Shining Star Recognition: Thank a Special Caregiver from VNA SoCal

Shining Star Recognition Program

Thank a Special Caregiver

Profile of A Shining Star

Freddy Rodriguez, a beloved caregiver with VNA Private Duty, and Martha Estes, Manager of VNA Private Duty Care

Freddy has been a VNA private duty caregiver for ten years. Recently, a very grateful client and his wife recognized Freddy as their “Shining Star” because they are so appreciative of the care Freddy provided.

“He is respectful and responds to my husband’s health challenges with professionalism, understanding, patience, and kindness. As well as our regularly scheduled visits, Freddy is always willing to extend himself to help out when a need arises. He has graciously accompanied us to the LA County Fair and the botanical gardens in Claremont. His presence made it possible for me to relinquish some of my responsibilities as my husband’s caregiver for that period and freed us up to just enjoy ourselves. We are blessed to have Freddy in our lives; he is very dear to us.”

Note: In addition to all the client care needs that Private Duty caregivers provide in the home, they also accompany clients to weddings, funerals, family celebrations, or special outings. Our caregivers do not provide transportation but are trained to assist or transfer clients into cars.

Thank a Special Caregiver Through the Shining Star Recognition Program

Honor an exceptional VNA SoCal Caregiver and share your story by acknowledging someone who made a difference. Express your appreciation for a particular physician, nurse, social worker, chaplain, home health aide, or volunteer through the VNA SoCal’s Shining Star program. Our Shining Star program offers families a way to say “thank you” with a charitable gift. Your VNA SoCal Shining Star will be notified of your donation and will receive a custom-crafted Shining Star lapel pin to wear as a symbol of pride in service, and recognized by his/her supervisor.

As a nonprofit organization, VNA SoCal supports the community with our Charitable Care Fund and Claremont Hospice Home opening in 2018. A tax-deductible gift through VNA SoCals’s Shining Star program enables us to assist patients with limited financial resources.

“Although the days are busy and the workload is always growing, there are still those special moments when someone says or does something and you know you’ve made a difference in someone’s life. That’s why I became a nurse.”

— Diane McKenty

Honor a Shining Star

If you would like to honor your own special caregiver or have questions about the program,
please call at 909-447-7333 or email at development@vnasocal.org.

  • I still think about how much you livened things up with your visits! The beagles just loved you, and you really knew how to talk to Dad! We were the luckiest family in the world to have you as our nurse!

    Joan F. VNA So Cal Shining Star
  • My daughter was on hospice since birth. She had a chromosomal disorder that affected her heart and doctors had given her few hours to live after birth. We were sent home with Hospice and I am at peace that it was VNA who came with us... Every time I called VNA, they would treat me with care and dignity. They would come to our home at any time during day or night. I cannot count the many times we called; they would come and check on my daughter, treated her with love and compassion and they would call doctors to consult whenever necessary. Our love and the advice of the VNA doctors, nurses, social workers and all people who work there help to give my family the opportunity to enjoy few months with our precious daughter. What I can tell you, as a mother, is that VNA did more than I was expecting from a hospice facility.

    Karen G.
  • Wow, Angels sent from God! We just signed up with this service that is more than accommodating and very understanding of my 91 yr old grandmother. It is completely covered through her medical insurance and that alone is amazing in this day and age. But the people and nurses and doctor are the most wonderful people thus far. I am some grateful and I know we are blessed!

    Crystal S.
  • December 30, 2017 During September, October, and November 2017, I was under the care of VNA Hospice in Upland (VNA Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern California). Without exception, I found their employees to be caring and encouraging people. I recently sent a donation of $500 to VNA, which I trust will provide someone else with the type of care I received.

    Sandra D.
  • Michelle, Kim, Emma, Tom, Diana, and Hilary: thank you so much for making Steve’s life comfortable until our Lord called him home, you made it all happen. And the blanket really made him happy. Thank you all so much for all you did to comfort Steve, it means so much to us. Thank you to all…

    Susan
  • To all the dear people at VNA Hospice, it was five years ago November when my precious husband Kenneth passed away. I will never forget the wonderful men and women who graced our home with their care and compassion for Kenny and for me, I called them angels. May you and all your “angels” continue your compassionate care and love for the afflicted and their families. With much love and appreciation, I thank you!

    JoEllen J.
  • Dear staff members, I just wanted to extend my sincere thanks to all of you for your time and loving care when taking care of my mother, Connie R, during the past months. Everyone with whom both she and I dealt with was very compassionate, professional and understanding. Your patience with both of us was so much appreciated. I have now had hospice in my parents’ home twice, and both times you all showed a true love of your professions. Thank you, again.

