Maxim Healthcare Services Names National Caregiver of the Year Winner

COLUMBIA, Md., Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc., an established provider of home healthcare, medical staffing, and wellness services, announced today that Deborah "DJ" Elvers, a licensed vocational nurse at Maxim's Roseville, California, homecare office is the National Caregiver of the Year Award winner. DJ was honored by her colleagues and the Maxim leadership team during a special nurse's appreciation award ceremony last week. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130925/PH86527LOGO)

Since joining the Maxim family in April 2009, DJ has only been with one patient, and she has made that patient's safety and well-being her number one priority. When DJ's patient Jackson was brought home from the hospital on April 21, 2009 she was the first person waiting to see him. She wasn't scheduled to work that day, but she wanted to make sure that transition from hospital to home was safe and comfortable for Jackson and his family.

"When Jackson came home, he was a sick little boy.  He was on a ventilator, had oxygen, a tracheostomy, and a g-tube," wrote Jackson's mother, Marcie Grundmeyer in a letter to the Maxim Award Committee. "DJ helped Jackson throughout the last four years to get to where he is today."

Jackson is now off his ventilator, oxygen, and recently had his tracheostomy removed.

"There is no way Jackson's health could have improved so much without DJ here helping us both."

"We are so honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to our caregivers who are truly the heartbeat of Maxim," said Tim Kuhn, Chief Culture Officer. "DJ has worked with a warm heart and healing hands to positively impact the lives of her patient and his family and is more than deserving of national Caregiver of the Year title. She is truly an inspiration to everyone in the entire organization and we are so grateful to have her in the Maxim family."

"I feel now that I always want to be worthy of Maxim's choice as caregiver of the year. This award shows me the magnitude of compassion that Maxim and its leaders have for their patients and caregivers and it makes me want to give more and more," stated DJ, after learning that she won the national award. "Besides my wedding day, it was the best day of my life."

"The celebration of DJ's story is yet another step in our journey to create a culture at Maxim that places our direct care workforce at the center of everything we do.  At Maxim, we see DJ as representing the very best of our over 60,000 direct care team members; all of whom have dedicated their lives to caring, serving, and enriching the lives of everyone they touch. I speak for all of Maxim's leadership when I say that we are humbled  and honored to be on the same team as DJ, and her 60,000 peers," stated Brad Bennett, Chief Executive Officer for Maxim. "The Caregiver of the Year Award program provides positive experiences and thanks to caregivers and gives Maxim leaders the opportunity to personally show our respect and admiration to these deserving winners.

The Caregiver of the Year Awards program was established in 2011 and is designed to acknowledge and celebrate Maxim's nurses and aides for the outstanding work they do to deliver quality patient-centered care and service to millions of the world's most medically fragile and chronically ill patients.

As the winner, DJ received a cash prize and a trip to Maxim's headquarters in Maryland for the award ceremony and meet-and-greet with company leadership and employees. Nominations are currently underway for the next year's Caregiver of the Year Award program.

About Maxim Healthcare Services
Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc. provides home healthcare, medical staffing, and wellness services across the U.S. Founded in 1988, Maxim is focused on delivering quality patient care and a commitment to employee development with an emphasis on customer service. Today, Maxim is an established partner in the healthcare industry and is constantly evolving to address the needs of our patients, caregivers, and clients. We regularly research new markets, expand our geographical presence, and diversify our client services to stay in the forefront of the healthcare services industry. Our focus on quality patient care and compliance is the foundation for our success. Learn more about Maxim Healthcare Services, or get more information about available Maxim Healthcare positions.

Video with caption: "As part of an ongoing effort to create a patient-centered culture, Maxim Healthcare Services established its Caregiver of the Year program in 2011 to honor top nurses and aides for the outstanding care they provide to millions of medically fragile and chronically ill patients. This year, Maxim is proud to honor Deborah "DJ" Elvers of its Roseville, Calif., homecare office as its 2013 Caregiver of the Year. Watch how DJ's dedication to a young patient has helped inspire his incredible progress." Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIIUG9HUI70 

Image with caption: "Maxim Healthcare Services names Deborah "DJ" Elvers Caregiver of the Year". Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140127/PH53570

SOURCE Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc.