Granite VNA recently presented longtime employee Maria Babineau with the organization’s annual peer-nominated “Living Our Values” award. Babineau, of Laconia, has served as a hospice medical social worker with Granite VNA for nearly 30 years.

Each year, Granite VNA invites employees to nominate a colleague who they believe best demonstrates the organization’s core values of respect, compassion, culture of excellence, leadership and stewardship in his or her actions among peers and with patients, families, community members, donors and volunteers.

Granite VNA President and CEO Beth Slepian, MBA, PT, presented Babineau with the Living Our Values award during a recent employee appreciation event at the agency’s Concord office.

“Congratulations to Maria. We are grateful that she is a part of the Granite VNA team and we are honored to recognize her devotion to our patients and her colleagues with this year’s Living Our Values Award,” said Slepian. “Maria provides an authentic reflection of our values each day with her caring attitude, gentle manner and encouragement for truly compassionate care.”

Prior to joining Granite VNA, Babineau held a variety of positions at Community Health and Hospice in Laconia, New Hampshire, including MSW Program Manager, Interim Hospice Program Manager, Social Worker and Volunteer Coordinator. She earned her bachelor’s degree in human service from Springfield College in Manchester, NH, and her master’s in social work degree from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.

In her nomination, Lisa Morris, MSW, described how Babineau supports and mentors hospice staff each day, regardless of their experience level. She added that Babineau is a sought-after mentor because she listens to peers and guides them with thoughtful, empathetic, professional support.

Michael Malanga, D.Min., Spiritual Care Counselor/Bereavement Coordinator at Granite VNA, described Babineau as “a team player who actively collaborates with her coworkers. She shares insights, seeks counsel, and encourages her coworkers to pursue excellence through compassionate care for our patients.”

Granite VNA received 18 nominations for this year’s Living Our Values award, sharing heartfelt stories, positive interactions and observations about their peers.