St. Andrews Home St. Andrews Home Health celebrated the agency's selection on the 2007 HomeCare Elite Top 100 list of the most successful home health agencies in the country on Thursday, February 28 at St. Andrews Village. Kathy Bean, R.N. and executive director (center) (Photo Lisa Kristoff)

It was a night of memories, laughter, pride and community on Thursday, February 28 as St. Andrews Home Health Care was locally acknowledged for its recent honor.

In October 2007, the agency was named to the HomeCare Elite Top 100 list as one of the most successful Medicare-certified home health agencies in the country.

This night, St. Andrews administrators, medical professionals, staff, volunteers and friends celebrated the honor as family.

Kathy Bean, R.N. and Executive Director of St. Andrews Home Health said, "What makes St. Andrews Home Health able to achieve the quality outcomes is the support of the board, CEO Peggy Pinkham, the physicians, staff and other departments that support the services we provide. This is really a celebration for the entire St. Andrews family."

The first speaker of the evening was Vicki Purgavie, Executive Director of the Home Care & Hospice Alliance of Maine.

The alliance is a statewide trade association that represents home care and hospice providers, of which St. Andrews Home Health is a member. The alliance's goal is to provide a unified voice for affordable, accessible, quality care throughout the state.

Purgavie delivered an overview of the obstacles that home care agencies continue to face; reductions in home health spending to the tune of $16 million, and two major payment system changes to Medicare benefits.

All told, the changes and reductions were so severe - more than $70 billion - that more than 30 percent of Maine's agencies closed their doors.

Purgavie referred to St. Andrews as "…resilient, pro-active and dedicated to their mission …"

"They are the smallest agency in the state and yet they have managed to rank among the top 100 home health care providers in the nation, said Purgavie.

In conclusion, she noted that the achievement was "in no small way a tribute to the leadership of Kathy Bean and the dedicated staff of St. Andrews Home Health."

Purgavie said it was a pleasure to work with Bean and presented her with jewelry - a pin of Dorothy's ruby slippers. A metaphor for both the agency and Miss Gale of Kansas know so well - there's no place like home.

State Representative Bruce MacDonald attended the event and presented Home Health with commendations from Governor John Baldacci and the Maine State Legislature.

Read MacDonald, "Congratulations on receiving this prestigious award recognizing the quality of care you provide to Maine citizens. In the competitive world of health care, you stand out as a shining example of dedication to the individuals you serve. Thank you for your leadership and for providing top-quality healthcare services; you truly represent the best of Maine."

The Legislature's comments reflected those of the governor and extended appreciation to St. Andrews Home Health for its commitment to the people in the state.

Teary-eyed CEO Peggy Pinkham told those assembled that she could not be more proud of the Kathy and the staff.

"This is what healthcare is all about - taking care of people in our community," Pinkham said. "I admire their spirit, dedication and commitment, they truly are a team who exemplify the values we hold all of our employees to."

The values Pinkham referred to are expressed with the acronym, HEARTS.

"H is for honesty, E is for excellence, A is for access, R is for respect, T is for teamwork and S is for service and safety," clarified Pinkham.

Tables displayed an abbreviated history of the agency through the use of photos and newspaper clippings. The agency's HomeCare Elite Top 100 plaque, buttons and literature about St. Andrews Home Health.

But, the real story could be observed in the caring, smiling faces of every medical professional and volunteer present.

St. Andrews Home Health, a community-oriented non-profit agency of consummate professionals, providing quality home health, and personal care, with warmth, respect, compassion and understanding for our neighbors - at home.