
2020 AccentCare Culture Awards Ceremony
Compassion, Integrity, Resilience, and Teamwork are the Core Values that represent AccentCare. They shape us as an organization and as individuals.
This year is unlike any other, the pandemic has impacted each and every one of us. However, over the last several months, we have proven to overcome these challenges, and trust our leadership team and training. That’s why it’s important to recognize and honor individuals who answered their Call to Purpose by awarding them an AccentCare Culture Award. It’s just one of the many ways we express our gratitude for those who make our days a little brighter.
Congrats & Kudos from your AccentCare Family
Let’s celebrate together, even though we’re far apart. If you’re an AccentCare employee, go to the AccentCare Today, ACT, app and share your photos and videos of your at-home watch party, along with videos and notes of congratulations to our 2020 AccentCare Culture Award winners!
Don’t have the ACT app? Text “accentcare” to 900-900, and you’ll receive a link to download ACT.
If you need assistance or you’re not an AccentCare employee and would like to share your Culture Awards watch party pics or kudos to our winners, please email communications@accentcare.com.
Past Culture Award Winners
click on the date below to meet the previous culture award winners.

Cassie Adams, RN
TENURE AT ACCENTCARE
Two years
EDUCATION
Northeast Texas Community College
Credentials/Licenses: Registered Nurse
PROFESSIONAL GOALS
Continue to try and succeed at instilling leadership and confidence into my team.

Esther Rullan
TENURE AT ACCENTCARE
3+ years
EDUCATION
Associates Business Administration – Eastern New Mexico State University-Roswell, NM
Certificate Computer Accounting – Southwestern Business College-Roswell, NM
PROFESSIONAL GOALS
My goal is to always “grow our business”! I also continuously work to expand my professional knowledge, strengthen our community relationships, work hard, and put forth my best effort. That itself opens up more opportunities.

Gail Ferreira, RN
TENURE AT ACCENTCARE
10 + years
EDUCATION
Associates of Nursing, RN
PROFESSIONAL GOALS
To continue providing Hospice care as a nurse for as long as I can.

Jose Alvarez, PT
TENURE AT ACCENTCARE
2 years and 8 months
Credentials/Licenses: Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist
PROFESSIONAL GOALS
Possibly go back to college and get my PhD.

Lori Samuel, RN
TENURE AT ACCENTCARE
11 years
CREDENTIALS/LICENSES
RN/Certified Hospice Palliative Nurse
PROFESSIONAL GOALS
I want to prefect my role as Executive Director, then I would like to pursue the educational side of Hospice. I’d like to consider becoming a surveyor and offer my expertise on Hospice.
When I retire, I will write a book on my life as a Hospice RN/CM.

Rene Newland, RN
TENURE AT ACCENTCARE
1 year, 2 months
EDUCATION
2011-2015 RN Holmes Community College
1982-1983 LPN Jones Junior College
PROFESSIONAL GOALS
Continue to do my job to the best of my ability, and ensure that my patients are as satisfied and as comfortable as possible.
I am the type of person who can blend in with any situation. I do my best to talk with and treat patients on a level that they can understand.

Roman Pienkowski, RN
TENURE AT ACCENTCARE
2 years in January 2020
Credentials/Licenses: RN, BS
PROFESSIONAL GOALS
I would like to attain a nurse practitioner license

Theresa Buntyn, RN
TENURE AT ACCENTCARE
17 years
EDUCATION
ADN Meridian Community College 1981 BSN University Medical Center 2000
Credentials/Licenses: ICD 10 Coding Certification HCS-D, Oasis certification COS-C, Gerontology Certified
PROFESSIONAL GOALS
Continuing with my coding and OASIS certification, increase technology skills, and focus on continuing education related to home health reimbursement and regulation changes.

Angel Kim
Account Executive, Home Health, Lawrenceville, GA
” Angel is patient-focused and always communicates and educates families along the way. She has compassion and understanding of how complicated the system can be for families and patients.”

