2011 Spring Excellence in Service Winners

CALA is pleased to recognize the outstanding dedication and exemplary service provided to Assisted Living residents and proudly recognizes the following northern California Excellence in Service Award recipients:

Outstanding Caregiver – Aegean Bayongan

Aegean Bayongan is a two-year medication technician who hails from the Philippines. Although diminutive, she's described as having the energy and positive force of a giant. Aegean is self-motivated and takes great pride in her work, performing any task without hesitation or complaint. Nearly 18 months ago, this single mother transferred to the graveyard shift so she could wake her son in the morning and play with him before tucking him in at night. In between, she attended school to become a nurse. In December 2010, she completed her studies and earned the designation of Licensed Vocational Nurse. David Hahklotubbe, Executive Director, states, "Aegean Bayongan is a rare find, truly the total package. We are blessed to have her in our Vintage Sonoma family. She epitomizes the soul of a hero and is deserving of this award."

Outstanding Team Member – Nai Luu

Nai Luu has been a member of Westmont Living's The Terraces' housekeeping team for 16 years. He considers it both an honor and a privilege to serve residents. As a young man growing up in his native country of Vietnam during wartime, Nai endured many hardships. Nevertheless, he is grateful every day for his good fortune in life. Residents and fellow team members think very highly of Nai. Susan Stocks, Executive Director at The Terraces, had this to share: "Nai is an honorable man with a purposeful mission to serve our residents. He has an abundance of patience and tolerance, and a deep respect for his teammates. He is truly a model employee that has set the bar for excellence in customer service. Nai is not only an outstanding team member, he is a true gentleman."

Outstanding Executive Director – Dinah Bailes

Dinah Bailes has worked in senior living more than 20 years, but is still always looking for new and better ways to improve care, service, staff benefits and business models. Her passion for education has fueled the internship program at Lakeside Park to include over 18 master and doctorate level students, and the ancestry program to include more than 20 students from local high schools. According to Paula Hertel, President of Development and COO at AgeSong Communities, "One of Dinah's greatest strengths as a leader is that she builds teams that grow in confidence and skill because of her leadership and mentorship. Despite all of her many accomplishments and successes, she is one of the most humble people I have ever worked with. It is truly an honor to have Dinah as a part of our AgeSong team."