Community Cares Rx Honors Those Who Care For Others

LONG ISLAND, NY — Community Care Rx (CCRx), a Hempstead-based long-term care pharmacy, held its 2nd Annual DSP & Support Staff Awards on Nov. 17 at The North Hills Club in Manhasset.

The event recognized the region’s best direct support professionals (DSPs) and support staff for their dedication to improving the lives and health of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The 38 honorees play a vital role in the missions of many of the organizations that CCRx serves.

“We want to congratulate and thank all of the DSP and support staff honorees for their tireless, compassionate service and the dedication they bring to the healthcare profession each and every day,” said Hossam Maksoud, chairman and founder of CCRx. “They play a vital role in helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve greater independence, self-sufficiency and community inclusion.”

CCRx launched the DSP & Support Staff Awards program last year to recognize the dedication of these essential workers who risked their own health to care for their vulnerable clients throughout the pandemic. Because their hard work did not end with the pandemic, CCRx made a commitment to turn the awards into an annual program to highlight the important work that these caring, dedicated workers perform on an ongoing basis.

The honorees are:

Young Professional Award
Juliana Marquez - ACLD
Elijah Aaron - Rise Life Services

Healthcare Hero Award
Ana Ledesma - Partners Health Plan
Kenrey Shakes - Services for the UnderServed

Champion Leadership Award
Christine Mitchell - Block Institute
Ana Solorzano -Catholic Charities of Long Island
Christine Heinlein - Citizens Options Unlimited
Nadine Jackson - Constructive Partnerships Unlimited
Marica Fraser – EIHAB Human Services
Rose Monestime- Head Injury Association
Darlene Claus- Options for Community Living

DSP Excellence Award
Veronique Darelus - ACDS
Doug Nichol -ACHIEVE/NYSCARC
Davelle Coleman - AHRC Nassau
Kathy Stillwagon - AHRC Suffolk
Jessica Dubinsky - Association for Neurologically Impaired Brain Injury Children & Adults Inc.
Soledad Gracia - Atlantic ICF
Jerry Javier - Care Design of New York
Ulrica Daley- Community Resource Center for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc.
Sharlene St. Louis - Creative Lifestyles
Katheryn Sorto- Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI)
Yalonda Gilliam- East End Disability Associates
Olayemi Sanusi – EIHAB Human Services of New Jersey
Marva Smith- Family Residences & Essential Enterprises
Zina Streeter- Federation of Organizations
Yvette Bruton – Independent Living Association (ILA)
Juana Reyes - Human First, Inc.
Eboni Brown - Little Flower Children and Family Services of NY
Samatha Richardson – Lifespire
Claire Lubin - Marantha Human Services
Sonia Hyatt-Parkinson - Opengate
Jenny Nieves- Puerto Rican Family Institute
Latoya Darby - Queens Centers for Progress
Teresa Buckingham - SCO Family of Services/Madonna Heights
Vanessa Morgan - Special Citizens Futures Unlimited
Latarsha Banks - The New York Foundling
Nancy Robinson - Unique People Services
Deborah Thompson - United Cerebral Palsy