Human Resources specialist Karen Hagerman at the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) of Ohio expressed considerable pride in the association’s executive director, Dana Traxler. Traxler received the Award of Excellence from the Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice in September. The award is granted to a licensed professional who is outstanding in his/her field.
Traxler was nominated for the award with a glowing report. Over 20 years of experience was nothing compared to having a compassionate heart. The submitted nomination form stated:
Dana began her home care experience as a young woman working as an aide for a wealthy older woman who had high standards and expectations. Though the job was challenging, it proved to Dana that home is where people want to receive care and often where they receive the best care….Dana became a Home Care nurse in 1993. Her clinical acumen and fierce advocacy for patients led to a promotion to clinical director. After 10 years at a not-for-profit home care and hospice, Dana became the founding director of the Visiting Nurse Association of Mid-Ohio in January 2000. She walked in to a small house that had served as a parsonage for the church that owned it and was greeted by empty desks and phones….She hired her first employee at the end of February 2000.
Traxler grew the VNA to over 160 employees covering approximately 1,000 patients in 21 counties in Ohio. Multiple pages were required to describe Traxler’s qualification for the award but a comment in the document from one of the VNA managers may sum up the award designation: “I can’t imagine working for any other boss after having Dana as a mentor and leader. She doesn’t micro-manage. She trusts her choices for various positions and stands back and allows us to soar…Her unique entrepreneurship is amazing to watch.”
The Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio, Mid-Ohio, is located at 105 North Main St. #205, Mansfield, OH. The Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio is the largest not-for-profit, community-based home healthcare organization in Ohio with registered and licensed nurses, therapists, doctors, social workers and home care aides. They partner with hospitals, physicians, community agencies and insurance companies to provide our community home healthcare.
