Vanessa Freeman

Sep 28, 2012

Dear Vanessa,

Aristotle said “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”.

And Vanessa, lucky for SPIN that your habitual demonstration of excellence is what you not only understand but you exemplify through your everyday attitude and actions.  You joined SPIN in 2007 beginning to share yourself with three elderly gentlemen, Joe, Art and Fran at Fulmer CLA and it is here where you began to make your special mark in the lives of these men, their families, your co-workers, your supervisor and the overall community.

Vanessa, quickly you saw the unique and specialized needs of each of the men and ensured that you were in a key staffing role to provide quality care and support for each individual. You have a keen awareness and ability to assess the men’s needs, wants and aspirations and are an outstanding example of a Direct Support Professional who not only knows, but lives SPIN’s four Pillars. 

Your strong and confident people first approach highlights your willingness, initiative and competence to increase your responsibility and deliver high performance results.  Based upon your knowledge and your well known trusting relationships with Joe, Art and Fran, you are requested by internal and external stakeholders to be an active participant in Pre-ISP and ISP meetings, QEST reviews, SIS assessments, Support Coordinator monitorings and behavioral consults.  A recent example of your advocating is that you articulated your observation and feedback about one of the men’s affect which proved to be an illness requiring medication. Your extreme care and assessment capability ensured his best possible health.   Vanessa you are a proven team player and a team leader!

And let’s not forget the incredible vacations! You have been a critical ingredient in the successful planning and implementation of the many wonderful vacations the gentlemen have enjoyed throughout the years including a most recent trip to Universal Studios/SeaWorld and a ten day cruise to the Caribbean. WOW, the pictures tell the whole story! During the cruise you and your co-worker dined with Art and Fran and an older couple from upstate New York. They were blown away by your level of care, commitment and competence.  This couple wanted to ensure that your actions were recognized so upon their return from their vacation they wrote us a letter sharing their delight of the positive support that they witnessed throughout their cruise.  They wanted us to know that their vacation was truly enhanced based upon our employee’s excellence of care.  

Kathy and I had the privilege this month to spend time with you at Fulmer.  Our guests could clearly see your wealth of knowledge, your collaborative approach and we were certainly pleased to be able to brag that you are a gold standard at SPIN.  

Kim Williams presented a most glowing nomination letter for you.  But it was Kim’s recognition of your outstanding Pillar action that was the most powerful.  She stated “Vanessa has Professionally proven through her Performance Excellence that the People who come First in the organization lead positively Productive lives”.  

Vanessa, on behalf of the SPIN Corporate Board, SPIN managers, your colleagues, and most importantly, Joe, Art and Fran, we are so very proud of you and congratulate you on this most deserving Employee of the Month Award for September, 2012.  And Vanessa, no doubt that Aristotle was speaking about wonderfully caring and talented people like you who habitually demonstrate excellence in all that you do.  

With sincere appreciation,

Judith R. Dotzman
Executive Director