Lawndale resident Kelly Bivins was recognized as the national Registered Nurse (RN) Hero of the Year by BAYADA Home Health Care, a leading provider of in-home care. Chosen from among thousands of nominees, Bivins received the prestigious award for exemplifying the highest standards of care before more than 2,300 employees at the company's annual awards meeting in Washington, D.C. on April 30.
"Kelly's name means warrior, which is exactly what she is for her patients," said BAYADA Client Services Manager Amber Mitchell. "If her patients require a skill that she doesn't have, she simply learns it. Kelly's greatest asset may be that she doesn't see problems, she sees only solutions and opportunities."
Bivins is a hero in the eyes of her patient, David Wilson, who is battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. She has helped Wilson cope as the disease has slowly robbed him of control of his body, and his life.
"Kelly is my hero because she is so real as a person and a nurse," said Wilson, who communicates through a computer because he no longer has the ability to speak. "She exudes personality as she walks in the room, yet she is the most humble soul I have ever met."
Wilson's two teenage daughters and his wife Sharon couldn't agree more. "Kelly had to learn to read David's body language, to read his eyes," said Sharon Wilson. "That's a tremendous skill to be able to interpret others that way. She gives him kindness and love in so many different ways. Enthusiasm and smiles are contagious when Kelly is here. My husband is relaxed and appreciates the little extras she does to make him more comfortable."
BAYADA invited Sharon Wilson and her daughters to Washington, D.C. to watch the nurse who has become like family take the stage as the Hero of the Year.
"It meant a lot to have them in the crowd when I received the award," said Bivins, who is still in shock after the whirlwind event. "I am truly honored to receive the RN Hero of Year Award. I love the work that I do and I love home care and working for BAYADA. When I was a young nurse, I thought I would save everybody; I would fix everybody; I would make a difference. When I came to BAYADA, I learned real quick that it's actually the patient who takes care of me; who teaches me so much without saying a word; and that's just to be thankful for what I have."
Established in 1999, the BAYADA Hero of the Year Program recognizes home health care professionals who consistently demonstrate the company's core values of compassion, excellence, and reliability. Each quarter, patients and peers nominate their local heroes. From the local heroes, division heroes are selected and ultimately four national heroes are chosen among five disciplines: registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, therapist, home health aide, and social worker. The four national heroes are recognized at the annual awards ceremony.
Watch what makes Kelly Bivins a Hero: https://www.bayada.com/careers/heroes-on-the-homefront-2016.asp#more4
Submitted by Lisa Weinstein