Posted on October 7, 2025
These paragraphs are shortened versions of the original nominations.
As a Quality Coordinator, Clay Bowden plays a vital role in ensuring Penn-Mar’s services meet the highest standards. He conducts site assessments across Maryland to maintain compliance and also supports people with essential benefits such as Medicare, Medical Assistance, Social Security, and taxes. Clay’s work as a trainer in Person-Centered Support and Trauma and Relationships has made him especially well-known among team members. His engaging style, warmth, and deep knowledge make his trainings memorable and impactful, with many colleagues expressing how much they look forward to learning from him.
Clay’s commitment goes beyond his daily responsibilities. Recently, when challenges with EDD funding left some people we support at risk of losing their services, Clay took it upon himself to pursue solutions. He contacted EDD directly, met with families, collaborated with service coordinators, and followed every possible lead to help restore services and funding. He spent countless hours outside his normal scope of work, ensuring that people received the support they deserved.
Clay embodies Penn-Mar’s core values through his integrity, determination, and compassion. He is admired for his persistence, his ability to simplify complicated processes, and his willingness to advocate for people when the stakes are high. His dedication has made a real difference in the lives of people supported and has strengthened Penn-Mar as an organization.
For several years, Jimmy Castle has supported a young man in Penn-Mar’s day program, and his impact has been profound. Parents describe him as one of the most positive influences their son has ever had. Through consistent guidance and redirection, Jimmy has helped him develop socially appropriate behaviors, reduce anxiety, and gain confidence both at the program and in the community.
Jimmy’s calm and steady approach allows those he supports to feel secure even in challenging moments. He has introduced new opportunities like horseback riding and swimming at the YMCA, helping his participant experience activities that once seemed out of reach. These experiences have opened doors to greater independence and joy.
Families deeply value Jimmy’s reliability, open communication, and willingness to share strategies that work. His patience, kindness, and genuine care embody Penn-Mar’s mission and values. Jimmy makes a lasting difference not only in the life of the person he supports but also in the peace of mind of his family.
Liz Dauberman shows up with heart, even in the hardest seasons. When her team faced uncertainty and change, she stepped in and carried the weight of two jobs while adjusting to a brand-new role. Through it all, she demonstrated humility, grace, and quiet strength.
That same spirit shines in everything Liz does. Whether she is supporting at the Gala or Golf Tournament, welcoming a new team member, or helping someone regain their footing, Liz creates a sense of calm and belonging wherever she goes. During a particularly challenging time for her and the LISS team, Liz continued to show up with steadiness and care. She accepted new responsibilities without complaint, carried the torch from a colleague, and trained others to succeed after her.
Liz never seeks the spotlight, yet her impact is clear to all who work with her. She makes people feel welcomed and supported by living Penn-Mar’s core values and mission each day. Her dedication is a powerful example of why she is so deserving of this HEART Award.
Barbara Green, known to many as Nurse Barb, has shown extraordinary dedication since becoming Penn-Mar’s sole nurse in late 2024. She doubled her caseload without hesitation, continuing to provide the highest quality care to the people supported. She is deeply engaged in the homes, working side by side with staff to refresh procedures and provide hands-on training.
Her person-centered approach was especially clear when a gentleman faced an extended hospital stay. Barb remained in close contact with his care team and family and guided the transition to hospice care at home. Thanks to her careful planning and advocacy, he eventually graduated from hospice and began regaining his independence. It was a powerful reminder of the difference her compassion and expertise can make.
Barb is a trusted colleague with an open-door policy. Whether a DSP has a question or a person supported needs someone to listen, she offers guidance with warmth and patience. She has become an anchor for both staff and families, raising the standard of care across Penn-Mar. Her integrity, empathy, and resilience make her a true embodiment of Penn-Mar’s mission and values.
Gina Green is a shining example of Penn-Mar’s commitment to person-centered support. Her advocacy, especially during critical moments, has made a lasting difference. When one of the people she supports was hospitalized and not receiving the quality of care he deserved, Gina spoke up and did not stop until his needs were met. Her persistence and courage ensured that his dignity and well-being were respected.
