Posted on October 8, 2026
These paragraphs are shortened versions of the original nominations.
Christina Burkhardt received two nominations that show how willingly she shares her time and knowledge. When another program needed help, she spent months supporting its supervisor, strengthening practices, and bringing the program into regulatory compliance while managing her own responsibilities. She brought that same follow-through to a person whose ongoing challenges needed closer attention. Christina worked with his support team, pursued additional medical testing, and continued asking questions until new diagnoses helped explain his needs. She then coordinated appointments and prepared team members to provide more informed support. Helping someone live courageously starts with taking the time to understand them, especially when answers are difficult to find. Christina carries that responsibility into her relationships with the people we support and her colleagues, helping others feel better prepared and supported in their work.
Jonathan Collins has a way of helping people feel comfortable, whether through a shared joke, a word of encouragement, or his calm presence when things are difficult. When the person he supports needed hospital care, Jonathan stayed by his side and continued supporting him at home during recovery. He brought both the reassurance of a familiar relationship and the careful attention needed to help his team provide consistent care. His coworkers see that same generosity in his willingness to answer questions, share information, and lend a hand. Penn-Mar’s mission to support people to live courageously includes being there when life feels uncertain. Jonathan offers that support with patience, warmth, and respect, while still finding room for laughter. He knows what the person behind the care needs and helps him feel valued through it all.Â
When the local library’s ”Club Friendship“ was at risk of ending because of limited staffing, Dawn Findley stepped up to keep it going. She took the lead and welcomed people from agencies across Carroll County, preserving a place where they could enjoy activities, learn, and build friendships. Dawn understands how much those connections matter. She also customized a communication device for a gentleman she supports, helping him identify and greet others. With her encouragement and practice, he began initiating greetings on his own, proud to be the one starting a conversation. Â
Dawn, thank you for your leadership in helping the people you support be a true part of our community and for shining a positive light on Penn-Mar and our mission.  Â
Joseph Fockler takes people’s interests seriously and enjoys helping them see where those interests can lead. For one gentleman, that has meant practicing magic, visiting a local magic shop, and performing for others at the Day Program. Another person’s love of trains inspired “Train Thursday,” bringing people together to build tracks and share their enthusiasm. Joe has also helped the Penn-Mar Band grow from two participants into a group that welcomes anyone interested. These experiences give people opportunities to develop a skill, contribute something of their own, and build relationships around what they enjoy. That is Penn-Mar’s mission taking shape in everyday life, with people choosing what matters to them and finding the confidence to share it. Joe’s encouragement helps make room for each person’s talents and the possibilities that come with them.
Abby truly embodies Penn-Mar’s commitment to person-centered support through her intentional, engaging approach with the person she supports. When a gentleman she supports started talking about chicken, Abby followed his interest. Together, they explored recipes, and he chose Chicken Alfredo. She encouraged him to find the ingredients while shopping and work through the recipe, doing as much as he could independently. He proudly served his meal to others and, the following week, was ready to make chicken pot pie. Abby hopes to help him create a cookbook with photos of his accomplishments. This is what supporting someone to live courageously can look like: the chance to make choices, try something unfamiliar, and discover what you can do. Through her patience and encouragement, Abby helped a simple interest become a source of confidence, connection, and pride.
Kelly Gillispie saw a deadline approaching and knew people were counting on help. When Penn-Mar’s longtime accountant retired just before tax time, she reached out to her cousin’s accounting firm, Sturgill & Associates in Westminster. That connection led to the firm completing taxes for people we support in Maryland free of charge, addressing a pressing need and easing the burden on the team. Kelly made sure Development knew about the contribution and invited the firm to learn about Penn-Mar’s Golf Classic. Kelly recognized a need for the people we support and our team, and used her relationships to find a solution. The gracious, welcoming care she shows people at Penn-Mar reached into the community and gave a new partner a meaningful way to help.Â
Janine Harris knows how much courage an everyday step can take. A gentleman she supports once needed someone beside him to move through much of the Day Program because of anxiety. Janine patiently built a relationship with him, offering encouragement as he became more comfortable navigating on his own. Each independent trip is something she celebrates, making sure he knows his progress matters. That attention carries into the activities she plans around people’s interests and the holidays she has worked so those away from family could enjoy a special day. She also makes time to encourage newer team members. Janine helps people live courageously by building the trust that makes trying feel possible. Her pride in their accomplishments reminds them that their efforts are noticed and that someone believes in what they can do.
Jennifer Hisey’s coworkers call her a visionary because she often sees a way to make something happen before anyone else does. Her question is simple: “How can we make this possible?” When Jen organized an art heist mystery at the Day Program, she brought Day and Residential team members into the fun, recruited an unlikely “thief,” and gave the people we support a mystery to solve together. She also brought Medieval Times to the gym, complete with costumes, games, and a royal coronation. Behind those creative ideas is Jen’s belief that everyone deserves opportunities to participate, explore, and belong. She puts Penn-Mar’s mission into practice by opening up new experiences and encouraging others to help make them happen. Her enthusiasm gives people a reason to join in and helps teams discover what they can accomplish together.
After more than 50 years in the field, Gerald McKinnon still takes the time to learn what matters to each person he supports. Whether they are heading out to fish or enjoying another favorite activity, he builds relationships that help people feel known and valued. He also notices what could make everyday life better. When a table was damaged, Gerald refinished it and created a protective cover with a lip to better support the people using it. His coworkers receive that same care through check-ins, reassurance during long shifts, and help when they need it. Supporting people begins with understanding them and being someone they can count on. Gerald brings that commitment to his work in thoughtful, practical ways, showing how much it matters to keep paying attention to one another.
Natina Newsome saw a year’s worth of photos and an opportunity to celebrate the people in them. Using her graphic design talents and the free version of Canva, she spent countless hours creating the 2025 PMC Day Learning Center Yearbook. She selected photos, edited content, and designed pages that captured accomplishments, friendships, and shared experiences. The project went well beyond her everyday DSP responsibilities, but Natina wanted to make something people and their families could enjoy. Penn-Mar’s mission comes to life in those pages through people trying new things, expressing themselves, and building relationships. Her work gives families another way to see and celebrate those experiences. With the creativity, humor, and care her teammates know well, Natina created a lasting reminder that each person’s story deserves attention and that there is much to be proud of.
Savannah Couch and Megan Odegaard knew something wasn’t right when a gentleman they supported in employment began experiencing changes in his speech and balance. He lived independently, and his family lived out of state, so understanding what was happening took patience, communication, and a willingness to look beyond his needs at work.Â
Over several months, Savannah and Megan worked closely with him, his employer, and his family. As possible causes were explored and ruled out, they kept advocating for answers and making sure his health concerns received attention. Their responsibilities focused on employment, but they recognized that his well-being needed a broader circle of support.Â
An eventual diagnosis of ALS brought difficult news. It also gave him, his family, and his support team a clearer understanding of what was happening and an opportunity to plan for his changing needs. Savannah and Megan helped connect them with Penn-Mar resources and kept his family informed and involved during an uncertain time.Â
They paid attention, followed through, and helped bring the right people together. Because of their shared commitment, this gentleman and his family had people they could turn to as they faced difficult decisions and prepared for what came next.Â