SPIRIT of Excellence Award: Clinical Support Professional of the Year
Each year, Spirit of Excellence Awards are presented by our parent company, Amedisys, to select employees who demonstrate exceptional caregiving support to the field and display Amedisys’ core values, which include service, passion, integrity, respect, innovation and talent.
Our 2024 Clinical Support Professional of the Year award was presented to Maritza Ross, a Community Health Worker (CHW) supporting our Palliative Care at Home program at Mount Sinai Health System in New York. Here are some of the wonderful things shared in Maritza’s nomination for the award:
We are proud to spotlight Maritza’s achievements in this role, and we asked her to share a little more about herself and her day-to-day work as a Community Health Worker.
Can you share a little about your professional background?
I worked in accounting for many years for an advertising company in New York. When the mini recession hit in 2008, I had to reinvent the wheel and find new opportunities as my company in advertising went out of business. I knew I needed to do something to give back to my community and to be around people more in general. I took a course as a home health aide and started a whole new life. I worked as a home health aide for many years and took advantage of the many opportunities for growth the agency I worked for had to offer. This brought me into the health coach life, and then to palliative care as a Community Health Worker. I have been a Community Health Worker for approximately eight years now.
I haven’t done this on my own. Throughout my journey I have been blessed to have the most amazing colleagues and supervisory mentorship anyone could possibly ask for. Manager Rachel Chiulli, NP, and Jacqueline Cohen, Social Worker/CHW Supervisor, have been alongside every step I have taken since the inception of this program. They say the sum is only as good as its parts, and that is what I encounter every day. Mount Sinai Hospital is also a learning institution, and the training they consistently provide our team is number one.
Can you describe your role at Contessa, and what drew you to this job?
I have been with Contessa for three years now in the role of Community Health Worker. I started working as a Community Health Worker for a study program at Mount Sinai Hospital. The premise of the role is that we can relate to the patients because we are part of their communities. We build rapport with our patients through sharing experiences, active listening and just showing up for our patients. We advocate for our patients and in many ways give them a voice in a setting where many times they might not have a voice.
When Contessa started the Palliative Care at Home program, I signed on to help with this new joint venture and mentor the new Community Health Workers. Palliative Care at Home and Community Health work has been my passion ever since. I honestly see Community Health Workers becoming an integral part of every facet of home care and healthcare. I truly feel that when people find their voice and can share that voice with people that care for them in their most vulnerable moments, it might not heal a disease, but it makes it more bearable. My patient philosophy is: Never let a patient go unheard!
Tell us about life outside of work!
My passion is doing anything creative I can get my hands on. I love to make jewelry, sew, crochet, knit and continuously learn new crafts. I love to read and cook as well.
I am an avid pet lover. I lost my dog a couple of years ago, and the loss was so harsh, I don’t think I can do that again for a while. I have three adult children who are my reason for life and recently have entered the life of being a grandma. I never thought something so simple could make me so happy.
What’s something you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had a chance to yet?
I would love to travel more and do some more volunteer work with young people.
What are some words of wisdom that you live by?
Respect all, do no harm and love life.
Thanks, Maritza, for sharing your talents and passion for caregiving with your patients, their families and the Contessa team! We are grateful for the care and attention you and other clinical support professionals like you contribute to advancing healthcare at home.