At Brightview, our core values – STARS – are more than just words on a page. The STARS principles guide our interactions with co-workers, residents and business partners; influence the way that we do our jobs; and inspire us to deliver exceptional service to both internal and external customers. Associates in all of our communities are eligible to receive monthly or quarterly STARS awards and from that group of community winners, we select five individuals to receive our coveted annual STARS awards. Recipients of the awards and their guests were invited to attend our annual leadership conference in Cambridge, Maryland, to receive their awards. Meet our STARS below and hear their Brightview stories.
2010 STARS Award Winners
Brian Doyle, STARS Story of the Year
Brian Doyle, bus driver at Brightview Baldwin Park, exemplifies Vibrant Engagement. With compassion, kindness and exemplary customer service, Brian drives the bus each day and is a loving friend to the residents. With the same care and empathy for his bus passengers, Brian is always there to lend a hand. Far beyond his role as bus driver -- Brian’s demonstrated expertise in several areas beyond his primary responsibilities, coupled with his overwhelming willingness to assist, have made him invaluable to the residents at the community and to his colleagues. He has worked in several capacities: electrician, IT guru and coach, using his skills and abilities to help others and problem solve.
Without boosting or bragging, Brian leads by example. When an electrical issue plagued the bus recently, Brian used his knowledge from a past work experience as a Naval electrician to repair the problem himself. Residents were delighted that their scheduled outings were not interrupted as Brian fixed the issue after hours, when he was off-the-clock. When computer issues confound associates at the community, Brian eagerly assists, troubleshooting and fixing problems, and creating useful documents that save time. Brian helps residents at Baldwin Park with their personal computers as well, installing programs, offering assistance or explaining unfamiliar technology. With his technical savvy, Brian even helps residents with other appliances and devices. Residents take comfort in Brian’s expanded role as a Posit Science brain fitness coach, and find it easy and fun to work with and learn from him.
Brian’s work ethic and dedication to our residents, their family members and associates are outstanding. He is truly a Brightview STAR!
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Cathy Budnichuk, Coach of Year – Hospitality
Cathy Budnichuk, Maintenance Director at Brightview Bel Air, is always coaching. She is constantly empowering her associates, motivating them to succeed.
When Cathy joined Brightview in 2003, she began as Lead Housekeeper. Well-received and well-liked by residents, families and fellow associates, Cathy worked hard and was committed to learning. Her sense of urgency and willingness to please resonated in the community. In 2008, she was promoted to Maintenance Tech. In her expanded role, her enthusiasm, commitment to excellence and dedication to the residents at Brightview Bel Air were evident in her daily work as well as in the way she coached her team to excel in their daily work responsibilities. As a result, she was named Maintenance Director in 2009.
Each day, Cathy coaches her team, leading them to excellence in service, teamwork, action, reputation and success. Cathy encourages her team to greet residents and ensure apartments are cleaned in a timely and courteous manner and individual needs are met. She coaches her associates to talk with residents, families and other guests to ensure satisfaction and the highest level of service. Cathy also hosts ‘Cleaning Parties’ during which she personally introduces every new product or cleaning tool to her housekeeping team. She recognizes the strengths of her team members, and challenges everyone to take on tasks outside their comfort zones.
Understanding that move-in days are significant for new residents and family members, Cathy motivates her team into action to prepare an apartment and assist in the move-in process, making it easy and stress-free for the resident and family members. Cathy’s exceptional attention to detail and desire to have a community that is clean and cared for is a reflection on the community, and the high quality of care that is offered. It is also a reflection on Brightview Senior Living. Finally, Cathy’s dedication to coaching has affected change throughout the community as she assists others to learn about the mechanical functions at the community, offering tours and discussions with new associates about the safety and security mechanisms throughout the community, promoting the success of all the associates.
Through coaching for performance, Cathy creates a positive learning environment for her associates and provides an abundance of learning opportunities. She leads by example and is an inspiration to her associates and her colleagues. Cathy’s hard work and dedication to our residents, their families, our associates and her community are examples of vibrant engagement. We are so proud to have her on our team!
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Lori Devona, Coach of the Year – Caregiver
As Wellspring Village Director at Brightview Commons in Kingstown, Rhode Island, Lori Devona leads by example. She uses care, compassion and the ability to listen to coach associates as well as meet the needs and wants of residents and their families. She is truly an example of vibrant engagement.
Lori joined Brightview Commons in 2009 as a Resident Assistant. Known for her hard work, dedication, commitment and leadership potential, Lori learned quickly and was promoted to Wellspring Village Director in 2010. In her current role, Lori has flourished as a leader and, through her consistent coaching, has fostered a great team spirit. She works side-by-side with her associates, accomplishing whatever tasks need to be completed and always makes time to visit with residents and families.
When coaching associates, Lori believes her most valuable skill is the ability to listen. She hears what an associate has to say before offering suggestions or solutions, often allowing the associate(s) to come to their own resolution. Lori enjoys coaching for performance particularly when her coaching better prepares associates to fulfill their purpose and grow in their roles. In addition, Lori recognizes that she doesn’t have all the answers and looks to collaborate with her team to find the appropriate course of action. She also leverages the strengths of her associates and delegates duties, following up to ensure that the associates have the proper tools and resources to be successful. She wants to see others learn and grow as she herself continues to learn and grow.
