Have you ever felt like you are just going through the motions, as though your body is on auto-pilot?  It knows the routine of the day and night, and you just do it. 

You feel completely detached from the people around you.  You are present, but you’re not there.  Perhaps it's worrying from work, stressors in life, or maybe it’s fears about the future.  These and a host of other concerns can leave us feeling lifeless.  Whatever the reason is for this disconnect, the pathway to a solution begins with “checking your connection.” 

I have found time and time again that the problems and concerns of life only throw me off balance when I take my eyes off the One who steadies it all.  That One is Jesus Christ.  I have a saying that goes, “See God rightly, live life rightly.”  Here’s what I mean: when I believe the truth about who God is, what He has accomplished in my redemption, and how He is at work for good in my life, I will not only enjoy the peace of Christ which surpasses all human peace, but I will also flourish despite the circumstances.

In the gospel of John, chapter fifteen and verses 1 through 11, Jesus teaches us how this is possible:

John 15:1–11 (ESV)
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Here, Jesus uses the imagery of a vine, likely a grapevine, to describe how fruitfulness and joy in life come from the practice of dependent prayer.  In verse 2, Jesus says that fruitful branches are pruned so that they produce more fruit.  Verse 3 speaks of the word or teaching of Jesus as the pruning tool that God the Father, the pruner, uses.  Abiding in Christ, or maintaining a connection with Christ, is the way that fruitfulness happens according to verse 4. 

Moreover, verse 7 gives us a picture of what how this connection looks.  It’s prayer!  A life lived in dependent prayer.  When Jesus says, “. . . ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. . .”  This is an act of prayer.  We need not be fearful of asking for “anything,” because when we are in intimate fellowship with God through Christ, the Holy Spirit will aid us in asking for what is in line with the will of God.

Now, lest we miss the point, allow me to point out that our peace of mind and joyful fruitfulness in Christ is not the end goal.  Those are promises that come with this intimate connection.  The end goal is the glory of God, which is the result of our fruitfulness and also the assurance that we are Christ’s disciples.  That is glory upon glory and blessing upon blessing. 

And yet there is still one more question.  Ultimately, how will this life-giving connection to Jesus affect us?  We will love as Jesus has loved. 

Well, that’s verses 12 through 17 and, God-willing, we will bask in their riches in next month’s devotion.

Yours in Christ,
Chaplain James Chavis

The week of May 6-12, 2018 marks an annual celebration of some of our favorite caregivers. National Nurses Week is a time to honor those who give so much of themselves every day to care for others.
 
Nurses serve in many capacities throughout the health care system. Many work in hospitals, while others work in medical clinics and even in our schools. Everywhere you look, there’s a nurse, there to take care of us. At HealthKeeperz, our nurses perform yet another function. They provide care in the most intimate setting possible, in the homes of our patients. And they do so with consistent emphasis on quality, while putting the patient’s needs first.
 
Let’s take a look at the impact that our nurses make at HealthKeeperz. During the 2017 calendar year, HealthKeeperz nurses provided 49,075 home visits—that’s 134 times every day where our outstanding team of nurses was able to provide in-home care with comfort and dignity.
 
Whether home health, hospice, or CAP Case Management visits, HealthKeeperz nurses demonstrate the ability to work with a high degree of skill and care. HealthKeeperz nurses care for patients who are on the mend following surgery, who need help managing diabetes or heart disease, or who may be focusing on quality of life as the end of life approaches. Whatever the case, you can count on a caring, compassionate, and competent HealthKeeperz nurse.
 
Thank you to all of the registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants who have made it their aim to care for others. We are especially thankful for all of those who provide care while representing HealthKeeperz. Most of all, thanks to all of you who help our company pursue its mission, caring for others for the glory of God.  

HealthKeeperz has a mission.  It is to “Care for all people for the glory of God.”  The foundational principles or, as we call them, core values are: Be Compassionate, Pursue Excellence, Take Ownership, and Put Family First. 

