Fairhaven Celebrates Compassionate Public Service and Helpful Hearts at Oliver Halsell Care Awards

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. - Nov. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Fairhaven Memorial honored 10 inspiring Orange County individuals during the second annual Oliver Halsell Care Awards on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Fairhaven Memorial Services in Mission Viejo. The appreciation program praised local residents who dedicated themselves to serving and caring for other individuals and their community far beyond their job description. The program is derived from Fairhaven’s longstanding mission of “serving from the heart.”

“We had the honor of acknowledging 10 remarkable individuals for their exceptional compassion that radiates into the community they care for,” said Marla Noel, president of Fairhaven. “Their diligent efforts in improving people’s lives and assisting others through advocacy, grief support and care giving are truly admirable.”

Fairhaven, an Orange County mortuary and memorial park serving the community for 102 years from its Santa Ana location, now also serves south county from its Mission Viejo mortuary. Fairhaven announced the recognition program in early 2012 and nominees came from many fields including private care, hospice, social work, counseling, assisted living, nursing, therapy and volunteer work.

Fairhaven’s 2013 Care Award honorees are:

·         Tina Borden (San Clemente), health services director at Aegis Living, pursued her nursing degree at age 40 and serves as an advocate for seniors who enter healthcare systems.

·         Gloria Zambrano (Laguna Niguel), resident service director at Fountain Senior Assisted Living, provides special care and supervision for residents, while offering a comforting environment for patients and families.

·         Grace Henson (Mission Viejo), director of nursing at Regents Point/Windcrest, has more than 30 years of nursing experience and is a firm believer of critical thinking, professionalism, compassion and ethical treatment.

·         Martha Meyer (San Clemente), life enrichment director at Del Obispo Terrace Senior Living, has a life-long passion for helping and built one of the most unique social programs at the facility centered on the Three E’s: Engage, Enrich, Empower.

·         Cheryl Wieland (Laguna Hills), case management coordinator at Age Well Senior Services, ensures seniors are aligned with the proper resources to sustain a healthy productive lifestyle at home.

·         Jose Hidalgo (Fullerton), staffing coordinator at Western Medical Center, assists the elderly with physical therapy needs. He is a human component of the healing process.

·         Graciela Pulido (Rancho Santa Margarita), resident assistant at Park Terrace senior living facility, helps seniors live their daily lives with comfort and health. Care giving is more than just a 24-hour job, it is her passion.

·         Kristyn von Rotz (Orange), co-founder of OC Walk to Remember, offers families the opportunity to receive individual therapy, participate in events in memory of their child and interact with others who have lost an “angel.”

·         Teresa Valdez (Santa Ana), customer service director at Country Villa Plaza Healthcare Center, makes caring for her patients and creating a safe home for them a priority in her career.

·         Louise Della Bella (Mission Viejo), executive director of clinical resources management and social services at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, aspires to facilitate the complex healthcare environment so patients and families can better understand their options and acquire the right resources.

Fairhaven executives and Care Award honorees accompanied by their family, friends and colleagues, enjoyed a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception followed by a catered dinner at the Misison Viejo facility.

About Fairhaven’s Oliver Halsell Care Award

Fairhaven’s Oliver Halsell Care Award pays tribute to Orange County individuals whose kindness and dedication to serving others is inspirational. These courageous individuals go above and beyond their job descriptions to serve with the utmost care and compassion. Fairhaven’s Oliver Halsell Care Award winners come from many fields including private care, hospice, social work, counseling, assisted living, nursing, therapy and volunteer work.

For more information and to nominate a deserving candidate, visit Fairhaven’s website: http://www.fairhavenmemorial.com/community/oliver-halsell-care-award or email CareAwards@FairhavenMemorial.com.

About Fairhaven

Founded in 1911 by Oliver Halsell to provide a peaceful and comforting place for families to honor their loved ones, Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary is Orange County’s most beautiful independently owned and operated full-service mortuary, crematory and cemetery. With the memorial park and mortuary in Central Orange County (http://www.fairhavenmemorial.com/) and an elegantly appointed mortuary in South Orange County (http://www.fairhavenmemorialservices.com/), Fairhaven offers a wide range of pre-need and at-need services provided with care and compassion. Fairhaven is dedicated to celebrating the individual, providing services that are as unique and wide-ranging as the people they celebrate. Additional information is available at www.fairhavenmemorial.com.