Brio Living Services Team Members Honored at 2024 LeadingAge Michigan Awards Gala
Brio Living Services is proud to announce that two of its team members and one of its volunteers were recently honored at the LeadingAge Michigan Member Awards Gala on April 30, 2024, held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Each award winner was nominated by their peers and selected by an esteemed group of committee members from among many nominations across the state. Over 170 people gathered to celebrate the elite group of 21 award winners and recognize their collective achievements.
With more than 25 years of human resources leadership in healthcare and senior living organizations, Brio Living Services’ Chief Human Resources Officer Michelle Baldwin Henderson received the LeadingAge Leadership in Action award. This honor recognizes an individual whose actions and leadership greatly enhance the work environment in their organization and the quality of life for residents in the entire community.
Under Henderson’s direction, Brio Living Services has earned certification as an Age-Friendly Employer and a Best and Brightest Company to Work For® in West Michigan and in the Nation. “Michelle is a firm believer and practitioner of a coaching culture, with a focus on valuing the whole person and developing and supporting each team member to be their best possible self,” said Brio’s President and CEO, Steve Fetyko. “Michelle is a true servant leader who ensures we keep our team members and the older adults we serve at the heart of all we do.”
A certified nursing aide, who chooses to remain anonymous, was honored with the LeadingAge Caring Spirit Award, which recognizes the achievements of frontline and direct care team members who have demonstrated exemplary service, personal commitment, and genuine care for older adults.
“With their long tenure as a team member at Brio Living Services, they do not seek accolades, but humbly serve as a role model for the rest of our skilled nursing team,” said Trisha Watkins, Porter Hills Village’s Nursing Home Administrator. “They always do their best to make our residents happy and give great care. Caring for our residents is not just a job, but a calling. We are so grateful for their caring spirit.”
Sherri Rizzo, independent living resident at Brio’s Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC), was named Volunteer of the Year for significantly enhancing and enriching the lives of older adults and for making a positive impact on the organization.
CRC’s Executive Director Kathy Russell said, “Sherri is a trusted volunteer at CRC, across our entire campus and, in doing so, has brought joy and purpose to so many of our residents. From helping with life enrichment events and making visits with her therapy dog, to restoring a teak wood bench in CRC’s Chapel Meditation Garden, and creating monthly themed cabinet displays across our campus including our residents’ treasured collectibles, Sherri sees what matters to individuals and what is important to them. She means so much to our life enrichment team, our community, and our residents and is so deserving of this award!”
Said Fetyko, “All of us at Brio Living Services congratulate these three individuals honored for all they do to bring vitality and joy to those we serve across our organization.”
LeadingAge Michigan extends heartfelt congratulations to Brio Living Services and its awardees for their continued excellence and mission-based care, as well as the quality work to better the lives of older adults in the state of Michigan! To learn more about the 2024 Awards Gala and other award honorees, visit the 2024 Awards Gala Program or visit LeadingAge MI’s YouTube Channel to view the awards video.
Learn more about Brio Living Services, join our team for a career you’ll love, or learn about volunteer opportunities at MyBrio.org.