These core values are the bedrock that undergirds everything that we do at HealthKeeperz.  But to go from core values to fulfilling our mission, there must be some action.  And that’s where our vision statement comes into play.  Our vision statement reads this way:
HealthKeeperz will be a community of caregivers who deliver value as measured by:
 

• Wise Stewardship
• Business Growth
• Excellent outcomes and patient satisfaction
• Culture of Encouragement

 
Let’s consider this first link in the bridge from core values to fulfilling our mission.  Wise Stewardship.
 
According to Merriam-Webster, stewardship is “the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.”  To be entrusted with something communicates that there is an obligation to do something with whatever we are given.  And to be employed at HealthKeeperz is to be entrusted with the mission of HealthKeeperz.  It is assumed that when we say yes to working with HealthKeeperz that we are saying yes to pursuing the mission of HealthKeeperz by standing on our core values and striving to execute the vision of HealthKeeperz faithfully.  And we do this in part by practicing wise stewardship. 
 
Although at first, it may seem like a daunting task, we can take heart because God has created us with an innate ability to steward wisely.
 
This is seen in Genesis 1:27 (ESV):
27  So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
And in Genesis 1:28 (ESV):
28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
 
Being made in the image God gave Adam and Eve the natural ability to rule the earth and subdue in the same way that God would.  Then, wise stewardship at HealthKeeperz is carefully and responsibly managing our resources, time, and money in the same way that God does.  But wise stewardship for us is not a list of do’s and don’ts like, don’t waste supplies, don’t fudge your timesheet, or be frugal with your budget.  These right practices are a given or even elementary.  Our visionary action to be wise stewards is about pursuing something spectacular and glorious by unleashing the wise, creative visionary that God has designed us to be.  Setting and managing budgets; finding new ways to conserve; increasing efficiency; all of this happens for the purpose of fueling our growing passion for caring for all people.  Wise stewardship in our daily operations gives us more resources for the mission.  This is the wisdom from above that allows us to steward well here below.
 
For the glory of God and the good of His people,
Chaplain James Chavis

Just a few years ago, HealthKeeperz launched the Barnabas Awards program, designed by our leadership team to have our employees select the people who, on a quarterly and annual basis, inspire them to be their best by living the values of our Barnabas Culture.
 
Barnabas, a disciple of Jesus Christ, serves as a Biblical example of the many attributes necessary for HealthKeeperz to operate as a strong, vibrant, Christ-honoring organization. Our approach to providing the highest standard of community-based health care services to the people of North Carolina, defined as our Barnabas Culture, seeks to promote and recognize HealthKeeperz team members who have served our company, our patients, and our people by being a Barnabas. 
 
Colleagues recognized quarterly, as well as at our annual Barnabas Awards banquet contribute to the HealthKeeperz mission of caring for all people for the glory of God. The ultimate goal of the Barnabas Culture at HealthKeeperz is to build a community of caregivers who are caring, selfless, humble, and encourage their teammates.
 
In this series, Portraits of Barnabas, we are highlighting the winners of the award. In the last few months, we’ve honored Janet Locklear of our hospice services division, Timmie Stultz of home medical equipment, and community health educator Tito Massol. In addition, we learned about 2018 Super Barnabas Winner Hortensia Ray Alston-Hayes of our northeastern NC office, as well as 2017 quarterly winner Crystal Strickland.
 
Today, let’s enjoy a look at the life and work of Cara Hammonds winner of a quarterly Barnabas Award in the third quarter of 2017. Cara, like our other cherished Barnabas Award winners, exemplifies our mission and values on a daily basis as she goes about her work in our customer service department.
 
Caring:  “From the first time I met Cara,” shared one of her teammates, “I could tell that she was a young lady with a loving heart. When she talks, you can hear and see in her face the love she has for both her family and her work family. Whenever there’s a special event or someone is feeling down, she always wants to be there for that person, doing something for them to make their day brighter.
 
Another nominating teammate explained, “Cara has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. She goes out of her way to help others.”
 
