Heather Carruth, a nurse assessment coordinator at Bethany Village, has been named the winner of LeadingAge Ohio’s 2023 Excellence in Caring Award. This award is presented to a single “outstanding direct or indirect care professional or volunteer within a LeadingAge Ohio member organization who enriches the lives of those they serve and exemplifies quality of care in the field of aging services,” according to LeadingAge. The 2023 Award Winners were announced in Columbus at the LeadingAge Ohio Annual Conference & Trade Show.

Heather began her career at Bethany Village 34 years ago in dietary services, becoming a nurse in 1998. Heather’s love for bedside nursing led to continual learning, training and supervising newly hired nursing staff at the Bethany Rehabilitation Center, and most recently, accepting a leadership role as Restorative MDS Nurse on the Memory Support unit.

Now with an office of her own, staff and residents “may find her small dog, Izzy, sitting in a decked out stroller complete with coordinated outfit, ready to stroll about on Heather’s rounds, bringing a smile to anyone on the unit,” notes Facility MDS Coordinator Jenita Sullenger, who nominated Heather and accepted the award Tuesday on her behalf. “Heather has an uncanny ability to mitigate distressing moods or behaviors that residents [with dementia] can sometimes display. She is the ultimate role model for those around her in these interactions, often using her calm, joyful and sensitive approach.”

Heather’s dedication and enthusiasm for excellence in resident care is evident as she contributes to the growth of the nursing leadership team.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Heather!