Please join us in congratulating the January 2025 Recognition Recipients!
Executive Director’s Recognition
The Executive Director’s Recognition is given to individuals who’s insight, efforts, and innovation elevate their program.
Please join us in congratulating the Sunshine Committee – the RISE event planning committee – as the January 2025 Executive Director’s Recognition recipients. The committee members include: Morga Murdza, Brooke Ackerknecht, Amy Perkins, Tammy Burke, Lindsey Connors and Brendan Myers.
We appreciate them for their exceptional efforts in bringing joy to our agency. Their dedication and creativity were truly showcased at our festive and exciting Christmas party, which brightened spirits and fostered a sense of community amongst our staff. Thank you for making such a positive impact!
Rise to the Occasion Recognition
The Rise to the Occasion Recognition is given to individuals who see a need within the agency and go above and beyond to fill that need.
Please join us in congratulation Andrew Hart, Hedgerow House Counselor, as the January 2025 Rise to the Occasion Recognition recipient.
Hedgerow House lost its AWAKE weekend overnight staff person and Andrew has stepped up to fill that need for the program. Andrew has done this while being new to the program and to his job. Andrew has consistently shown his willingness and cooperation to be a team player and not only do I appreciate this greatly so doesn’t his entire team. Thank You Andrew for all that you do.
Rise to the Extra Mile Recognition
The Rise to the Extra Mile Recognition is given to highly motivated individuals who go that extra mile in their job.
Please join us in congratulating Leisa Spakoski, Human Resources Assistant, as the January 2025 Rise to the Extra Mile Recognition recipient.
Processing Payroll has never been an easy “just push the button” kind of process, but Leisa does such a good job it may seem that way, to many employees. Each week, she scopes the system and pursues missing Timesheets so that the payroll deadlines are met. She troubleshoots each one for potential errors and asks questions when needed, to ensure an accurate paycheck is processed for each one of us. Leisa is careful to leave her co-workers notes when she feels they may be helpful on her Fridays off. She also plans her vacation dates around transmittal dates so that as our expert, she’s here.
This year, some of our check dates have conflicted with our paid holidays, so Leisa has rescheduled her days off to accommodate the payroll. She’s also volunteered to come in from one of her vacation days next week, just to meet payroll responsibilities. During Open Enrollment Leisa is a tremendous asset to the team, as she has an excellent knowledge of our benefit plans and can answer employee questions with a smile, in Brendan’s absence.
Leisa is also in charge of the background checks required to begin employment. She keeps excellent track of what was sent to which vendor and follows-up with them to ensure that nothing slips by, and new hires can start employment as soon as possible. Leisa is a key member of our team, and we all benefit greatly from her expert job knowledge of our payroll, policies, and procedures. She’s a hard worker and always does her very best. Thank you Leisa for managing all that you do and not letting anything slip through the cracks!
Staff on the Rise
Staff on the Rise is an employee recognition program which recognizes staff who possess an exemplary work ethic, excel on the job, are team players, and are an inspiration to others.
After years of exceptional work at Hedgerow House, our Executive Team was SO pleased to instate Nicole as the Director of RISE’s brand new 20 bed rehab facility: RISE Above. Nicole is not only an asset to RISE, but the recovery community as a whole, and is well-known and respected amongst her colleagues.
We so looking forward to seeing all the positive outcomes Nicole will orchestrate at RISE Above!
Nicole has been a true asset to the Hedgerow House Program for the past 8 years. The Hedgerow House team and I could not be prouder. We look forward to the great things that are to come from Nicole and couldn’t be more confident about her ability to get this new program off and running. The staff at Hedgerow House are all feeling very grateful that she is only a sidewalk away!
Read more about Nicole and her accomplishments in her Staff on the RISE Blog.