Selfless:  If Cara Hammonds is consistent at anything, it’s selflessness. According to one of her teammates, “Cara exhibits selflessness on a daily basis. She is one to make you laugh, just being herself. Cara always wants to help out in any way possible—it can be just listening to a coworker or donating money to a cause. You can definitely tell when she’s not there, because her positivity and personality is so missed. Another teammate shared how Cara is continuously putting others first:  “Cara is always giving to others. She loves to see others happy and will do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
 
Humble:  Cara is a very humble person, according to those who know her best. “She goes about her day helping everyone on her team and everyone she encounters,” shared a colleague. “Cara always has others’ best interests at heart. Whenever something impacts her personal life, her first thought is always her team, not wanting to let them down or put more of a burden on them.”
 
Encouraging:  Positivity rules the day when Cara Hammonds is involved. “Cara exhibits the same outlook day-in, day-out,” shared a friend at HealthKeeperz. “When there’s an idea for an event, she says ‘come on, y’all, that sounds fun!’ in her southern twang. Cara enjoys bringing the team together, not only in her own department, but the whole building.” And another teammate pointed out that “Cara is the most encouraging person you’ll ever meet. She has the most bubbly personality and knows how to brighten everyone’s day. There are no bad days around Cara—she inspires everyone she meets.”
 
People like Cara Hammonds, who exemplify the power of positivity and putting others first, are the reason we have a special company at HealthKeeperz. Our work can be very tough on everyone involved, caregivers, families, and patients alike. It takes special people like Cara Hammonds to set the example, challenging all of us to give our best as we care for all for the glory of God each day.
 
Stay tuned to learn more about our other previous Barnabas Award winners in the coming months.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Barnabas Awards began a couple of years ago, designed by our leadership team to have our employees select the people who, on a quarterly and annual basis, inspire them to be their best by living the values of our Barnabas Culture.
 
Barnabas, a disciple of Jesus Christ, serves as an example of many attributes necessary for HealthKeeperz to operate as a strong, vibrant, Christ-honoring organization. Our approach to providing the highest standard of community-based health care services to the people of North Carolina, defined as our Barnabas Culture, seeks to promote and recognize HealthKeeperz team members who have served our company, our patients, and our people by being a Barnabas. 
 
Colleagues recognized at our quarterly and annual Barnabas Awards contribute to the HealthKeeperz mission of caring for all people for the glory of God. The ultimate goal of the Barnabas Culture at HealthKeeperz is to build a community of caregivers who are caring, selfless, humble, and encourage their teammates.
 
In this series, Portraits of Barnabas, we are highlighting the winners of the award. In the last few months, we’ve honored Janet Locklear of our hospice services division, Timmie Stultz of home medical equipment, and community health educator Tito Massol.  
 
Today, let’s enjoy a look at the life and work of Hortensia Ray Alston-Hayes, named winner of a Barnabas Award in the fourth quarter of 2017, as well as our annual “Super Barnabas” Award in 2018, at our recent Barnabas Awards Banquet. Hortensia, like our other cherished Barnabas Award winners, lives our mission and values on a daily basis in her work as a CAP social worker in our northeastern NC office in Elizabeth City.
 
Caring:  According to her co-workers at HealthKeeperz, Hortensia is a deeply caring person who, without fail, sends birthday cards and sympathy cards to all of the clients of the northeastern NC office. One of her teammates said, “She always puts others’ needs before hers, even if it means staying late or working through her own lunch just to listen and advise others.”
 
Selfless:  In one of the ultimate acts of selflessness we’ve seen among many at HealthKeeperz, Hortensia recently discovered that a deceased client’s son didn’t have a suit to wear to his mother’s funeral. According to her teammate, Hortensia gave the client’s son a selection of her late husband’s suits, so that he would have something nice to wear to the funeral and church.
 
Humble:  One teammate said that she often “hears about the blessings that Hortensia’s care bestows on others from THEM, not from her.” And while clients, their families, and co-workers value her expertise, Hortensia “never acts like anyone is imposing on her or is interrupting her workflow.” Truly, she lives with a servant’s heart.
 
