annual convention

FirstLight’s President and CEO surprised the winning caregiver in Southbury, CT

SOUTHBURY, Conn. — FirstLight Home Care, an award-winning provider of home care services, has named Susanne DiDonato as its National Caregiver of the Year.

Susanne was presented with the honor this week during a caregiver appreciation event at FirstLight Home Care’s Southbury, CT, office. She was nominated by our franchisees from Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven, John and Wenjun Richards.

“Sue has a profound ability to connect with every client she works with,” said John Richards. “She isn’t just a caregiver. We and her clients consider her family. Sue is also a true problem solver who consistently displays dignity and respect. Her warmth, patience, and how she engages with every client set her apart. This is not just a job for Sue, it is a calling.”

Caregiver of the Year nominations were received from FirstLight offices nationwide. Sue was selected from more than 7,000 caregivers employed by the FirstLight Home Care franchise system. Nominees were evaluated on service excellence, quality of caregiving skills and bringing the FirstLight culture to life. Susanne was one of three finalists this year.

FirstLight’s President and CEO, Glee McAnanly, traveled to the office in Connecticut to surprise Sue and present the prestigious award.

Franchise owners John Richards and Wenjun Richards and their dedicated care team have provided in-home care to adults in their community for nearly a decade. For more information, visit  Southbury.FirstLightHomeCare.com.

Annual event offers a wealth of education, networking, camaraderie and celebration

CINCINNATI — FirstLight Home Care recently honored franchisees, caregivers and team members at its annual conference in Orlando, FL. This year’s theme was “Living Our Values,” a message intended to highlight the core values the company lives every day, without compromise.

“We love coming together to help guide our franchisees and their businesses into the future and to celebrate all that they’ve done throughout the year for their clients, caregivers and communities,” said FirstLight President and CEO Glee McAnanly. “This was an incredible event with outstanding engagement among our franchisees and team members.”

The event provided opportunities for FirstLight franchise teams to strengthen relationships, build connections and share best practices through expert industry and franchisee panels and special sessions focused on helping franchisees own their communities and make the company’s core values actionable in their business.

Franchisees, team members recognized
Marketa “Kitti” Tikander, FirstLight Home Care of Southern Maine, was recognized as FirstLight’s National Caregiver of the Year for her compassion, integrity and genuine kindness.

FirstLight honored Franchisee of the Year, Mark Paretchan, owner of FirstLight Home Care of Marin County and Sonoma County for outstanding client satisfaction, quality of service, caregiver retention and year-over-year revenue growth.

Dan Paluga of Greater Ann Arbor and Canton, MI, received Rookie of the Year, an award given to a first-time franchise owner who achieves the highest hours per week of care within their first 12 months of operation.

The company’s inaugural Founders’ Award honored Judy DeVincentis of Pueblo, CO, for her ongoing dedication to the mission and values that have made FirstLight what it is today.

Other awards included:
Quality Assurance

• Lyndon and Marianne Christman, multiple territories in Central Ohio
• Ken and Mary Ellen Fleming, multiple territories in Greater Charlotte, NC and Rock Hill, SC
• Keith and Raelene Plummer, Northwest Arkansas and South Tulsa, OK

Top Single Territory

• Jeremy Fellows, Don Fellows and Jeffrey Lamborne, Grand Rapids, MI

Top Multi-Unit Territory

• Don and Craig Randall, multiple territories in South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida