Local residents selected as WellCare championship finalists
WellCare Health Plans, Inc., a local Medicare Advantage health plan, is pleased to announce the finalists in its annual WellCare Champions Competition and the beginning of online voting to determine the Grand Champion. WellCare, formally known as Today’s Options, created the competition to honor individuals who help older adults in central New York live better, healthier lives.
All of the Champions and their stories are featured on WellCareChampions.com.
Community members can read about them and vote for a Grand Champion daily through Aug. 28.
The Champion with the most votes will be named the 2018 WellCare Grand Champion.
He or she will be honored at the New York State Fair’s Chevy Court on Aug. 28 just before the 2 p.m. show.
The winner will present a $10,000 donation to his or her chosen charitable organization at that time.
“Each year, our WellCare Champions finalists impress us with the inspired work they do in the community,” said John J. Burke, WellCare’s state president in New York. “To celebrate their achievements, each finalist will be recognized at the Syracuse Chiefs game on Aug. 2. We invite you all to get involved by reading the Champions’ personal stories on our website and voting for a Grand Champion.”
WellCare Champions are Central New York residents who are examples of how one person can make a difference in the lives of older adults.
The Champions program complements WellCare’s commitment to making a difference in the communities by honoring individuals who share WellCare’s goals of improving the quality of life and maximizing access to services for seniors and people with Medicare.
Locally, JoAnne Spoto-Decker of Elbridge and Kim Townsend of Fairmount have been selected for their work and commitment.
Spoto-Decker has devoted many years to helping the older adults in Elbridge stay engaged in the community through Aurora of Central New York.
She actively looks for solutions to issues that present obstacles and difficulties for older adults.
She has worked with county officials to develop emergency preparedness programs for seniors, including one for heat emergencies, developed a safe driving program and a senior shopper service, and created two programs that focus on behavioral health for older adults.
Townsend has made it her mission to advocate for the needs of our community, especially older adults.
For the past four years, Kim has been CEO of Loretto, a non-profit dedicated to helping those with long-term care needs stay in a home-like setting.
For Townsend, this also means addressing the needs of the 2,500 dedicated caregivers, including setting up programs like a free employee health clinic and diaper service.
Under her leadership, Loretto has continued to expand and innovate care—now 19 programs and leadership in memory care—partnering in research with Upstate and advocacy with the Alzheimer’s Association.
Go to WellCareChampions.com to read the Champions’ full stories and watch their videos on YouTube.
Voting is open now hrough Aug. 22.
Each voter has the opportunity to vote once per day for the WellCare Grand Champion.
