Sevier County Health Care Center’s Jean Wilburn wins Knoxville District Caregiver of the Year award

Sevierville, Tenn. – Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Jean Wilburn of Sevier County Health Care Center was honored as the Tennessee Health Care Association’s Knoxville District Caregiver of the Year. She was presented with a plaque on Sept. 24 during THCA’s 55th Annual Convention & Trade Show at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville. Wilburn has worked as a CNA for 20 years, performing all activities of daily living (ADLs) for patients who are unable to do for themselves. She is a recipient of the Caring Hearts award from her local Alzheimer’s Association. According to Bryan Atchley, assistant administrator of Sevier County Health Care Center, the care Wilburn provides is unmatched. “She is always willing to work, even on her days off, because she says she wants to ‘make these little people feel loved, needed and comfortable,’” says Atchley. THCA’s Knoxville District is made up of 63 facilities in 19 counties. Wilburn’s name, along with the other five district winners, will be placed in the running for the statewide honor of Caregiver of the Year. The honoree will be recognized at a special ceremony on Nursing Home Caregiver Appreciation Day on Nov. 15. “It is the goal of THCA’s Caregiver of the Year program to help bring richly- deserved attention to nursing home caregivers who play such a critical role in providing round-the-clock nursing care to elderly and disabled patients across the state of Tennessee,” says Richard T. Sadler, THCA’s executive director. “Those we’ve honored since 1999 would be the first to tell you that providing nursing home care is a team effort, and that attitude is a credit to their exceptional dedication and compassion for the patients they serve.” The Tennessee Health Care Association, founded in 1947, represents more than 300 nursing homes, each providing The Right Care at the Right Time to patients in need of round-the-clock attention.