News
October 28, 2015Center For Disability Services Employees Receive CP of NYS Awards
Four employees from the Center for Disability Services were honored at the 2015 Cerebral Palsy of New York State awards presentation on October 27 at the Saratoga Hilton Hotel. CP of NYS Staff Recognition Award winners were Kathryn “Kat” Dingman, MS, Special Education Teacher, Langan School at Prospect Center, a division of the Center for Disability Services; Elizabeth Kerins, Manager of Clinical Services, Speech Therapy; Shawn Murphy, Program Coordinator, Day Habilitation Program at Prospect Center and John Rustick, Resident Counselor, Sidney Albert Residence.
Special Education teacher Kathryn “Kat” Dingman, MS, is a 13 year employee who demonstrates exemplary leadership and instructional skills in the classroom and who believes each student is unique and entitled to every opportunity to learn and grow in an enriched environment. She is respected by colleagues, families and students and is known for her enthusiasm and creativity.
Clinical Services Manager Elizabeth Kerins is a 14 year employee who provides outstanding Speech Language Pathology services to almost 400 people who live in residences operated by the Center. She is described as an approachable professional who is a mentor to other staff members and who ensures the people she supports are as independent as possible.
A Program Coordinator in the Prospect Center Day Habilitation Program, Shawn Murphy is a 22 year employee who took on a leadership role in 2013 and who treats all team members respectfully and models the values of the Center. He quickly developed the skills necessary for his new position and balances responsibilities with the direct support duties which are also a part of his role.
Resident Counselor John Rustick has been a Direct Support Professional working overnight in Residential Services for 12 years. He is a role model for his co-workers and the people he supports describe him as good-natured, reliable and flexible, and they depend on him for motivation, leadership and guidance. His positive approach improves the lives of individuals and families.
Dingman, Kerins, Murphy and Rustick were chosen as award winners because they exemplify the Center’s values and are outstanding representatives of all of the staff who make the Center for Disability Services the place where people get better at life.
