by David S. Wiley, President & CEO of Kansas City Hospice
We are so pleased to share that Kathy Godbout has received the 2021 Lore and Mel Mallin Award for Employee Excellence!
Kathy is a CNA at Kansas City Hospice House™. She was nominated by three different individuals and the review committee was blown away by her gentle compassion and fierce commitment to the mission of Kansas City Hospice.
Noted for the Guiding Principles of Choice, Compassion, and Enrichment, Kathy is recognized as having an “astounding” work ethic. One of her nominators noted she is the “Mother Teresa” of Kansas City Hospice. Other words to describe her include kind, compassionate, thoughtful, non-judgmental, a team player, and an unbelievably hard worker who is always willing to go the extra mile.
In grateful appreciation from the Mallin family, Kathy will receive a cash award for her personal benefit, and an additional amount will be directed in support of professional development opportunities for Kansas City Hospice staff. Kathy’s name will be inscribed on recognition plaques that hangs at each one of our physical locations.
Mr. Mel Mallin, pictured with Kathy Godbout, CNA
Kathy Godbout, CNA
There are so many wonderful things said about Kathy, but I will sum it up with the following story, written by one of her coworkers as part of their submission.
“Kathy stayed late one night to wash the feet of a dying patient. This pt. arrived late one afternoon to the Kansas City Hospice House from a nearby hospital. He had been living alone apparently, and was unable to care for himself prior to his hospitalization. The hospital triaged and did what they needed to do to stabilize him, but bathing him was not a priority to them. When he arrived to us, the bottom of his feet were filthy with dirt, as if he had walked around barefoot for weeks in his home.
Kathy sensed that he was not going to be with us long that night, so she stayed late after her shift had ended and provided him a bed bath, including washing his feet that were covered in dirt. She provided him with a level of dignity and compassion that I had never seen nor witnessed before. I will never forget that moment.”
We extend congratulations to all of the nominees this year. Hospice and palliative care are very much team concepts. Our ability to surround families with care and support is only possible when we all work together to bring our expertise, our work ethic, and our loving hearts to this challenging effort. It’s a difficult path that we have chosen, but one filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and excel.
The Lore and Mel Mallin Award for Employee Excellence
The award recognizes one staff member annually. This employee best exemplifies the KCH Guiding Principles of Compassion, Enrichment, Choices, Expertise, Respect, Balance, Stewardship, and Excellence.
Mel Mallin and his wife, Lore, married in 1949. They enjoyed an impressive 62 happy years together before Lore’s death in 2011. Together, Mel and Lore forged a strong bond that fostered a thriving entrepreneurial career. Their a close-knit family includes three children and three grandchildren.
Mel’s name sounds familiar? It’s likely due to the instrumental role he played in the revitalization of the River Market and Garment District. These areas of downtown Kansas City included the conversion of long-vacant warehouses into beautiful condominiums.
Though Mel earned his living as a businessman, his passion in life is education. At 96 years old, he is undaunted by age and continues to learn from his life experiences. He recalls the exceptional care provided by Kansas City Hospice to Lore as her death approached in 2011. Mel was impressed by our expert knowledge in hospice care, as well as the compassion shown not only to Lore, but to the entire Mallin family.
A mission Mel could support
Mel felt driven to further the Kansas City Hospice mission. He recognized the need for continuing education within the medical field. So, building on his lifelong love for learning, he worked with KCH to establish this award. The Lore and Mel Mallin Award for Employee Excellence was first awarded in 2020.
Mel presents the award annually to one KCH employee. This recognition supports professional development and training opportunities for KCH team members. It also assures expertise in the hospice field for the Kansas City community. It honors not only the dedication of KCH employees, but the undaunted spirit shown by the Mallins. Their perseverance is an inspiration for the work we do today, and for our dedication to furthering the hospice field as an enduring resource for future generations.
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Congrats to Kathy! As a volunteer I have served alongside Kathy and have seen how caring she is to her patients always trying to fulfill their requests and needs. It is always a pleasure to work with her as a volunteer. So glad she has received recognition for her outstanding service. Judi Purcell
How very generous of the Mallin family and a beautiful way to honor Lore!
Kathy is most deserving of this distinguished award! Her commitment to excellence in care and dedication to KCH is unparalleled. She is the hardest (and fastest) worker I know. Kathy treats each patient with compassion, respect, dignity, tenderness, and clear knowledge of what is in their best interest. She attends to and supports the family members as well. It is not uncommon to see her bringing hot coffee or soup to the elderly spouse of a patient.
Kathy is a tremendous team player and informs the nurse of changes she astutely observes in a patient while she is providing care. If the nurse needs to perform extra procedures or dressings, Kathy has great foresight and has all supplies lined up.
Kansas City Hospice House has an amazing staff, but I always knew my day, and the care of my patients, would be better with Kathy on my team.