At Maxim Healthcare, providing for patients and their families is more than a job—it’s a calling. Our dedicated servant leaders offer quality care while also understanding that a diagnosis does not define a person. They provide comfort to those in their care. They empower families. They extend invaluable support and inspire each other. They are the heart of our company and the guiding light by which we operate and we recognize them here.
Caregiver of the Year
While each of our caregivers deserves recognition every day, the Maxim Caregiver of the Year program highlights servant leaders who embody our values, demonstrate excellence and set the standard for compassionate care.
We honor our incredible team of healthcare workers who make a tangible impact on patients’ lives and the families they serve.
2025 National Nurse Caregiver of the Year
Sothavy Pfaff, LVN
Sothavy brings remarkable consistency and compassion to her role, with more than three decades of experience. Guided by a deep passion for helping others, she has cared for the same patients since childhood—now well into adulthood—while also mentoring future nurses through volunteer work at a local college. Her steady, compassionate presence has provided lasting stability and peace of mind for the families she serves, reflecting Maxim’s commitment to always putting others first.
2025 National Behavioral Caregiver of the Year
Mackenzie Leischner, RBT
With a rare blend of clinical expertise, meaningful connection and servant leadership, Mackenzie is known for meeting children exactly where they are and helping them feel safe, seen and supported. Her impact extends beyond her clients, as colleagues consistently share that her mentorship builds confidence and strengthens their practice. From helping families witness their child communicate for the first time to turning challenges into meaningful progress, Mackenzie brings to life Maxim’s commitment to elevating care and empowering lives.
A look back at our previous winners
2024 - Caitlin Drumel, RBT
Ask her patients and her colleagues to define Caitlin Drumel, and you’ll most likely hear the words adaptable, flexible, funny, brave, relaxed, outgoing and extraordinarily committed. Caitlin joined Maxim just two years ago as a behavior technician in our Carlsbad, CA regional office. Within just seven months, she excelled to a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) position. Mackenzie Quiroz, Business Development Manager and Caitlin’s nominator, shared, “From day one, she has encompassed Maxim’s core value of elevating care to empower lives.”
2024 - Bill Shields, LPN
For 29 years, Bill Shields has devoted his life to nursing, and 24 of those he’s spent with Maxim. Bill embodies the kind of compassionate servant leadership that defines the Maxim Healthcare difference. For the past 16 years, he has cared for a patient living with ALS. As a Veteran, Bill understands how ALS disproportionately impacts Veterans, and his empathy always shines through.
2023 - Tina Paradise-Hall, LPN
Tina Paradise-Hall, LPN, from Kansas City, Kansas was the 2023 National Caregiver of the Year. Tina cares for Sammy, a boy with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and has helped him make gains in his communication and academic skills.
2022 - Barbara “Barb” Buttchen, RN
Barbara “Barb” Buttchen, RN from Madison, Wisconsin was the 2022 National Caregiver of the Year. A nurse for over 52 years, Barb cares for Nathaniel a man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Watch the video to learn about Barb’s care and dedication to her patient.
2021 - Sharon Verreault, RN
Sharon Verreault, an RN from Maxim’s Portland, Maine office was named the 2021 National Caregiver of the Year. Sharon has been a Maxim nurse for over ten years. Her dedication to Alex, an 11-year-old with a rare neurological disorder led to nomination for this award. Watch the video to see how Sharon helped Alex overcome his “failure to thrive” diagnosis.
2020 - Gerayne Yelkin, LPN
Gerayne Yelkin, LPN from Omaha, NE, was named Maxim Healthcare Services’ 2020 National Caregiver of the Year. Gerayne has been a nurse for more than five decades and has spent 28 of those years caring for her patient, Josie Moore. Josie was a victim of a spinal injury during birth, which resulted in her being ventilator-dependent and quadriplegic.
2019 - Mireille Rogers, LPN
Mireille Rogers, LPN, was named National Caregiver of the Year. Nominated by the Taunton, MA office, Mireille was recognized for her outstanding commitment to her patient, Jocie. Watch the video to see how Mireille’s clinical skills and quick thinking ultimately saved Jocie’s life.
2018 - Susan Scott, LPN
Susan Scott, LPN, was named the 2018 National Caregiver of the Year. After losing her husband, Andy, to ALS, Susan moved to Boston to Virginia and applied to work as a Maxim Healthcare Services caregiver in Woodbridge. Susan was assigned to her patient, Rick, and learned that he, too, needed around-the-clock care due to his ALS. After overcoming her trepidation, she realized their pairing serendipitous.