Encouraging:  Hortensia is one of those folks who realizes that even with a great team at HealthKeeperz, we often rely on community partners to do our jobs well. Never taking these partners for granted, one of her teammates noted that Hortensia “paid to have cupcakes made for all of the area DSS Medicaid workers, hand-delivering them with a letter saying how much we appreciated their assistance at HealthKeeperz CAP.  She constantly promotes HealthKeeperz and our CAP program in the community, while inviting other entities in to explain their services and encourage CAP referrals.”
 
The HealthKeeperz family would like to again congratulate Hortensia Ray Alston-Hayes, winner of our Super Barnabas Award for 2018.  She’s had a huge impact on our company and those of us who have had the privilege of working with her, as we share the love of the Barnabas Culture with our clients, patients, and families.
 
Stay tuned to learn more about previous Barnabas Award winners in the coming months.
 
 
 
 

If you attend Christian worship services regularly or even occasionally, then you are probably familiar with the event in the Gospels, where Jesus is undergoing crucifixion on a cross between two criminals also being crucified. 
 
The crucifixion may be the most familiar scene in the Bible for people who attend church regularly and even for those who don’t.  Perhaps the reason for this is the tremendous measure of grace and forgiveness that Jesus communicates to one of the criminals.  This criminal enters the story mocking and castigating Jesus for His extraordinary claims of being “Son of God.”  Other recipients of grace and mercy is a group of mockers made up of Gentile Roman soldiers, Jewish religious leaders, and likely a host of regular Joes and Janes like you and me. 
 
If you haven’t read this account of the crucifixion of Jesus in its entirety, I encourage you to stop and read it now.  Turn to the book of Luke, chapter 23.  Begin reading at verse 26 and read through the end.  Then, come back and finish reading this post. 
 
For our purposes in this devotion, I want to highlight the magnitude of grace extended by Jesus and bask in the goodness of God that beams through the darkness of that “good” Friday.
 
In verse 34 Jesus petitions His Father to “. . . forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  “Them,” who could have been us, are the soldiers who are crucifying Him; the leaders who falsified statements about Him; the men, women, boys, and girls that cried out for His death; and all of those who stood by agreeing in silence.  It is on behalf of these guilty criminals of sin that the innocent Lord of Glory petitions His Father.  “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Considering that it was the Divine Crucified One who gave them the next breath to hurl their insults and strength to swing the mallet that drove the spikes, can we not look at this scene and see the streams of mercy (not getting what you deserve) and grace (getting what you don’t deserve) flowing down to this rabble bunch.  They had neither the heart nor mind to ask for forgiveness, so Jesus asks for them. 
 
My friends, God is good! 
 
At some point during this horrendous event, something changes in the heart and mind of one of the criminals being crucified.  Verse 40 says that one criminal rebuked the other for his continued mocking of the Lord. Luke goes on to record that he also owns his condemnation as being just, pronounced Jesus as innocent, and then petitioned Jesus for grace on behalf of himself.  In essence, this guilty sinner says to Jesus, “You are the King of Heaven, please remember me when your kingdom is established.”  And Jesus responds similarly, “Since you recognize me as your king, today I will bring you into my kingdom.”  This is how quickly one can go from sinner to saint.  Earlier in Jesus’ ministry, He told His disciples that whatever is conceived in the heart will find its way to the mouth.  This criminal was doing just that.  Grace and mercy have shattered the hardened heart of this man, and now by simple faith, he believes and confesses Jesus is who He says He is. 
 
Yes, this was a good Friday. 
 
Why?  You may ask.  Because the penalty for sin is death, eternal punishment, and separation from the presence of God.  But thanks be to God, we read here in Luke not only of a king who has been wrongfully executed and prays for those who can’t pray for themselves, but also a Savior who bears the death, punishment, and separation in the place of those, who like this criminal, will exercise simple faith in Jesus Christ and be received into everlasting joy in the King’s Kingdom. 
 