Lori’s leadership, dedication to our residents and their families and commitment to coaching associates make Lori a Brightview STAR.
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Kevin Cysyk, Coach of the Year – Executive Director
When Kevin Cysyk joined the team at Brightview White Marsh as its Executive Director in 2009, the community experienced a remarkable transformation. With his unique style of coaching and his desire to be coached, he has created a positive and inviting environment for associates to work, residents to live and families to visit. His leadership, commitment to residents, their families and his associates and his determination to maintain excellence at Brightview White Marsh are evident in his daily actions.
Each day, Kevin spends time walking around the community, talking with residents, associates and family members. He knows everyone by name and takes an interest in their lives. Kevin listens to people and knows their backgrounds, interests and goals. His daily efforts afford him the opportunity to observe and offer feedback, making him a stronger and more effective coach.
Kevin also leads by example, and is not afraid to jump in to assist his associates with the task at hand. “Whatever needs to be done,” asserted one associate, “Kevin rolls up his sleeves to assist. His action does something wonderful to the morale of the team.”
In difficult or sensitive situations, Kevin examines the circumstance in a positive, thoughtful and focused manner. He coaches his associates to be creative, try new things and make the most of the situation at hand. He coaches compassion and understanding, and values the opinions of his associates. Commented on associate, “It means a lot when your supervisor takes your ideas seriously.”
Kevin is an engaged leader, coaching by example and motivating his associates at Brightview White Marsh.
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Virginia Campbell, Associate of the Year – Caregiver
Virginia Campbell, Wellspring Village Program Assistant at Brightview Woodbury Lake, is a champion for resident dignity and self-esteem. Each day for nearly 9 years, Virginia brings enthusiasm and positive energy to work, and makes it her personal mission to treat each resident individually and make them feel special. She understands the residents’ needs and expectations and strives to exceed them, treating the residents as well as their families with respect, care and compassion.
In the mornings, she treats the female residents to their own special makeover. Using supplies she purchased for each resident, she applies makeup. She also styles the ladies’ hair to complete the look. Later in the morning, Virginia takes a group of residents to the community’s Tea Room kitchen, where they work together to cook their own special lunch. Virginia has embraced the Tea Room’s garden, tending to and caring for the flowers, ensuring that Wellspring Village residents have an enjoyable and relaxing place to eat their freshly prepared lunch. She also involves the residents in the gardening process, inviting them to water the flowers and care for the plants. Residents delight in the gardening activity. They seem to enjoy everything they do with Virginia by their sides. Virginia also created the Wellspring Village Chorus. A sensation at the community’s first annual Talent Show, the singers sounded marvelous and truly inspired their families. The families appreciate the compassion and warmth with which Virginia cares for their loved ones. They love Virginia’s extraordinary, vibrant spirit that is magically paired with her quiet, respectful, even tone interaction with the residents.
Virginia was also recently awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recognition Award from the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter. Recognizing extraordinary professional caregivers who live as an example of service, leadership and compassion while providing the highest quality care for people with dementia, Virginia was nominated by her colleagues at Woodbury Lake and selected by the MLK Nomination Committee.
Virginia is truly a gift to our residents, their families and to Brightview. We are honored to recognize her accomplishments.
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Dominic Lucidon, Associate of the Year – Hospitality
When Dominic Lucidon began his employment at The Manor at York Town, he was working part-time from 4:00pm to midnight. He was in college so the schedule worked well for him. He got to know residents and residents got to know him, and immediately they bonded. Residents and associates alike recognized that he was responsible and dependable, and, as a result, he was offered a full-time position. It was working overnight security, and, as The Manor is an independent living community, he would be the only associate on duty between midnight and 6:30am (his shift was midnight to 8:00am). He was disappointed that the schedule wouldn’t offer him the same contact with residents as his previous position. He soon discovered that he would maintain his interaction with residents; it would simply take a different form.
Although Dominic was technically security, he found himself taking on a number of roles and responsibilities. He welcomed them all, embracing the opportunities to interface with the residents at the community. During the early hours of the morning, Dominic fixes broken computers, jammed paper shredders and middle of the night smoke alarms. He cleans up from evening events and activities, which tremendously helps the morning crews. He carries residents’ luggage to their cars and helps them get off to a great start on their trips. He delivers newspapers when the delivery man forgets, brews the best coffee in town and tackles anything else that needs to be done. Dominic is also the first person many residents see in the morning when they start their day. Residents have been known to take the ‘long way around’ to ensure that they see Dominic and are greeted by his wide and warm smile. “Mornings are great,” commented one resident, “Dominic is there with a smile…coffee is ready in the café and he always has a friendly greeting.”
Residents describe Dominic as reliable, dependable, conscientious, kind, helpful, very caring and extremely likeable. They also say that they sleep better at night knowing he is there if needed. Another resident stated, “Dominic only knows how to be helpful. He is a treasure. How did we get so lucky?”
Dominic is truly an associate worth honoring.