Genesis HealthCare has announced that Christi Battistini, a Licensed Occupational Therapist at Millville Center in Millville, has been selected as the Compassionate Caregiver of the Year (CCOY) in its New Jersey market. She has been with the organization since 2008.

Modeled after the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care’s national program, Genesis HealthCare sponsors an annual recognition program that provides a way for Genesis-affiliated centers to recognize and celebrate staff members who go above and beyond the standard of compassionate care. Staff, residents, and residents’ families are all invited to nominate a member of the team who demonstrates compassion in an exceptional way.

According to her nomination, Battistini checks on residents every day, even if they are not on her assignment. She takes residents for walks and sometimes picks up lunch or purchases items for residents that have no family to assist them. Battistini taught one resident how to use her iPad and FaceTime on her phone. Some residents have problems writing cards and letters, so she helps write out their letters, cards and mails them.

“Christi brings her visionary approach to work, always seeking ways to improve lives and lift spirits. She’s a problem solver with a compassionate, caring attitude. Millville Center is lucky to know Christi and is grateful to have her as part of the team,” states William Timm, market president for the New Jersey market.

Battistini was selected as the market-level CCOY from among all staff in 11 Genesis-affiliated centers in New Jersey and is now eligible for Genesis’ company-wide Compassionate Caregiver of the Year award. Genesis will formally nominate its company-wide national CCOY recipient to the Schwartz Center to be considered for that organization’s 2023 National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year award.