This event known and recorded in human history as the crucifixion of Jesus is the centerpiece of time.  It is here that everything in history before this event was anticipating, and it is here that everything after this event bows and finds its place in the world.  It was not HealthKeeperz who first discovered that “caring for all people” glorified God, which is our mission.  God himself is the first caregiver.  John 3:16 says that God so loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life.    This is the prime example of “caring for all people.”
 
He is a good God and on the first “Good Friday” He demonstrated just how good He is.

For the glory of God alone,
Chaplain James Chavis, HealthKeeperz

As HealthKeeperz President Tim Brooks said during his opening remarks at the 2018 Barnabas Awards Banquet, the company’s Barnabas Culture “is all about joy.” And a joyful time was had by the more than 200 employees, family members, and friends of the company who attended the 3rd Annual Barnabas Awards Banquet at the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club on March 2.
 
Emceed by Chaplain James Chavis, the Barnabas Awards Banquet recognized all of the HealthKeeperz teammates nominated for quarterly awards in 2017 and the four quarterly winners: Janet Locklear (Q1) of the hospice division, a pair of customer service representatives, Crystal Strickland (Q2) and Cara Hammonds (Q3), and Hortensia Ray Alston-Hayes (Q4) a Community Alternatives Program (CAP) social worker.
 
The evening’s climax saw Alston-Hayes named as the 2018 Super Barnabas Award winner, the first woman to achieve this honor at HealthKeeperz. She follows in the footsteps of Tito Massol (2017) and Timmie Stultz (2016). Look for a full feature on Hortensia Ray Alston-Hayes, as well as her fellow nominees, on the HealthKeeperz blog in the coming weeks.
 
Highlights of the evening included music from the ladies of the company’s CAP office in Anson County, as well as door prizes featuring gift cards from Walmart, Target, Outback Steakhouse, and multiple stores and attractions.
 
The evening’s guest speaker was Sheila Burroughs of His Way at Work, a consulting firm that currently engages with the leadership team at HealthKeeperz to find new ways to live and express our faith in God. During her talk, Burroughs focused on how everyone has an individual purpose in this life, and they fulfill that purpose by being themselves. Her work with HealthKeeperz has led to the creation of the company’s Barnabas Caring Team, where we reach out and assist teammates in times of crisis.
 
A surprise, last-minute insertion to the banquet program was a talk from Dee Park, a client of HealthKeeperz who lives in Pinehurst with her husband. She explained to the gathered crowd about the immeasurable contribution that her husband’s home nurse, Wanda Locklear (makes to the Park home with her weekly visits. Her dedication and care have earned her the nickname, “Wandaful,” from the Park family.
 
The evening wouldn’t have been complete without some final remarks from HealthKeeperz founder Howard Brooks. Bible in hand, Mr. Brooks gazed upon the crowd lovingly, telling them that from his view behind the podium he could see just how much God had blessed him during the 50 years since he started the company as Pembroke Drug Center. Continuing, he made a compelling case for his and others’ salvation through belief in Jesus Christ, sharing that what we do at HealthKeeperz is truly the Lord’s work.
 
The company would like to thank the many event sponsors and banquet committee members who made the 2018 Barnabas Awards Banquet the best yet.
 

On Friday, March 2, the HealthKeeperz family will gather in Pinehurst to celebrate those among us who represent the values of our company and the best of what we aspire to be on a daily basis.
 
The 3rd Annual 2018 Barnabas Awards banquet, hosted by the leadership team at HealthKeeperz, is the recognition of another group of winners of the company’s beloved peer recognition awards.  At the banquet, the company will award the “Super Barnabas” Award to one of four quarterly award winners from 2017. This year’s event will begin at 6pm at Pinehurst Country Club.
 
