Awards

The TAHC&H Meritorious Service Award is for a member of the association who has selflessly engaged in activities which enhanced the collective voice, furthered its purposes, and brought about a greater recognition of the true value of the home care & hospice industry in Texas.

 

Kristen has worked for Angels in almost every capacity since 2003. Kristen began serving as Chief Government Affairs Officer in 2013 and in her current role she has developed meaningful relationships with key legislative, executive, and regulatory contacts across the nation.  Kristen is currently Immediate Past President of the Texas Association of Home Care and Hospice (TAHC&H). Historically, she served as the chair of the TAHC&H pediatric subcommittee from 2017-2019 and was awarded Chairperson of the year 2 years in a row. Kristen is also active with the Protect Texas Fragile Kids (PTFK) advocacy committee, and she regularly attends and testifies at legislative hearings as well as national workgroups.

Kristen is dedicated to the success of our industry and has recently been asked to speak on panels for several national platforms. She is dedicated to the industry not only professionally but personally. 

This award is to recognize an individual who contributed outstanding leadership as a TAHC&H committee chairperson for the past year.

 

Katie’s remarkable lobbying efforts this year, combined with her extensive knowledge and dedication, make her an outstanding candidate for this esteemed title.

Katie played a vital role in our successful lobbying endeavors throughout the session. Her expertise and relentless commitment to our cause were instrumental in achieving our Association’s priorities. Her ability to navigate complex legislative landscapes and effectively communicate our objectives set her apart.  Katie utilized her legislative relationships, spent weeks in the Capitol educating legislators about priorities impacting TAHCH members, and stirred her colleagues to action.

Not only did Katie excel in the present, but she also demonstrated her proactive nature by laying the groundwork for the next session. Her forward-thinking mindset and strategic planning ensure our organization's continued success.

Her willingness to listen and learn allowed her to grow, not only as a fierce advocate, but also in the role of "diplomat" to ensure member concerns were heard and understood. Results were realized in this legislative session because of her foundational work prior to the session. Katie is the personification of "standing in the gap" for our industry at the state and federal level.

The Associate Member Award is to recognize an individual whose commitment to TAHC&H makes this individual stand out among his or her peers. Nominees must have demonstrated exceptional, consistent and sustaining support for the association and the industry as a whole.

 

Amy Knight - because it's Amy! Amy shows up to everything, including committees, planning our annual meeting with association staff, and remaining available as a helpful resource for TAHCH members on the community forums. 

 

Amy always has an infectious positive attitude; she has an incredible work ethic and is an inspiration to Associate Members.

The TAHC&H Media Award is presented to member(s) of the Texas media for excellence in communicating home care & hospice information to the public.

 

Tony Plohetski is a national award-winning journalist whose reporting is featured in print, digital and television platforms and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for public service.  He received the national Edward R Murrow Award as well as receiving multiple regional Emmy awards and was named Best Television Reporter by the Texas Association of Broadcasters and the Texas Headliners Foundation in 2023.

 

Focused on the crisis in home care and poor reimbursement rates, Tony wrote about the issues facing our industry.  We continue to build a relationship with Tony and he has expressed a desire to continue to write more on healthcare at home.  He is a great reporter we look forward to working with to keep the public up to date on the significant issues facing care in the home. 

The purpose of the Volunteerism Award is to recognize individuals who perform activities that fill gaps in home care & hospice services.

 

We would have failed this session without Dana's key support in assisting with key communications in the Texas Senate with Sen. Perry.  She performed key outreach and leveraged her relationship to help an entire segment of the home care industry that she doesn't even practice in.

 

Dana has been active in the association for over 26 years and has served as chair or vice-chair on numerous committees, served on the Board of Directors, and served as the association Treasurer and President.  She is a servant leader to the industry and a valuable asset to the community of individuals who need home care and hospice services.

Ken has long been a key member of TAHC&H. He has selflessly served as the Association’s President not once but twice, and has been a valuable mentor to other board members & committee members. 

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Additionally, he served as the TAHC&H Political Action Committee, “TAHC&H PAC”, Council president, stepping up several times to take the reins of leadership as the council’s President.

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As president of the TAHC&H PAC, Ken realized the importance of cultivating relationships with our political leaders.  He inspired other members to get involved and he led the council to achieve the largest one-year goal of $253K, making the TAHC&H PAC one of the top 6 PACs in Texas.  

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Ken is probably THE most dependable member this association has. He is always there and answers the call when needed. His charismatic approach to challenges helps to move issues forward with positive solutions that are in the best interest of the association and the industry as a whole. He exemplifies being a Servant Leader who inspires individual members to work hard to continue the mission of this great association and the industry by Leading, Advancing and Advocating.”

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The PAC council would like to honor Ken for his long and loyal service to the TAHC&H PAC.  The flag we are presenting today was flown on Monday, April 10 during National Care Workers Recognition Month.

The TAHC&H Board of Directors established the Home Care and Hospice Hall of Fame Award to honor individuals who exhibit extraordinary service and achievement over time in supporting home care and hospice services.

 

Carrie Jacobs, LMSW of Goodcare Health Services in Amarillo served in the health care industry for over 22 years, 16 of which were in the home health industry. We will posthumously induct Carrie into the TAHC&H hall of fame for her years of service, the impact she had on the home care industry as a whole, and the legacy she leaves us all to remember.   

 

At Goodcare, Carrie found her true passion in life, taking care of the disabled and elderly.  She wanted her clients to be able to stay home with their families in the comfort of their own homes and she worked tirelessly on their behalf.  Just like other administrators and owners she wore many hats and did it all from marketing, supervision of staff, scheduling, payroll and billing, to client satisfaction, and any other duty necessary to ensure the highest possible quality of care for Goodcare clients. 

 

In addition to running her agency, Carrie chaired and served on several TAHC&H committees and the board for many years, where she met fellow colleagues who shared her passion for home health. She always participated in TAHC&H events, supported and promoted industry advocacy and was there to mentor anyone struggling to make it in home care.  She championed the issues of private pay only agencies and was the first member to represent the private pay auspice on the board created in 2017. 

 

She was truly the epitome of a servant leader both in business and in her community at large, also serving on the American Cancer Society board, President of the Senior Ambassador’s Coalition and chairing the local Social Worker’s Association.