Congratulations to Hearts for Home Care’s Ambassadors of the Year! November is Home Care and Hospice Month—and a month of gratitude. Hearts for Home Care (H4HC) has thousands of members, all of whom are advocates. Additionally, our 300+ “grasstops” advocates are known as Hearts for Home Care Ambassadors. Each year, H4HC honors and thanks our top Ambassadors for their dedication to advocacy. Here is more information about our Ambassador Program and our annual Ambassador of the Year (AOTY) awards ceremony.
Q: What is a Hearts for Home Care Ambassador, and how is it different from an Advocate?
A: If you are a H4HC member, you are an advocate! An advocate is anyone who cares about home care and is interested in making their voices heard about the importance of home care. A H4HC Ambassador is someone who takes on increased responsibility to regularly engage in advocacy with their lawmakers.
Q: How do you pick the Ambassadors of the Year?
A: H4HC currently has more than 300 ambassadors—all of whom go above and beyond to be a voice for home care clients, families, and caregivers. H4HC regularly tracks ambassadors’ actions and determines which Ambassadors made the most significant relationships and legislative impacts over the course of a year. In addition to the state Ambassadors of the Year in H4HC’s most active advocacy states, there is also a Federal Ambassador of the Year, who is the most influential Ambassador in terms of Medicare Home Health and Hospice advocacy; a Rookie of the Year winner, who is the most impactful first-year ambassador; and an overall National winner.
Q: Once the Ambassadors are chosen, how do you celebrate them?
A: Each Ambassador of the Year winner joins the H4HC team on a trip to Washington, D.C. H4HC takes the winners and their guest on a guided tour of D.C., an overnight stay at the historic Hotel Washington, and celebrate them at a special awards ceremony and dinner in their honor. This is one of H4HC’s most cherished events of the year because we could not do our work without our Ambassadors’ voices and their commitment to home care advocacy.
Below, check out the Ambassadors of the Year!
Delaware AOTY Judeth Smith
Judeth began her advocacy career in a mostly virtual world—the COVID-19 pandemic. As they say, never waste a good crisis! Judeth flourished as an advocate and continues to grow in many ways—she has become a “go-to” Ambassador. Judeth has a knack for making people feel comfortable and calm—essential qualities for forward-facing roles related to legislative advocacy. She has overseen legislative home visits, client participation in hearings, advocacy days, and direct lobbying meetings. Delaware is lucky to have this rising star and we are grateful for all of her meaningful contributions toward advocating on behalf of home care recipients and caregivers.
Pictured: Judeth is far right with DE Rep. Kevin Hensley
Florida AOTY Jennifer Harvard
Jennifer is not shy about being the voice for the many home care clients, families, and caregivers that rely on her. In addition to attending H4HC trainings and actively sharing H4HC recruitment initiatives among nurses, she testified at a legislative hearing in support of increased home care funding and did lots of outreach to state and federal lawmakers about the importance of in-home services. The Sunshine State needs more advocates like you – Way to go, Jennifer!
Pictured: Jennifer is far right with her colleagues during FL Advocacy Day
Missouri AOTY Kelci Stafford
H4HC entered the advocacy arena in Missouri for the first time in 2020. Success necessitates a partnership with “boots on the ground” advocates. Kelci Stafford assumed the role of Field General and hasn’t looked back! From leading home visits to storming the halls of Jefferson City, Kelci has risen to every occasion on behalf of home care clients and employees. Missouri’s private duty nursing space has seen tremendous legislative success the last several years—and Kelci has been a huge part of the reason. H4HC is grateful for Kelci’s partnership!
Pictured: Kelci is second from right with MO Sen. Mike Cierpiot
New Jersey AOTY Paul Broderick
Paul’s dedication to home care advocacy is unparalleled. Paul traveled to the State House multiple times to offer personal testimony, to support of the inaugural NJ Legislative Home Care Caucus meeting, and to offer moral support to a client’s mother during her testimony in support of home care funding. He also invited then-Assemblyman Moriarty to meet a client and to witness home care training and teamwork in his office. Paul has truly created a culture of advocacy amongst his staff and clients. Thank you Paul!
