Bravery during a devastating flood that threatened a facility’s residents and staff members earned one long-term care executive a unique honor.
Jody DePriest, regional vice president of Pathway South, recently was given the first ever “Hometown Hero Award” by the Louisiana Nursing Home Association.
The distinction honors long-term care professionals who “exhibited on-the-job courage, strength, selflessness and compassion during an emergency or disaster.” DePriest received plaudits during the LNHA convention and trade show in September in this, the award’s first year.
DePriest leads his company’s emergency preparedness program. His skills were put to the test during a devastating 2016 flood that threatened the Flannery Oaks Guest House, a 130-bed skilled nursing facility in Baton Rouge.
Officials noted that he worked closely with nursing facility staff, administrators, local authorities and state authorities during the flood, and also ensured communication between the groups remained up-to-date. In addition, he was the last to evacuate the facility after helping each resident and staff member to safety.
DePriest’s “dedication and sacrifice to keep residents safe and comfortable at all times is inspiring and commendable,” praised Pathway South President Earl Thibodaux.
From the November 2019 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