Nominees for the 2018 Super Barnabas Award are the following:
 
Janet Locklear, Q1 2017
Crystal Strickland, Q2 2017
Cara Hammonds, Q3 2017
Hortensia Alston-Hayes, Q4 2017

Attendees will also enjoy a speech by Sheila Burroughs of His Way at Work. At HealthKeeperz, we are engaged with His Way at Work to keep our mission--caring for all for the glory of God--central to everything we do.

The Barnabas Awards program launched in 2015, designed by the HealthKeeperz leadership team to have our employees select the people who, on a quarterly and annual basis, inspire them to be their best by living the values of our Barnabas Culture.  Barnabas, a disciple of Jesus Christ, serves as an example of many attributes necessary for HealthKeeperz to operate as a strong, vibrant, Christ-honoring organization. Our approach to providing the highest standard of community-based health care services to the people of North Carolina, defined as our Barnabas Culture, seeks to promote and recognize HealthKeeperz team members who have served our company, our patients, and our people by being a Barnabas. 
 
Colleagues recognized at our quarterly and annual Barnabas Awards contribute to the HealthKeeperz mission of caring for all people for the glory of God. The ultimate goal of the Barnabas Culture at HealthKeeperz is to build a community of caregivers who are caring, selfless, humble, and encourage their teammates.
 
Timmie Stultz, warehouse manager at HealthKeeperz, received the first Super Barnabas award at the inaugural banquet in the winter of 2016. For Stultz, the Barnabas Award was a humbling honor that validated his treatment of others. “The award meant that my co-workers—my peers—saw some good things that I was doing,” said Stultz. “I try to treat everyone here how I’d like to be treated myself. I’m not perfect—I fall way short of that. But it means so much to me, and to my family, the people who see my commitment to this company, my teammates, and our patients, that my colleagues honored me with the Barnabas Award.”
 
Stultz has not only enjoyed the recognition bestowed upon him by colleagues, but also the effect he’s seen the Barnabas Awards program have on the company, its culture, and most importantly, how individuals treat each other. “A lot more people at our compay, because of the Barnabas Awards, behave and treat people in a different way,” he said. “People have begun to think a little differently, and I’ve seen people change, just in how they deal with me, and how I observe them treating one another. It’s remarkable—it’s human nature for folks to go to the negative and even gossip about the behavior of others. Now, what we see is people trying to empathize and understand that maybe something’s happening in someone’s life and that we need to show compassion for our teammates. I see that new sense of taking care of each other all the time now.” 
 
Stay tuned to this space for a recap of the 3rd Annual Barnabas Awards banquet, where we recognize the examples of servant leadership among our teammates at HealthKeeperz.
 

The Barnabas Awards began a couple of years ago, designed by our leadership team to have our employees select the people who, on a quarterly and annual basis, inspire them to be their best by living the values of our Barnabas Culture.
 
Barnabas, a disciple of Jesus Christ, serves as an example of many attributes necessary for HealthKeeperz to operate as a strong, vibrant, Christ-honoring organization. Our approach to providing the highest standard of community-based health care services to the people of North Carolina, defined as our Barnabas Culture, seeks to promote and recognize HealthKeeperz team members who have served our company, our patients, and our people by being a Barnabas. 
 
Colleagues recognized at our quarterly and annual Barnabas Awards contribute to the HealthKeeperz mission of caring for all people for the glory of God. The ultimate goal of the Barnabas Culture at HealthKeeperz is to build a community of caregivers who are caring, selfless, humble, and encourage their teammates.
 
In this series, Portraits of Barnabas, we are highlighting the winners of the award. In the last few weeks, we’ve honored Janet Locklear of our hospice services division and Timmie Stultz of home medical equipment. Today, let’s enjoy a look at the life and work of Tito Massol, winner of a quarterly Barnabas Award last year, as well as our annual “Super Barnabas” Award in 2017. Tito, like our other cherished Barnabas Award winners, lives our mission and values on a daily basis.
 
