The Tennessee Association for Home Care recently recognized Shawn Fitzgerald, case manager and wound care specialist at Baptist Trinity Home Care & Hospice, as an Outstanding Homecare Direct Service Provider.
“It was quite an honor and a surprise to receive the award,” said Fitzgerald. “I had been told that I was to be present in Nashville for the annual spring conference luncheon, expecting that to be a standard thing for all nominees for the award.”
An 18-year Baptist colleague, Fitzgerald earned his nursing diploma from the Baptist School of Nursing and his bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Baptist Health Sciences University. Despite his education and years of service, he wasn’t always sure he would excel in nursing.
“I stumbled upon the field of nursing, hoping and praying that I would like it,” said Fitzgerald. “I didn’t think I had the characteristics to be a caregiver, but if you had asked anyone else in my family, they would have disagreed.”
With almost 20 years in nursing, Fitzgerald recognizes and remembers the significant relationships that he has been able to form with home care patients.
“I appreciate being recognized for my hard work and commitment to home care,” said Fitzgerald. “When you love what you do, it makes it easier to do it well.”
Founded in 1981, TAHC is a non-profit organization committed to home health agencies in Tennessee.