHA National Hero of the Year because she speaks the universal language of love and was born to care for others. |