    Claudia B.
  • We have no words to describe our profound gratitude for your kindness, professionalism, and support during this chapter of Jennifer's journey. Our lives will never be the same, but the part you played made it somewhat easier. Thank you again… And again… And again!

    Linda P. VNA So Cal Hospice Care for Jennifer P.
  • Thank you for supporting my mother and her family during hospice care, her passing, and funeral. It was quite helpful to have your support, especially for those of us around the country unable to be present with her. Wishing your staff peace and God's blessings.

    Jou Y. VNA So Cal Chaplain
  • Chaplain Scott, our family would like to thank you so very, very much for the loving kindness and compassion that you have shown to our mom and our family! We are also grateful and honored that you are such a big part of mom's relationship with the Lord! From our entire family, thank you, and may God bless you abundantly.

    Nancy B. VNA So Cal Chaplain
  • I am very, very grateful for the advice you gave me, the home health aide, the respite care and compassionate care you and your staff gave to my husband, John, during his time with VNA Hospice & Palliative Care Southern California. Thank you to everyone.

    June C. VNA So Cal Hospice Care/ Chaplain
  • Please accept this donation in memory of my father, Dick H. He passed away peacefully at home in February 2010 with the help of VNA Hospice & Palliative Care (San Bernardino Office). Nurses, Christina and Grace were so loving to my faithful father and so helpful to my two sisters, myself and our mother. The work you do is amazing. If other families feel half of the love we felt from you they would be blessed. Hopefully, this donation helps you continue your good work.

    Jennifer F. VNA So Cal Nurses
  • Thank you for all the great care and concern for Russell. Names are difficult for me to remember-but special people were Dave (RN) and Maria who enjoyed "singing" with him. Also, Junior took special care of Russ after he was bedridden-thankfully, for only a few days. You were all a help and a blessing to us both.

    Helen W. VNA So Cal Nurses
  • Added to our wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy new year is our sincere thanks for the excellent care you provided for our beloved daughter, Sally. Each person: chaplain, nurses, bathers, social worker, grief counselor, equipment and supply personnel gave us the support and care we needed during a sad and difficult time. Again, thank you and may you be blessed as you have blessed us!

    Karen L. VNA So Cal Team
  • A big thank you to the nurse that you sent out to see me today. The nurse was very informative, she took her time and explained everything she was doing and the reason, including the wound care. She made me feel comfortable and she was very caring. A very appreciative and big thank you to Eysha for her professional and caring patient care.

    M.G. VNA So Cal Home Health
  • I wanted to reach out to you and your staff for the amazing care my mom received this last weekend. Mom passed on Sunday, April 1. We called VNA the Friday before and had a wonderful, informative meeting with RN Carolyn Fasaskin. We left feeling that she was in good hands. When I met with RN Janene Decker on Sunday, April 1, I was so touched that she stayed, she answered all of my inane questions about mom and her care. She informed us of what was to come, the various stages of death, etc. I appreciated her kindness in the explanation. Sweet LVN Daniel Artega came to pronounce that my mom had passed, he explained the process and any other questions we had were answered (what a job!) To say they have a tough job would be highlighting what these nurses already know… But I for one appreciate and commend them for choosing this area of nursing… Because they are perfect please extend my sincere thank you to all three of them!

    Catherine F
  • I want to think VNA for their wonderful patient care and to especially recognize Sheila Lim, RN for her visit today with a patient referred to VNA. Sheila did a wonderful job with her assessment, medications were explained thoroughly and overall teaching was excellent. Kaiser Permanente receives patient feedback and the patient is very pleased and thankful and wants Sheila to return. Thank you, Sheila, for the awesome patient care!

    Virginia Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Supervisor
  • Thank you for your wonderful service and all the loving care you offer to those in hospice.

    Bob and Barbara S.
  • Thank you so much to all who helped me during my husband's illness. Our social worker and nurse were so kind and loving and caring for my husband. I am grateful for you and your kind hearts.

    Ramirez Family
  • Our family cannot adequately express our gratitude to all of you. Every single person we came in contact with was supportive, caring and kind. Edgar, J.R. and all of the people that came treated our father with dignity and respect.

    Kahlanbeck Family
Contact Us

Thank you for contacting VNA Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern California. We will get back to you soon as possible. Contact our 24-hour day call center at 1-800-969-4862 and a representative will be able to assist you immediately.