Leading up to the 12th Annual BC Care Awards, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) proudly honours the contributions of all award nominees by profiling each one of them. Below are four BC Care Provider of the Year | Home Health award nominees.
Connie Andrade – Community Health Worker – Care Coordinator, Ana’s Care & Home Support
Connie stands as one of the foundational pillars of Ana’s Care, embodying both the heart and hands of compassionate service. For over eleven years, she has dedicated herself to home support with unwavering warmth, reliability, and a bright spirit that uplifts every family she serves. Her commitment to trust, dignity, and respect shines through in every interaction, making her not only a caregiver but a source of comfort and reassurance.
Among her peers, Connie is seen as a reliable mentor and role model. She provides hands-on guidance to fellow Community Health Workers, fostering a culture of compassion and excellence. Her proactive nature ensures that no client is ever left without proper support. Connie’s advocacy goes beyond care plans: she sees the individual and ensures that they are heard and valued.
When celebrating Connie, we don’t just celebrate her kind heart and steady leadership. We celebrate her ability to foster authentic connections, advocate for seniors needs, and the human-centred approach she takes to ensure every client receives dignified care.
“Connie is someone I truly admire. During my early days with Ana’s Care, she consistently encouraged me and made me feel supported. She treats everyone (caregivers, clients, admin staff) with genuine care and respect. Her strong observation skills and deep knowledge of client care are things I often lean on the most. Connie leads with experience and empathy, and I’m grateful for the example she sets.” – Erika, Coworker
Jodi Belzer – Home Care Coordinator, Elim Village Garrisson Crossing
Jodi Belzer, LPN, has been dedicated to raising the quality of home care at Garrison Crossing. Over the past four years, she has grown the program from a single client to a thriving, 24-hour service supporting nearly 200 residents. Jodi’s professionalism, warmth, and clinical expertise ensure that every individual receives care rooted in dignity, respect, and compassion. Families trust her deeply, knowing she approaches each resident not as a task, but as a cherished person with unique needs and stories.
Jodi’s leadership shines both in her vision and her actions. She demonstrated exceptional leadership as Garisson Crossing implemented an electronic health records system. Thanks to her countless hours of troubleshoot, preparation, and thorough staff training, the transition for team members was seamless. Her strong work ethic and unwavering humility ensures that no home care visit is ever cancelled. When coverage is tight, Jodi does not hesitate to step in to deliver the care herself. Her mentorship and guidance not only motivate but inspire her team to strive for greatness.
What sets Jodi apart is her endless compassion. Whether arranging specialized training so a resident could spend his final weeks at home, advocating for essential supplies, or simply brightening days with handwritten notes, she consistently goes above and beyond. Jodi is a bright light to all who cross her path: residents find solace in her presence, families trust her judgement, and peers are uplifted by her spirit. She reminds her colleagues why they do the work they do: to nurture, to heal, and to bring joy.
“It’s an honor to work alongside someone who puts so much care and attention into their work, supporting the residents as well as her staff. Jodi has a way to make everyone feel heard and connected.” – Katie, Wellness Coordinator
“Jodi advocates for the residents she serves, ensuring that they receive not only great medical attention but perhaps more importantly, the gifts of kindness, respect, and time. Her selfless nature and deep empathy are evident in all she does – she consistently goes above and beyond putting others before herself. Her impact is felt in our community every day.” – Tim, Operations Manager
April Grace Yanga – Caregiver, Comfort Keepers North & West Vancouver
April encapsulates the meaning of person-centric, compassionate care. Her nursing background and natural intuition allows her to connect deeply with every senior she supports, often anticipating needs before they are spoken. Families and residents often request her by name, knowing she will provide care that is rooted in dignity, warmth, and respect.
Her approach to care is patient, communicative, and empathetic. April communicates with remarkable patience and clarity, ensuring that even clients with hearing challenges feel understood and valued. With medically complex residents, she remains calm, gentle, and unfailingly respectful. Whether braving heavy snow to arrive or meticulously tending to the most subtle of health changes, Aprils effortlessly goes above and beyond for the clients she serves.
“We only want April: She understands our mother better than anyone else, and her presence gives our whole family peace of mind. She listens with patience, responds with confidence, and treats our mother with a level of dignity and tenderness that we deeply appreciate.” – Client Family
“Clients adjust their schedules just to have her. April brings a steady calm, gentle reassurance, and genuine joy to every visit. She has a gift for connecting with people, especially those who are anxious or confused.” – Scheduler
Nahin Ahmed – Health Care Aide + Care Manager, Global Senior Care
Nahin is an extraordinary caregiver whose compassion, resilience, and clinical expertise have transformed the lives of seniors at Global Senior Care. Trained as a family physician in her home country, she brought her knowledge and genuine love for helping others to Canada, where she has built a new life as a single mother. Despite the challenges of starting over, Nahin demonstrates remarkable resilience, humility, and strength to ensure every client feels safe, valued and cared for.
As a Care Manager, she is highly respected by colleagues and clients alike. Her leadership style is hands-on and patient – working alongside her team members to ensure they feel confident to deliver high-quality care. Her involvement doesn’t stop at just her colleagues: they extend to their clients as well. Nahin is thoughtful and remembers all the small details. When it is a clients’ birthday, she will go out of her way to get them flowers and write them a handwritten card. This thoughtful gesture immediately reassures families that their loved one is in compassionate hands. Whether she is reuniting a 90-year-old client with his wife, or visiting hospice clients on her own time, Nahin’s thoughtful gestures reflect her profound empathy and commitment to dignity.
On top of it all, she is devoted to her own professional development. She has completed specialized dementia training, earned her Masters in Global Health, and is now pursuing her physician’s license: all while working full time and raising her son. Her dedication to Canada’s health-care sector is inspiring, and the positive statements about her work ethic, leadership, and care is a testament to that.
“… Nahin consistently advocates for our clients, ensuring they experience the highest quality of life in every dimension: mental, emotional, and physical. Her tireless work ethic, courage, and compassion make her an extraordinary caregiver, potential full time care Manager and an exceptional human being. I deeply admire her, value her as a colleague, and am honored to have her in my life. She embodies the very spirit of caregiving excellence, and I can think of no one more deserving for this award.” – Paola Paipilla, Operations Manager
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