Caregiver Award Named for First Recipient, Debra Hendriks

• July 28, 2017
• Amber Specialty Pharmacy
• Amber Specialty Pharmacy

Behind every patient is a spouse, parent, sibling or friend that is doing everything they can to make the patient’s life easier. Caregivers offer unconditional love and are there day in and day out through some of the darkest hours. They are often the most important person in a patient’s life. However, caregivers are often overlooked because they are not patients themselves.

During the 2016 Asembia Specialty Pharmacy Summit, Amber Specialty Pharmacy President Mike Agostino led a special panel presentation that placed the spotlight on the important role of caregivers. Panelist Tawny Roeder, a case manager for the blood and marrow transplant program at Nebraska Medicine, recounted her battle with lymphoma and the role that her caregiver – her mother – played in her recovery. During the panel presentation, Tawny’s mother, Debra Hendriks, received the first Caregiver of the Year Award.

In order to continue to honor caregivers, the Caregiver of the Year Award will be presented at each annual Asembia Conference. The award has been named in honor of the first recipient and is now aptly called the Asembia Hendriks Caregiver Award.

Debra says she did what any other mother of a daughter faced with such a mind-blowing disease would do. “What we went through with Tawny is so surreal, you do what you have to do to get through the minute, hour or day,” Debra said.

Even though Mike Agostino presented Debra with a bouquet of flowers when he gave her the first Caregiver of the Year Award in 2016, Mike wanted to do something special for Debra. A special award featuring the Hendriks name was made for Debra and presented to her at a surprise celebration. Debra’s family and her daughter Tawny were there to see her receive it.

Debra’s story is just one of the many inspiring stories that caregivers have to share. When Debra found out that the award will now be named after her, she expressed her sincere gratitude. “I am overwhelmed with feelings about changing the award to containing my name,” Debra said. “Thank you for recognizing the works of people that care with all their heart and soul.”

This award is just a small token of appreciation to thank those who give their all caring for others. We hope that healthcare as an industry will always take a moment to recognize the caregivers behind the patients who are sometimes in the fight of their lives.

The 2017 award was presented to celebrity Leeza Gibbons for the efforts of her foundation, Leeza’s Care Connection, which provides caregivers with a place to go to for support.