Maxim Healthcare Services Names National Award Recipients in Home Healthcare and Behavioral Care

Baltimore nurse named Maxim’s National Home Healthcare Caregiver of the Year for life-enriching care of patients; Carlsbad technician named National Behavioral Caregiver of the Year for empowering lives

Maxim Healthcare Services (Maxim), a national provider of continuous skilled nursing services and personal and behavioral care, announced today that Bill Shields (Shields), an LPN from Baltimore, was announced as the National Home Healthcare Caregiver of the Year. Maxim also unveiled a new award, naming Caitlin Drumel (Drumel) as the company’s first National Behavioral Caregiver of the Year. Shields and Drumel were honored with the John “Doc” Langley Caregiver of the Year award during a ceremony in Baltimore on April 3, surrounded by their colleagues, fellow nominees and loved ones.

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Bill Shields, an LPN with Maxim Healthcare Services, is presented with the National Caregiver of the Year award. Pictured with Shields is Maxim Healthcare Services' CEO, Jarrod DePriest, and Kellie Lanier, Maxim's Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations and Chief Nursing Officer.

“For the last 14 years, Maxim’s National Caregiver of the Year event has recognized the dedicated, compassionate caregivers who strive to make a difference in the lives of their patients every day,” said Maxim’s Chief Executive Officer, Jarrod DePriest. “This year, we named a National Home Healthcare Caregiver of the Year and introduced a new national award to acknowledge significant service in the behavioral care community. We deeply admire Bill and Caitlin for their respective years of service, and are thrilled to present them both with this much deserved recognition.”

For nearly 30 years, Shields has worked as a caregiver, spending the last nearly 25 years of his career with Maxim. Shields is described as a selfless, dedicated and intuitive nurse by his colleagues. He has been caring for one patient with ALS for the past 16 years. The patient, who communicates primarily through his eyes supported by a computer and relies on a machine to breathe, says Shields has faithfully served as his arms, legs, and voice for the tenure of their relationship.

“Bill is an extremely devoted caregiver who always goes the extra mile,” said Pamela Rowan, Clinical Manager with Maxim’s Baltimore office. “Bill regularly takes additional shifts so his patient has the support he needs both at home and out in the community. Not only does he provide excellent patient care, he also routinely volunteers to train our new nurses.”

Prior to caregiving, Shields served in both the Army and the Army National Guard. Just like he proudly served his country, Shields is proud to work for Maxim because of the organization’s commitment to providing comprehensive care. “I just want to say thank you very much,” said Shields. “I’m humbled; I’m honored; thank you so much Maxim.”

Caitlin Drumel, a Registered Behavior Technician from Carlsbad, California, made an impact immediately after joining Maxim. In the two years she has spent with the company, colleagues say she has become a vital part of the office’s care team. Drumel is intimately familiar with behavioral care. She has a younger sister with Autism, her mother works in hospice, and she previously cared for two children with cognitive disabilities. Given her skills and background, Drumel brings a depth of empathy, compassion and understanding to her work every day.

“Caitlin has never shied away from a challenge and shows compassion to everyone she meets,” said Jamie Christman, M.Ed. BCBA, Clinical Manager with Maxim’s Carlsbad office. “One of her remarkable strengths is her talent for elevating the standard of care. Caitlin not only proactively checks in and offers her support whenever she has a cancellation or free time, she also empowers those she works with by fostering positive outcomes and enriching the lives of Maxim’s clients and their families.”

Drumel, who was quickly promoted just after seven months at Maxim, has expressed a desire to pursue an advanced degree so she can become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. This would further her growth in the ABA field, and broaden her reach and impact on those with Autism. “I want to thank my team at Maxim for always pushing me to do better and better,” said Drumel. “I would also like to thank my mom for instilling in me the importance of compassion for others."

Maxim’s Caregiver of the Year Award program celebrates nurses, home healthcare aides, and behavioral direct care workers for their impactful contributions to the home healthcare community. Shields and Drumel were selected from hundreds of nominations across the country.

About Maxim Healthcare Services

For more than 35 years, we have been making a difference in patients’ lives by providing excellent service and compassionate care. We offer skilled nursing, personal care, respite care, behavioral care and physical rehabilitation for individuals with chronic and acute illnesses and disabilities. Visit maximhealthcare.com for more information.

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“For the last 14 years, Maxim’s National Caregiver of the Year event has recognized the dedicated, compassionate caregivers who strive to make a difference in the lives of their patients every day.”