Jennifer LeDuc RN, BSN, MSN, Director of Operations & Quality for Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) at Home, was recently honored with the 2023 Judith Hriceniak Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership by the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home.

The Hriceniak Award recognizes registered nurses who demonstrate excellence in nursing leadership. To receive the prestigious award, a nursing supervisor or CEO must serve as a visionary role model in the development and implementation of innovative projects that positively affect the ever-changing home care and hospice environment.

The awardee must show creativity, high energy and inspire others by creating an environment that fosters staff development and life-long learning. Award recipients must achieve a high level of clinical expertise and collaborate with groups or individuals within the community.

While this recognition is given out at their annual conference, LeDuc was unable to attend this year. Instead, Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home President & CEO, Tracy Wodatch, and Director of Membership & Education Courtney Verissimo, made the trip to Putnam to surprise Jenn and present her with the award. 

“This recognition underscores Jenn’s exceptional leadership, her contributions to home care services in Northeast Connecticut, and her commitment to her staff and the community,” said Renee Smith, vice president, Post Acute Services, Day Kimball Healthcare. “Due to Jenn’s strong leadership and guidance, the staff and agency are making a positive impact in the community by ensuring that individuals receive the best care possible in the comfort of their own homes.”

LeDuc, with nearly 23 years at DKH at Home, has worked in various roles, including nurse case manager, intake coordinator, and clinical manager. Since coming into her role as Director of Operations & Quality she has demonstrated her leadership by advocating for all aspects of the agency, from direct patient care to developing a successful budget that will assure the agency can continue to be fiscally responsible.

In response to having been selected as the award recipient, LeDuc said, “I am so grateful to our Day Kimball Healthcare at Home team for nominating me for this award and to the CT Association for Healthcare at Home for selecting me to be the recipient. Each day, I am inspired by my team who gives their all in support of our patients, our agency, and each other. I am truly humbled and thankful to each of you.”  

The HomeCare program offers nursing, therapy, and home health aide services for patients with both acute and chronic health conditions; Hospice and Palliative Care provides care for individuals and families coping with terminal and life-limiting illnesses; and Day Kimball HomeMakers provides personal care, homemaking, companionship, 24-hour care, live-in caregivers, and a day program for individuals with dementia. Working together, the three in-home service lines collaborate to ensure safe and seamless transitions of care, both within and outside the Day Kimball Healthcare system.

Photo Caption:
Jennifer LeDuc RN, BSN, MSN, Director of Operations & Quality for Day Kimball Healthcare at Home (center) receives the 2023 Judith Hriceniak Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership by the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home with (l to r) Donna Hendrickson, Administrative Assistant DKH at Home; Dr. Martin Durtschi, Vice President, Medical Affairs and Quality DKH; John O'Keefe, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President, Patient Services DKH; Michelle Gardner, Intake & Outreach Coordinator, Day Kimball HomeMakers; Renee Smith, Vice President, Post Acute Services, DKH; David Hooper, Clinical Infomatics Specialist, DKH at Home; Erica Alexander, Hospice Program Manager, DKH at Home; Kim Durand, Home Health Clinical Manager, DKH at Home; April Stevens, Director, Quality and Regulatory Affairs, DKH; Dr. Richard Wilcon, President, Medical Staff DKH; Valerie Espeleta, Health Information Coordinator for DKH at Home.