Gina is also admired for her leadership. She balances administrative responsibilities with direct care, always making herself available to team members and families. With her open-door policy, attentive listening, and genuine appreciation for others, she creates a culture where people feel valued and supported. Gina builds strong, trusting relationships across teams and departments, and her collaborative style promotes unity and excellence.
Her ability to lead with empathy while maintaining a strong focus on quality has made her a trusted colleague and role model. Gina embodies Penn-Mar’s mission by lifting up those around her, fostering inclusion, and ensuring people supported live with dignity and purpose.
Wendy Grove makes Penn-Mar a better place simply by being herself. Known for her kindness and positivity, she has a gift for making others feel welcome and included. She carries that spirit into all of her work, consistently going above and beyond her role in the Day Program to help wherever she is needed.
Wendy steps in to provide transportation, picks up shifts in residential homes, and brings steady support to colleagues and people alike. What sets her apart most is the deep, personal connections she builds. She recognizes the unique interests of each person and finds creative ways to honor them. For one gentleman, she arranged a trip to Mt. Gretna Beach to combine his love for water and building things with a day full of joy and discovery.
Her dedication embodies Penn-Mar’s core values of integrity, collaboration, excellence, innovation, and appreciation. Wendy celebrates small victories, lifts the energy of those around her, and ensures that the people she supports feel valued and empowered.
Helen Kitchen is a cornerstone of her team and a true reflection of Penn-Mar’s mission and values. Known for her integrity and empathy, she has earned a reputation as someone who can always be counted on. Helen consistently goes above and beyond her role, offering her time and energy whenever programs need extra support.
When one program lost nearly all of its staff, Helen stepped in to cover multiple shifts, including weekends. Her steady presence brought stability to the home, reassured the people supported, and helped create an environment where new team members could feel confident joining. She also assists fellow program managers with administrative work, mentors others with patience, and shares her knowledge generously.
Helen’s positive spirit and “never give up” attitude have made a lasting impact. Her leadership, kindness, and willingness to step in wherever she is needed foster a culture of belonging and trust.
Michelle Lewis is known for her patience, honesty, and ability to build trust. As a supervisor, she not only manages her responsibilities but also supports other homes and teams whenever help is needed. She often works long hours without complaint, demonstrating collaboration and commitment in action.
One powerful example of her dedication occurred when Michelle was mistakenly called to the Day Program under the assumption that she was on call. Even though she was not, she immediately responded. When a person resisted going to the hospital despite a serious medical concern, Michelle built enough trust that he agreed to go only if she drove him. She stayed with him until his care was secured, showing how far she is willing to go to ensure safety and well-being.
Michelle is admired for her honesty, her outspokenness, and her strong work ethic. She consistently makes her team feel included, respected, and supported. Her leadership reflects Penn-Mar’s mission in action and shows the extraordinary impact of her care.
Aram Maldonado was nominated by Jean, a community member who witnessed firsthand the impact of his work. Jean shared that she has watched Aram support Kenny at the North Carroll Senior Center, where she is also an attendee. She noticed how Aram encourages Kenny to try new things and helps him connect with others at the center. Through introductions, club participation, and group activities, Aram makes sure Kenny feels included and supported. Jean remarked how meaningful it was to see Kenny join a woodworking class with hand-over-hand support from Aram, ensuring he could be involved every step of the way.
Jean also noted that Aram’s efforts go beyond one person. By modeling inclusion and connection, he raises awareness among others at the senior center, encouraging them to make their activities more welcoming for everyone. His quiet leadership has helped build a stronger, more inclusive community.
At Penn-Mar, Aram lives out the core values of integrity, excellence, collaboration, and appreciation. He treats every action and interaction as an opportunity to help people pursue their best lives. Aram’s presence not only enriches the lives of those he directly supports but also inspires those around him to see each person’s dignity and worth.
