Folsom nurse honored

Lynnelle Fothergill, a 30-year licensed vocational nurse at Folsom Care Center, is one of 20 skilled nursing professionals chosen from across California to receive a 2021 Super Star Award from the California Association of Health Facilities. With her cheerful personality, kind smile and willingness to always show up on both good days and bad days, her coworkers and residents agree that Fothergill deserves the Super Star award. "Lynnelle is an excellent nurse," said Folsom Care Center's director of nursing, Chris Hamer. "During a brief outbreak of the Covid-19 virus a year ago, Lynnelle canceled a previously-scheduled vacation and then took extra shifts until her colleagues impacted by the virus could return to work. She definitely put the residents and her coworkers ahead of herself, and we were all appreciative of her example." Fothergill started her nursing career in her late teens when she completed the certified nursing assistant program at Folsom Care Center. After several years as a hard-working certified nursing assistant, Fothergill added to her education and skill set by completing the licensed vocational nurse program. She then moved to Chicago for a few years before returning home to Folsom. Fothergill has been a licensed vocational nurse for 34 years and will mark her 30-year anniversary as a licensed nurse at Folsom Care Center in January. The Facility Super Star Awards recognize employees of California Association of Health Facilities member facilities who have 10 or more years of service and have dedicated their lives to long-term care. With a nominee pool of more than 1,000 facilities throughout California, the top 20 nominees are selected by the association's Board of Directors to receive the award and attend the awards ceremony. Fothergill and her fellow award winners will be honored at the 2021 California Association of Health Facilities annual Conference and Expo on Nov. 14 to Nov. 17 in Palm Springs. Founded in 1950, the association is the largest provider of continuing education for long-term care providers in California, representing 900 skilled nursing facilities and 450 intermediate-care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.