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Hulda Osborn Award Each year, the Nebraska Association for Home Healthcare and Hospice selects recipients for the Hulda Osborn Award. Members can nominate individuals who have made an outstanding contribution as a caregiver, and/or individuals that have helped advocate or support the home care and hospice industry. Eligible award recipients include Nebraska Association for Home Healthcare and Hospice members (except current Nebraska Association for Home Healthcare and Hospice Board members and their staff), agency directors/administrators, staff, contracted staff or volunteers, state or federal legislators, other health care professionals, family caregivers and lay persons. 2022 Hulda Osborn Award Winners Linda Lundeen
Linda began her journey in elder care at the age of 16 when she spent the summer working at Woodward State Hospital in Iowa. She was orientated on one of the toughest units there. Terrifying, uncontrolled mental illness and the very elderly in various stages of advanced dementia. Linda went to nurse’s training after graduating from high school and began that career at clients’ bedside in the hospital. Later, she took time off to raise a family but found herself back in healthcare years later when her elderly in-laws began declining in health. As the years went by, Linda realized that she was not only called to Eldercare, but also to one-on-one care. She worked in homes, did home health, worked in Communities, in rehabs, and in hospice. All these experiences taught her valuable lessons about caring. She states, “I have been blessed to be the giver, but many more times to be the receiver." Fast forward to today. Linda now trains and mentors Caregivers for Home Care Advocacy Network. She also helps franchise owners with Care Consulting and developing training programs. Linda says her experience helps her to see families and loved ones without blinders or judgment and plans to use those life experiences in her pursuit of becoming a hospice chaplain. Geri Johnson
Geri Johnson has made significant contributions to rural Nebraska Home Health Care. Geri opened the Brown County Hospital’s Home Health Agency in 1977 and has served as the director until present day. Being the Director in a rural agency means not only responsible for the regulatory compliance, infection control, quality but also seeing most of the patients in the agency. While she is the lead of the Home Health Agency, Geri also helps on the floor at Brown County Hospital and leads their ‘Excellence Committee’ to promote quality for co-workers, patients, and visitors. Brown County Hospital administration describes Geri as a beloved team member who always displays a priority to patient care and her actions demonstrates her belief that it is a privilege to serve patients. Geri has also been a long advocate of the Nebraska Association for Home Healthcare & Hospice. She was President-Elect in 2016 and 2017, President in 2018 and 2019, Board Liaison to the Education/Program Committee, representative on the CGS Provider Outreach Education Advisory Board and currently chairs the Nominating Committee. Geri once stated, “I have a great passion for home care, and I believe the association is a vibrant and essential resource for Nebraska agencies. I enjoy the challenge of growing our organization.” Niccie Stuck
Niccie is from Gordon, Nebraska, and has been a care provider in the community for 25+ years. She started as a care provider when she returned to the area to care for her ailing mother. Niccie quit her job and moved her family back so she could help her mom with daily cares needed to remain in her home where she was happier and healthier to the end of her life. Niccie found this such a rewarding experience for her own family that she decided to remain in the area and provide caregiving services for other individuals. Niccie has worked as a Nebraska State provider, and a private provider giving her time, care, dedication and devotion to many elderly patients allowing individual, Home Health, and Hospice patients to receive the care needed to remain in their homes. She has been in high demand over the past years as she has proven to be reliable, responsible and goes above and beyond in her caring with her loving and respectful nature.
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