Pictured: Paul is second from left, pictured with NJ Sen. Moriarty
North Carolina AOTY Caroline Pierce
In her first year as an H4HC Ambassador, Caroline immediately established herself as a relentless and talented advocate. She serves on the H4HC Social Media Committee, reliably participated in advocacy days, filmed advocacy videos, and has recruited numerous nurses and clients to the H4HC movement. In the 2023 session, she participated in several targeted outreach efforts to Senator Ralph Hise, whose support was key to the 2023 nursing rate increases. Big kudos to Caroline for her work to establish and foster this key relationship!
Pictured: Caroline Pierce (leftmost) standing next to NC Senator Julie Mayfield during NC Advocacy Day
Pennsylvania AOTY Michael Stacey
Michael has truly been a dynamo of advocacy and community engagement. He has organized two first pitches with a local baseball team—which gave clients a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to give H4HC a voice to a packed stadium. Over the past year, Michael has conducted five independent legislative meetings and participated in both the 2023 and 2024 PA Advocacy Days. He didn’t stop there; he reached out personally to three lawmakers to encourage their engagement. Thanks for all you do, Michael!
Pictured: Michael (center right) beside PA Rep. Joe Hamm
South Carolina AOTY Jenni Cairns
Jenni Cairns is not new to home care advocacy. In fact, she’s not new to being known as SC’s #1 Ambassador! This year, she added to her advocacy repertoire by participating in media–she was interviewed by a TV reporter during Advocacy Day! Jenni also organized a legislative visit with a client and hosted a legislative home visit. She is always a voice for home care clients, caregivers, and families – and routinely goes above and beyond to ensure that legislators know that they must support home care for the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Pictured: Jenni (third from left) with SC Senator Tom Corbin
Federal AOTY Betsy Brown
Betsy Brown became a H4HC Ambassador just this year! She wasted no time learning the ropes and immediately attended ambassador training and education calls to ensure she was up to date on the latest ask and tactics. Betsy used what she learned to meet with members of Congress and their staff five times as well as a with Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. Betsy followed up via phone calls to two of her Congressional Representatives following an action alert to ensure home health care was at the top of their minds. Her persistence and ability to dive right in made her H4HC’s Federal AOTY.
Pictured: Jenni (third from left) with SC Senator Tom Corbin
Rookie AOTY Asa Smith
Asa has made significant strides in building relationships in his short time as an ambassador. He planned and executed a successful
ribbon-cutting event for his York, PA office, inviting both state and federal lawmakers, which allowed them to gain a better understanding of the importance of home care services in their communities. Asa also conducted home visits with lawmakers and staff, fostering important connections. His participation in various trainings underscores his commitment to professional growth. We can’t
wait to see what next year brings to your advocacy portfolio, Asa!
Pictured: Asa (center, holding scissors) cuts the ribbon on a new BAYADA office opening
And the National Hearts for Home Care
Ambassador of the Year is…. Drumroll……
North Carolina’s Caroline Pierce!
Hearts for Home Care is proud to call Caroline an Ambassador. She truly goes above and beyond to be a voice for home care clients, caregivers, and employees. Her advocacy work has been crucial in getting key legislators to understand the importance of home care in their communities. We could not do our advocacy work without you, Caroline! Congratulations!
Some words from Caroline’s service office leadership:
“You have an amazing commitment to advocacy. No matter what else on your plate, you always find time to advocate. You understand the importance of educating legislators and that gives others a voice.” -Kristen Church, Caroline’s supervisor.
“We are so proud of Caroline for taking on the Ambassador role when she already does so much every single day to support the people we serve. It always shows how committed she is to BAYADA’s clients and that she will do whatever she needs to make them feel supported and cared for. She always jumps in and commits and goes above and beyond to advocate. Congratulations on this much-deserved recognition!” – Lillie Lingle, Area Director.
Additional Pictures from Ambassador Awards:
