Hockessin resident recognized as Health Hero of the Year

Hockessin resident recognized as PT Home Health Care Hero of the Year

Michele Puzio, who works at BAYADA Home Health Care’s Delaware Pediatrics Home Health office, helps local children receiving essential care.

Puzio, a resident of Hockessin, was chosen out of thousands of hopefuls as the national Physical Therapy (PT) Hero of the Year by BAYADA Home Health Care. She was honored as a hero for her selfless dedication and commitment to her young clients and their families.

Countless BAYADA clients know that with Puzio on the case, therapy is something they never have to worry about. Her “luminous smile, inspiring passion, and relentless optimism” have helped clients achieve their full potential. Just as importantly, she inspires hope, even when—or especially when—hope is hard to come by.

One example is client Marissa Guariano, who lives with cerebral palsy. Puzio has been working with Marisa for 19 years, helping her accomplish countless goals. Currently, they are working toward a solution to help Marissa achieve her dream of walking up the stairs to receive her diploma at graduation.

“The single most important thing to me is how Michele has been able to reduce Marissa’s pain,” said Marisa’s mother Susan Guariano. “I don’t know what she does or how she does it, but she knows how to reduce and alleviate Marissa’s pain. She has been a constant source of comfort and joy.”

Outside of her BAYADA duties, Puzio is involved with GoBabyGo, a project started at the University of Delaware aimed at increasing mobility and improving quality of life solutions for children whose access to such may be limited during their early developmental years for a variety of reasons. At the latest GoBabyGo event, Puzio helped distribute mobility cars to nine children with varying conditions.

Puzio accepted the prestigious award for exemplifying the highest standards of care at the company’s annual awards meeting held in Washington, D.C. earlier this year.

“Nothing has made me happier than my lifetime of work with my clients,” Puzio said as she accepted the award. “It has been my absolute pleasure and privilege to help these children achieve their greatest potential. I believe that mobility is not only one of our greatest gifts, it is a human right. I am so proud to be a part of an organization that encourages and inspires me to be innovative in helping our children discover their independence, and the joy of living that brings.”

The Hero of the Year Award is part of BAYADA’s Hero Program, which allows the company to recognize and reward those who exceed the highest standards of quality care and work ethic at an office, division, and national level. Heroes can be nominated by their colleagues and clients. All BAYADA employees and clients can nominate any registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, home health aide, or other professional caregivers.