Tiana Morrill demonstrates excellence through her collaborative spirit and attention to detail. She consistently goes beyond her daily responsibilities to make sure people supported can live fully and safely. One example was her work coordinating with another organization so that a woman she supports could spend meaningful time with her boyfriend. In another instance, she realized that a person’s medication needs would not be covered during a vacation and immediately made arrangements to resolve the issue, ensuring the trip could move forward without worry.
Tiana is also a steady resource for her colleagues. She provides training and guidance when needed and is quick to step in with encouragement and support. Her thoughtful approach strengthens her team while keeping the focus on quality care.
Her initiative and person-centered approach are clear in every action. Tiana’s reliability, problem-solving, and dedication reflect Penn-Mar’s mission in action and make her a trusted colleague and advocate.
Olu Obadina is recognized for his tireless work ethic, compassion, and commitment to the people he supports. He rarely turns down a request for help and is known for treating every person with dignity and respect. From personal care to emotional encouragement, Olu brings professionalism and kindness that helps people feel comfortable and valued.
His dedication shows most clearly when he fills in during emergencies. Families and people supported take comfort in knowing that someone they trust will be there, and Olu makes sure their routines stay as normal as possible. He balances attentiveness with respect for independence, giving people the confidence to live their lives fully while knowing support is always available.
Olu’s presence strengthens every team he joins. Colleagues appreciate his calm, steady approach and his willingness to lend a hand wherever it is needed. His positivity and fairness create an environment where both staff and people supported feel respected. Through his actions, Olu demonstrates the heart of Penn-Mar’s mission every day.
Alaba Owolabi has shown true commitment to the people we support and to Penn-Mar as a whole. She often steps in to accept on-call responsibilities when her peers need time off, all while managing the responsibilities of her own program. Recently, she was covering her program and another while on call when a third program faced an unexpected need. Without hesitation, Alaba stepped in to support both the team members and the people there. Her steady presence was a comfort to everyone and ensured that no one was left without care.
Alaba models Penn-Mar’s values in the way she builds strong, lasting relationships across residential programs. She collaborates regularly with colleagues outside her own team, which allows her to step in seamlessly when extra help is needed. Because she takes the time to know people and invest in trust, she can provide meaningful support right away.
Her willingness to help no matter what she already has on her plate shows her selflessness and care for others. Alaba is respected not only for her leadership and problem-solving but also for the encouragement she offers to everyone around her. She is a valued colleague whose dedication reflects the very heart of Penn-Mar.
Nichoal Raimondi has stepped into leadership in her program by supporting new team members with patience, initiative, and pride in her work. She has become the go-to person for mentoring staff in medication administration. Using her own memory tools to master the 15 steps, she has trained others to feel confident and avoid errors, strengthening safety for the people supported.
Her leadership extends beyond training. When shifts become hectic, Nichoal is quick to organize tasks, create a plan, and keep the team moving forward. She is also committed to building meaningful experiences in the community. She plans outings with care, making sure medications are ready and nothing gets in the way of the day. By doing so, she helps ensure that people supported can enjoy opportunities fully and without interruption.
Nichoal is admired for her ability to jump into challenging situations, collaborate with colleagues, and put the needs of people first. She embodies Penn-Mar’s values by lifting others up, whether that means mentoring a coworker, solving problems on shift, or planning new experiences for the people she supports.
Melanie Weaver is known for her consistency, optimism, and creativity in supporting people to live their best lives. She often goes above and beyond, such as when she rearranged her schedule to camp in the backyard with someone experiencing their first night outdoors. She looks for opportunities that expand experiences and bring joy in ways that are meaningful to each person.
Melanie also contributes to the strength of her team. She shares ideas during meetings, suggests adaptive equipment that improves safety, and adjusts her schedule to support both colleagues and the people in her care. Her flexibility and collaboration make her a valued team member.
Her considerate nature and positive outlook lift the morale of those around her and ensure the people she supports feel respected and included. Melanie’s dependability and heart for others are evident in every aspect of her work.