Rashonda Prophet
Associate Director, Personal Care Services, Houston, TX
“Rashonda cares deeply about our clients and our staff. Her empathetic nature is a strength in resolving conflict or performance issues. She willingly inserts herself into any situation and makes every effort to understand the points of view of all involved.”

Yessica Aldana
Operations Manager, Personal Care Services, Bronx, NY
“Yessica never quits, no matter how big the challenge… I have seen her work for weeks on end to resolve issues for our patients, no matter how much red tape there may be.”

Michele Thompson
Licensed Vocational Nurse, Home Health, College Station, TX
“Michele is a true patient advocate and assesses each patient situation to get the patient cared for in a compassionate and timely manner.”

Doris Brown
Executive Director, Hospice, Houston, TX
“Doris is a team player. Even though a leader, when needed she participated in calls, admissions, visits, and night/weekend call. Her calm demeanor and humor kept us dedicated to the cause.”

Nancy Dunn
Senior HRIS Analyst, Corporate, Dallas, TX
“Nancy worked with me on the Workday transition. Even with many changes, she never made me feel stupid and took the time to show what was wrong and how to fix it, and still willingly helps when we identify a gap!”

Cindy Morton
Scheduler, Home Health, McKinney, TX
“Cindy goes ‘above and beyond’. She consistently responds in a timely manner to emails and text messages no matter what time of day. She goes to any length to fix errors or unexpected challenges even when they are not her responsibility.”

Dar Nelle Wright
Clinical Supervisor, Medical Home Care, San Diego, CA
“Dar Nelle ensures the field staff members she supervises are supported unconditionally. She will go to a patient’s home at any hour of the day or night so a nurse and patient feel comfortable.”

Shanna Franklin
Physical Therapist
Decatur, GA
Professional Goal
Conduct family genealogy study and eventually travel to countries of origin and continue studies for manual therapy. Specialty
“The most rewarding part of my job occurs at night. That’s when I put my head on the pillow and know that I have done the best I could to make someone’s life better. I made someone stronger, and I helped someone become a little happier.”

Stacy Tarrant
Hospice Social Worker
Austin, TX
Professional Goal
Continuing to learn and grow to get better at helping those in need.
“I’ve always had a servant and helper’s heart. This work allows me to use my education, knowledge, and skills while also allowing me to be myself.”

Dena Schwartz-Doty
Dallas Support Center
Dallas, TX
Professional Goal
Expand the Hospice Foundation concept to our other lines of business
“My proudest moment was getting the Hospice Foundation up and running.”

Deanna Montgomery
Clinical Supervisor, Home Health
Franklin, TN
Personal Goal
Visit Israel and do mission work with the last remaining Holocaust survivors.
“My passion is serving others, and nursing gives me the opportunity to do that.”

Michael Arenella
Brooklyn, New York
Director of Personal Care Services
Professional Goal
Obtain a Doctorate of Nursing Practice
“I love to be in the community, advocating for patients.”

Joseph Shiraishi
Assistant General Manager
Covina, California
Professional Goals
Keep learning new information and accept new opportunities provided by AccentCare
“The most rewarding part of my job is getting a family the full amount of nursing coverage needed.”

Delma Mitchell
Certified Diabetes Educator, RN, Home Health
Winona, MS
Professional Goal
Continue to take care of patients “one symptom at a time
“I love to be a guest in folks’ homes and hear their life stories. It is a reward to know that the education we give them will improve their quality of life and hopefully keep them at home.”

Lori Zaragoza
Scheduler, Home Health
College, TX
Fun Fact
Lori is an entrepreneur and the owner of LKZ Kreationz, a craft business that does wreath-making.
“The most rewarding part of my job is keeping field staff happy with their schedules while keeping productivity.”

Karen Wagner
Regional Director Operations, Personal Care Services
College Station, TX
Professional Goal
Obtain a Master of Business online
“I love knowing that I have had a hand in changing some of the lives in our communities by assisting them with care, finding a match for them in a Care Partner, being there for them when they need an ear, or helping them find placement when the time comes to move them from home to a facility.”