Caring:  According to his co-workers at HealthKeeperz, Tito is a friendly person “who goes out of his way to speak to others and share a kind word.” He also cares very deeply about HealthKeeperz, its reputation, and commitment to others, especially in the community. As one colleague stated, “Tito represents HealthKeeperz at chamber and community events, as well as events sponsored by our customers. He does this every day, representing HealthKeeperz professionally and also as a Barnabas to others.”
 
Selfless:  In his role managing accounts, Tito often has to play the role of a middle man, keeping customers, patients, and Healthkeeperz clinical staff happy in the process. He is exemplary in his tirelessness, putting others above himself. One colleague stated that Tito “always puts your needs ahead of his own, making sure you have everything you need to succeed in your work.”
 
Humble:  Time and again, Tito’s co-workers highlight his willingness to do anything, without complaint. Dutiful to the end, this humble servant leads by example. One colleague remarked that even if the job of making a customer or patient happy means going to another county to deliver equipment, Tito is always ready to help.” Another co-worker perhaps stated it best: “Tito is never trying to make himself look good. For him, it’s all about making Healthkeeperz and the team look good. Even during difficult times, he comes to work without letting it affect how he cares for others and goes about his work.”
 
Encouraging: “At any time you’re around Tito,” said one of his colleagues, “He’s always trying to speak positively or lift up another person. He’s always willing to assist and go the extra mile.”  Another co-worker said, “Tito is always smiling whenever he enters a room, even if he’s not having the best day, and he always makes you feel better by the time you leave.”
 
The HealthKeeperz family would like to again congratulate Tito Massol, winner of our Super Barnabas Award for 2017. He’s always there with a kind word and a smile, getting his co-workers what they need to succeed and make it through each day.
 
Stay tuned to learn more about our other previous Barnabas Award winners in the coming months.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

By Tim Brooks

When my father launched our company more than 50 years ago as a community pharmacy in Pembroke, he poured his soul into his work, and the care that he gave the citizens of Pembroke and surrounding communities spoke to his abiding faith in God and the good of his people.

As we’ve become a larger company through the years, it’s been important to me and others on our leadership team that we take that same ethos of care and apply it not just the communities we serve across North Carolina, but to our own teammates as well. Providing first-class, home-based health care and hospice services is some of the most spiritually fulfilling work humans can do for each other, and it’s also some of the most physically, mentally, and emotionally draining work as well.

HealthKeeperz team members give 100 percent of themselves to their patients, and we now need to give our best to each other. Since our mission is caring for all people for the glory of God, we need to include our own people in the definition of all. Thus, care for HealthKeeperz team members is a natural outflow of our mission.

Since we believe that caring for our team members is a high priority for the expanded HealthKeeperz, we have started a Barnabas Caring Team—named after our Barnabas Culture that honors employee selflessness, caring, humility, and encouragement—to more effectively care for each other.

The newly-created Barnabas Caring Team has a simple mission itself: to identify needs among employees and address them effectively.  The Barnabas Caring Team implements caring activities, such as managing emergency assistance and home repair funds, marriage retreats, local disaster relief, prayers for a team member, and much more.

The goal of the Barnabas Caring Team is to identify physical, emotional, and spiritual needs that employees, their families, and their neighbors--the community—may have.  To guide the work of our Barnabas Caring Team, we use the caring matrix pictured.

As with any other aspect of our business, we believe we can have the highest impact with our Barnabas Caring Team efforts by measuring that impact and effectiveness, so that we continue to maximize the human benefit of our resources. The Barnabas Caring Team is comprised of nine members of the HealthKeeperz team, one person representing each of the organization’s benefits.  

Special thanks to our consulting firm, His Way at Work, for guiding us through the process of developing our Barnabas Caring Team.

Many of you in the community reach out to me to thank me and give me great feedback on the care that members of our team have delivered to you personally, or your friends and family members. I know that all of you are deeply invested in the well-being of those who give so much to you during the course of providing your medical care or seeing your family through end-of-life situations with grace and dignity. It’s my pledge to you to keep you updated on both our efforts and the impact of the Barnabas Caring Team in the lives of our beloved team members at HealthKeeperz.