Impact

October 25, 2022

FORT BRAGG, CA — The Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Charlene McAllister Excellence in Nursing Award:

• Emily Anthony, BSN, ICU, Critical Care Registered Nurse, BSN, of Adventist Health Mendocino Coast
• Chama Rasheed, Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Records Manager, of Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care

Chama Rasheed, CNA at Sherwood Oaks, receives 2022 Excellence in Nursing award from Charlene McAllister.

Now in its second year, this award ceremony recognizes and promotes the exemplary dedication of nurses on the Mendocino Coast—caregivers who work to positively impact patient outcomes and experience, serve as role models for their peers, and embody nursing ethics in their work.

The Award Committee carefully considered eight nominations from Mendocino Coast Clinics, Adventist Health Mendocino Coast, and Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care. In addition to the two winners, the 2022 nominees are:

• Jenna Breton, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Mendocino Coast Clinics
• Jennifer Salyer, Registered Nurse and Diabetes Educator, Mendocino Coast Clinics
• Kei Velasquez, Nurse Practitioner, Mendocino Coast Clinics
• Mark Bellm, RN, Director of Nursing, Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care
• Tony Flores, Certified Nursing Assistant, Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care
• Jessica Bowles, Charge Nurse, Director of Staff Development, Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care

These six nominees will receive a certificate of excellence, along with a gift certificate in recognition of their tremendous commitment to health and wellness.

MCHFoundation was pleased to select both Emily and Chama as winners this year, thanks to generous program support from donors in the coastal community. Each awardee will receive $5,000 at a special ceremony in October.

About Emily Anthony
Emily Anthony is a full-time critical care nurse at Adventist Health Mendocino Coast, with more than 23 years of nursing care and leadership experience. Though she possesses many strengths, her nominator—Kelly Hendricks, RN, BSN, Director of Inpatient Care at Adventist Health Mendocino Coast —says she is truly passionate about providing patient-centered care for the coastal community. Emily listens with a careful ear to all patients and always advocates for their needs and requests.

Emily has also established herself as a trusted resource among her peers at Adventist Health and within the wider community. She mentors new and experienced critical care nurses and has developed a trusted place for bedside caregivers to bring their ideas forward to make positive changes. Emily is also working with community partners to launch a new, collaborative CNA training course for the local area.

“Emily cares for each patient as if they were family,” says Kelly Hendricks. “Her kind, empathetic approach gives patients a feeling of comfort and trust with the care she provides, resulting in the best outcome possible.”

About Chama Rasheed
MCHFoundation is honored to also recognize Chama Rasheed for her selfless dedication to others—patients and peers alike.

Chama has been a CNA for 26 years and has spent most of her career at Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care. She has an incredible amount of knowledge about the facility and goes to great lengths to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone inside its walls.

“When a family or resident wants something out of the ordinary, Chama always finds a way to facilitate the request,” says nominator Denise Vicars, Sherwood Oaks Post Acute Care Business Manager. “She is a good listener and speaks up when it’s going to make a difference. She is a shining star.”

Chama is described by her peers as the ultimate team player, always stepping in to help when needed and taking on tasks above and beyond her job description. Most recently, she became educated in medical records and learned a new electronic health record software system to better support her team at work.

About the Charlene McAllister Excellence in Nursing Award
The award’s namesake—lifelong nurse Charlene McAllister—cared for patients for more than 40 years and has been involved with MCHFoundation since 1987.

Charlene remains an active Foundation Board Member and volunteer with a rich history of contributions to health and wellness. MCHFoundation is humbled to honor Charlene’s legacy and support coastal caregivers through this important award.

“Every day, our nurses go above and beyond for our neighbors and loved ones,” says Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, MCHFoundation Executive Director. “They are healers in our community, providing compassionate care and—importantly—tremendous comfort to those in need. I am so proud of this opportunity to show our collective appreciation for their efforts, and I am grateful to our philanthropic partners for making this celebratory program possible each year.”

The Charlene McAllister Excellence in Nursing Award is a project of the MCHFoundation All In For Nurses initiative to support the recruitment and retention of nurses on the coast. All In For Nurses also includes a scholarship campaign that provides for the continued education of coastal nurses, college students working toward their nursing degree, and high school students considering a healthcare career.

To support All In For Nurses with a donation, please make a gift online or call 707-961-4671.

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation), located in Fort Bragg, is a non-profit with a mission to support the health and wellness of the Mendocino Coast communities. MCHFoundation provides a path for community investment in the health and wellness of our coastal region.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

Please note MCHFoundation’s new address: 130 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437