The Celtic e-Pulse on Healthcare

Celtic Healthcare Staff Members Make a Difference at PA Vent Camp

Several staff members from Celtic Healthcare recently participated in an activity-filled week at PA Vent Camp. Located at camp Victory in Millvale, PA, this camp is one of the few places in the country where ventilator dependent children can have a "camp experience" away from home or the hospital.

PA Vent Camp is always a week of new experiences for both campers and staff. "The camp not only brings a world of accomplishments and experiences to the children who attend, but it also brings a deep sense of gratitude to the team of individuals who help care for the children each year," said Tonya Miller, Regional Director for Celtic Healthcare and camp Activities Director since 1994, "I often receive notes of thanks from staff who express a deep sense of gratitude for the experience this camp gave them."

Children who require mechanical ventilation to breathe face amazing challenges each and every day and must develop a sense of trust that most of us could never imagine having for another human being. These children are not only are willing to trust camp volunteers with their lives for a week, but are also willing to try to new things such as wall climbing, playing sports and singing on stage - activities they would otherwise probably never have the opportunity to experience.

When Tonya Miller joined Celtic Healthcare, she was impressed by the support given to PA Vent Camp through Celtic Charities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Celtic Charities is committed to Celtic Healthcare's obligation of serving others and giving back to the community. Celtic employees Shelly Abeln, PT, Amy Coulon, PT, Nathan (son of Terry Pruett-Fisher, PT), Claire Bishop, Home Health Aide and Heather Baumgartel all volunteered their time and talents to make this year's vent camp a memorable experience for all.

"I have continued to be impressed not only by the support of Celtic Charities, but by the support of so many staff members," Miller said. Core values are at the center of Celtic's corporate culture and are clearly demonstrated in the employees' passion for community service and spirit of volunteerism.


Kathy Bishop is Celtic's Customer Service Champion of the Month!
	Kathy Bishop, Hospice Care Coordinator is being honored as July's Customer Service Champion of the Month. This award, which is determined from nominations by coworkers and managers, is a monthly initiative to reward great customer service.
Kathy was choosen for Customer Service Champion as a result of a letter we received from the Executive Director of an assisted living facilty that Celtic serves: "We hosted a friends and family event which was attended by 200 seniors. I was shocked and amazed that your nurse Kathy was here, without an appointment to see a patient as a volunteer. She just showed up to help our elderly visitors get plates of food, drinks and just have a good time. She stayed for about three hours (yes 3 hours!!) to assist our staff in our annual Luau. I look forward to seeing Kathy on her visits to our facility, as I know our residents will be in good hands with a wonderful person at their bedside. She is truly an amazing person with lots of interests other than nursing. She also had many wonderful things to say about your organization. You are truly blessed to have a dedicated and caring staff member who is so devoted to serving our seniors. In closing, I wanted to bring to your attention one of the special people who you meet in life and that is your nurse Kathy." Kathy came to Celtic Healthcare 2 years ago, after her daughter Claire, who also works at Celtic, had told her many wonderful things about the company. And after 2 years she is loving her work here. "Hospice is in my heart, and at this point, I can't imagine doing anything else." Thank you Kathy for consistently displaying EXTRAordinary customer service. It is with great pleasure that we honor you as July's Customer Service Champion of the Month!