2023 Ann Baiada Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award Winner

Carolyn Fontana awarded the 2023 Ann Baiada Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership

BAYADA Home Health Care Director of Assistive Care Clinical Operations Carolyn Fontana, RN, CRRN, was chosen among several exceptional hopefuls to win the Ann Baiada Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership by BAYADA Home Health Care, a leading nonprofit health care provider. Fontana was selected for her ability to inspire and bring out the best in others.

The Ann Baiada award is named in honor of former BAYADA Director Ann Baiada, RN, CRRN. It is given annually to one outstanding BAYADA clinical leader who has personified Baiada’s legacy to empower, inspire, and support other nurses through their work. Baiada, an RN and certified rehabilitation registered nurse leader, was instrumental in the creation of the company’s BAYADAbility Rehab Solutions program.  

Fontana, who has been with BAYADA for 30 years, began her career as a field nurse and steadily rose through the organizational ranks. Fontana’s diverse background makes her an ideal leader and role model as she is also a certified rehabilitation nurse and master dementia trainer, allowing her to offer support and guidance to her teams.

Fontana’s ability to teach, inspire, and influence is so pronounced many at BAYADA call it “The Carolyn Effect.” In 2022 alone, Fontana supported 12 assistive care offices, empowering 21 BAYADA Clinical Managers who supervised 912 home health aides as they provided personal care services to clients.

“Carolyn is the rock that our team relies on,” said BAYADA Practice President Matt Kroll. “In the worst of times, her calm, caring demeanor, and solution-focused attitude is a driving force that helps offices and individuals under her care make the impossible possible.”

Fontana accepted the prestigious award from Ann Baiada herself at BAYADA's annual Awards Weekend held recently in Washington, D.C.

“It’s just such an honor to be up here and receive this award,” Fontana said. “Everybody out there, we all deserve an award because we all do such wonderful work for our clients and employees. I truly love what I do every day, coming to work.”

The Ann Baiada Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award

The Ann Baiada Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership was established in honor of Ann Baiada's countless contributions to BAYADA Home Health Care. Baiada was one of BAYADA’s earliest directors—an RN and certified rehabilitation registered nurse leader instrumental in the creation of the company’s BAYADA Rehab Solutions program.

This award is given annually to celebrate and acknowledge one outstanding BAYADA clinical leader who exemplifies Baiada’s legacy to empower, inspire, and support their fellow nurses and those whose lives they touch at BAYADA, and embodies our core values of compassion, excellence, and reliability. 

Learn more about the Hero Awards program and Excellence Awards at jobs.bayada.com and apply to start your career in caring today.