A Note from the Editor
Melanie Hodges often experiences acts of kindness from her patients. Melanie is a home health nurse for Ascension at Home here in Birmingham, Alabama, where HomeCare is based. Her clients routinely request her to be their nurse, prepare meals for her ahead of her visits, stock her car with popcorn and cookies, and even send birthday and Christmas presents to her young daughter. It’s not a surprise, given her dedication to the job and her devotion to her patients.
“She is frequently recognized by colleagues for her diligent work ethic and quality of care her patients receive,” her husband wrote in his appreciation for her work. “She is not afraid to be assigned in areas of town that may be perceived as dangerous, because she understands that members of our community in these areas are also the ones that need access to quality health care the most.”
Melanie has a special place in our hearts because her husband, Matt Hodges, is HomeCare’s digital project manager. And we know that you all have the same kind of affection for your own team members—you displayed it in the many wonderful stories you shared in the nominations for this year’s HomeCare Heroes. We wish we could have honored every single one of them. Instead, we’ve had to pick just 11 we felt represented the range of ways the people working in our industry make a difference. You’ll find their profiles on page 18.
There’s much more in this issue, too, including our annual Buyer’s Guide (page 46), a must-have list of the product and service providers that keep your organization ticking, and columns and features to help you as well.
As always, thanks for reading!
Hannah Wolfson Editor, HomeCare Media
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HomeCare® (ISSN# 0882-2700) is published by the Cahaba Media Group, PO Box 530067, Birmingham, AL 35253. Subscriptions are free of charge to qualified HME and home health workers. Publisher reserves the right to determine qualifications. ©2024 Cahaba Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher does not warrant, either expressly or by implication, the factual accuracy of any advertisements, articles or descriptions herein, nor does the publisher warrant the validity of any views or opinions offered by the authors of said articles or descriptions. The opinions expressed are those of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Cahaba Media Group. Cahaba Media Group makes no representation or warranties regarding the accuracy or appropriateness of the advice or any advertisements contained in this magazine. We welcome submissions. Unless otherwise negotiated in writing by the editors, by sending us your submission, you grant Cahaba Media Group, Inc., permission by an irrevocable license (with the right to license to third parties) to edit, reproduce, distribute, publish, and adapt your submission in any medium on multiple occasions. You are free to publish your submission yourself or to allow others to republish your submission. Submissions will not be returned.
