Christian Health Care Center Employee Successfully Performs the Heimlich Maneuver and is Honored as a Legend

Paterson resident Ivette Dela Cruz, a Certified Medication Aide at The Longview Assisted Living Residence at Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) in Wyckoff, was recently honored as a CHCC Legend Quarterly All Star for her immediate life-saving response to a distressed resident at The Longview.

Recently Ms. Dela Cruz was assisting Courtyard residents with lunch. Courtyard is a specialized residence within Longview designed to meet the needs of those with early stages of dementia and memory loss. One resident began to have difficulty breathing and pointed to her throat. Ivette immediately went to assist. The frightened resident pushed her out of the way, and Ms. Dela Cruz calmly said, “Let me help you.” The resident agreed and Ivette performed the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the food. The resident was grateful that Ms. Dela Cruz reacted so quickly. This was the third time that Ivette has successfully performed the Heimlich Maneuver. As Ms. Dela Cruz was leaving at the end of her shift that day, one of the nurses told her to share with her daughters that “their mom is a hero.”

“Ivette’s ability to think and respond in an emergency situation is amazing,” said Pamela Rooney, CALA, CTRS, ADC, Longview Administrator. “Additionally, her willingness to switch between units and work to the best of her ability wherever she is assigned is a great quality. Longview is truly blessed to have Ivette on the care team!”

Ms. Dela Cruz is an excellent communicator and very responsible Certified Medication Aide. She is acutely familiar with her residents and provides exemplary care specific to their needs.

Staff of CHCC nominate co-workers as Legends as part of the Center’s service-excellence initiative. A Legend is someone who exemplifies the mission and vision of CHCC in an outstanding and easily recognizable manner, who contributes exemplary service for the benefit of those served at CHCC and beyond, or who demonstrates behavior above and beyond expectations. Ms. Dela Cruz was nominated by Pamela Rooney.

CHCC provides a broad continuum of high-quality, compassionate care, offering superior senior-life, short-term rehab, and mental-health services. As a non-profit organization, we deliver care to our community based upon the Christian principles on which we were founded more than a century ago.

For more information, visit ChristianHealthCare.org.