From Typewriters to Tablets: Colleen Thomas' 40-Year Journey at BAYADA

Imagine working at the same company for over 40 years—before the internet, before smartphones, even before most offices had computers! That’s exactly what Colleen Thomas has done. Her incredible journey started in 1984 when she saw a job ad in the newspaper (yes, an actual printed newspaper!).

Back then, office technology was completely different. Instead of emails, people sent letters. Handwritten information had to be entered into a central database, all from one physical location. The outgoing computer at BAYADA Headquarters was massive—bigger than a refrigerator!

Colleen and Mark Baiada

Colleen, a young computer programmer at the time, helped lead BAYADA into the future. She wrote software to speed up work, trained employees, and even introduced offices to their first fax machines. “That was a big deal back then,” she says. “It was like magic—sending a paper through a machine, and it showed up somewhere else!”

As the company grew, so did Colleen’s role. She helped introduce computer networks, online scheduling, and mobile technology. Today, she leads multiple teams that keep hundreds of offices and thousands of employees connected with the latest tech—including tens of thousands of tablets used by nurses and clinicians to provide exceptional care in homes across the country.

Colleen and Mark with her Excellence Award

So, what has kept Colleen at BAYADA for 40 years? She says it’s the people. “It always felt like home,” she says. “Mark, our founder, built a culture of kindness. You never feel like a number—you feel like family.”

“I was in my early twenties when I started,” she adds. “I grew up here, and Mark was a role model to me.” Like him, Colleen still believes in teamwork, setting goals, and celebrating every success.

Now, she looks ahead, excited about artificial intelligence, faster systems, and better tools to support employees. Her advice to future workers? Embrace change, keep learning, and find a company that feels like home.

In 2024, David and Mark Baiada presented Colleen with her 40 Years of Service Award.

After 40 years, Colleen Thomas is still shaping the future of BAYADA. With every technological advancement, her team makes it possible for more clinicians to spend more quality time caring for people in need—right where they belong, in the comfort of their own homes and communities.

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