The winner of the 2024 Award of Excellence in Home Health Winner is Katarzyna Barkley, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, National Church Residences Home Health Central Ohio!
The Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice awards program recognizes individuals for their exemplary service and care in the home care and hospice field. Additionally, OCHCH awards special recognition to allies in the legislature that support a patient’s right to receive care in the comfort of their home. Nominations for future awards can be submitted at this link.
The Award of Excellence recognizes a licensed professional who is outstanding in his/her field. This nominee must have at least three years of experience in home care or hospice patient care (past or present position) and must be currently employed by a member agency. Nominations may include personnel currently in administrative or supervisory positions. Awards are given to one individual in Home Health, and one in Hospice.
Kat is truly a one-of-a-kind Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant whose unwavering commitment and passion make her an exemplary candidate for this accolade. Katarzyna Barkley immigrated to the US from Poland in 2003 with the desire to be a police officer. It wasn’t until a family member, Carol Barkley, introduced her to the idea of Occupational Therapy that Kat’s passion was ignited. Kat attended an evening OTA program while working FT as a corrections officer in a state prison. Upon completion, she worked at Wexner Heritage Village where she honed in on her craft and passion for OT, strengthened by the opportunity of working with many European immigrants that resided there. In 2016 Kat was introduced to National Church Residences where she gravitated to the mission of the organization and bridged her passion for serving the elderly. And as they say, the rest is history.
You will often find Kat teaching classes to the elderly at senior living communities, training new hires, helping in multiple branches as well as working the floor as a PCA in assisted living campuses when they are short. Kat’s reputation among clients and co-workers is that of a tireless worker, high-energy, and a positive light. Kat loves her job so much because for her this is the essence of Occupational Therapy. Kat would describe this as getting to take the patient as a whole in their home environment, their culture, habits, likes/dislikes, and build a plan to help them be most effective, safe, and successful in their life. She wants her clients to live their life to the fullest. Kat embodies the core values of care, hard work, and fun, making her not only a remarkable occupational therapy assistant but also an inspiration to us all.
Nominated by Victoria Barkin, LNHA, MBA, CDP
Regional Director of Operations, National Church Residences
