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Kristy Aguglia was happy the day was over. Typically, she loves her job as homecare RN with Celtic Healthcare, but today she had a bad migraine and couldn’t wait to get home. That was, until she pulled right behind an accident. Without a moment’s hesitation, she got out of her car to help. A little old man was sitting on the side of the road, panicked because his very sick wife was at home waiting for him and his groceries were spoiling in his trunk. Kristy saw that his airbag had deployed and that he needed to go to the hospital, due to his age and condition. His car was already up on the truck bed, and he was soon going to be leaving for the hospital. “The tow truck driver wasn’t extremely happy with me, but I asked him to get up on the truck bed and re-bag all the groceries that had scattered around as a result of the accident and give them to me so I could go check on the man’s wife and put away her groceries,” says Kristy. “The man was in such distress. I knew this would at least make him feel a bit more settled.” Kristy then drove the groceries to the man’s house, found a neighbor to assist her so that the wife would not be startled, and then proceeded to make sure the woman was able to put away the groceries. From start to finish, it added two hours to her drive home. This is just one example of the amazing feats that Kristy accomplishes everyday. Kristy has been with Celtic Healthcare for over two years now, joining the team in May 2006. While she simply adores her patients, working with the geriatric population was not always where she thought she would end up. “Originally, I never thought I’d be working with the elderly. In nursing school, I had my sights set on maternity or pediatrics, but two things really changed my mind. One is my grandfather. He was one of the most important people in my life. I cared for him during the last 10 years of his life at my home. Second is my experience working at Allegheny General Hospital prior to Celtic Healthcare. I worked on the colorectal and transplant floors, where most of the patients were elderly. I was drawn to them; and to tell the truth, I keep older people quite entertained. They get a kick out of me.” Kristy embodies Celtic’s customer service motto, treating all of her patients with extraordinary care - the way she would have wanted her grandfather to be treated. She always tries to go out on her own after-hours calls and will even go to a patient’s home seven days a week, just so the patient will be comfortable with the same caregiver. Kristy received her degree from Community College of Allegheny County, after originally attending the University of Pittsburgh to be an Occupational Therapist.
No, The VNA Did Not Go Away. It’s a new name, but Celtic Healthcare embodies the same traditions and values that VNAs have long been providing for Mahoning Valley and Lawrence County residents. Earlier this year, Celtic Healthcare purchased all home healthcare operations from Forum Health System in Youngstown, OH and Jameson Health System in New Castle, PA, while still retaining all Forum Health at Home and Jameson VNA staff as employees of Celtic Healthcare. Celtic Healthcare retained something else as well - its endorsement of the VNA. If you have any questions about Celtic Healthcare’s arrival in your community, do not hesitate to ask your Celtic Liaison or Representative, or call Celtic Healthcare at 800.355.8894.
August is designated as National Immunization Month to spotlight the importance of keeping your immunizations up-to-date. We always think of immunizations being for children only. But as an adult you may be in need of some shots as well. Many of the immunizations that kids now take for granted, didn’t even exist when many of us were children. It’s worth checking out what is available and what you still need. The diseases that these vaccines protect against are better off avoided.
Did you get your Celtic Monthly Calendar – the one filled with educational bits, fun facts, and important contact information? If not, please call us to receive yours! 1.800.355.8894.
Last month’s Quirky Question was: Which weekly summertime chore sent 92,122 Americans to the hospital for injuries in 2006? Cutting the grass. (Injuries related to power lawnmowers, hand mowers and riding power mowers.) Please, be careful! |
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