Dr. Leslie Stevens, Physician of the Year

Dr. Leslie Stevens, Hospice Physician, was recently named Home Care Physician of the Year by the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH). Quoting from the Award Profile: “Dr. Stevens works full time providing direct patient care to approximately 150 hospice patients. She always takes time to answer questions and concerns of patients, families, and caregivers. She is able to explain complex situations in a manner that is easily understandable to lay persons, yet it is not viewed as talking down to them.”

Dr. Stevens collaborates with the staff to optimize patient care. She is a great educator, and instructs staff on various aspects of patient care when they are consulting with her on various situations. She is readily available to the nursing staff to do joint visits to their patients’ homes.
Dr. Stevens’ direct involvement in providing care gives her the ability to offer invaluable input to the interdisciplinary team, which allows for an effective plan of care. She has demonstrated time and again an incredible ability to adapt, improve and overcome barriers in challenging situations that occur in home care situations. She has frequently purchased items for patients using her own money when she sees a patient need, and has researched items she feels will help. One innovative idea was a coloring book for adults to help them converse with friends and family when they visit.

Dr. Stevens provides educational in-services to area physicians and Skilled Nursing Facility staff to improve care of end-stage illness, and is rated very good to excellent by area physicians who attend. She is a compassionate and knowledgeable patient advocate who consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty in caring for patients and educating the community. Dr. Stevens dispels the belief that doctors are cold and unapproachable. She goes out of her way to be of service to patients, families, facilities, healthcare agencies, and physicians, and is the type of physician that any ill person would want for themselves or their family member. The Hospice reputation has been positively impacted by Dr. Stevens’ devotion and endless supply of energy and compassion.

Home Health Supervisor of the Year - Mauri Ysaguirre

Mauri Ysaguirre was awarded Home Health Supervisor of the Year by the California Association for Healthcare Services At Home (CAHSAH). She has worked for Ramona VNA & Hospice since 1996 and became a first-line supervisor in our Sun City branch office in 1998. Mauri has in-depth knowledge of her clinical staff's skills, and has a great love of people along with a true underlying faith, which creates trust and confidence in her daily interaction. She has created staff loyalty which back her up to "get the job done."

Actively involved in the Agency's increased growth and service, Mauri has served on multiple committees to promote organized change and follow through by working closely with educational programs and the quality improvement process. An excellent role model, Mauri upholds high standards for herself and her staff. She consistently encourages staff to seek additional education. She has been successful in developing a superior wound care program with the development of staff for this specialty area, resulting in three RNs becoming wound Care Certified (WCC) and one RN becoming a Certified Wound Care Ostomy Nurse (CWOCN). Generous with her praise, Mauri leads by example and works alongside her staff to make things happen.

Mauri is known to make home visits with a clinician when an issue has been identified, and communicates directly with the physician when appropriate to meet patient needs. She takes personal pride in ensuring that patients receive a high quality of care, and frequently contacts insurance providers to advocate for patient services.

Mauri tailors plans creatively with each employee to help them succeed, spending time individually with each member of staff to encourage them in their care of patients. She embraces change and looks positively to the future to improve care of patients.

CAHSAH Physician & Home Care Supervisor of the Year

We are proud to announce Dr. Leslie Stevens, Hospice Physician, was awarded the 2008 Physician of the Year award by the California Association of Homecare At Home (CAHSAH). Also recognized for her excellence was Mauri Ysaguirre, Home Health Director at Ramona VNA & Hospice, who received the Homecare Supervisor Award for 2008-2009. Congratulations Dr. Stevens and Mauri!