2004 Oley Award Winners
The Annual Oley Awards Program recognizes homePEN consumers and family members
who exhibit courage and perseverance in overcoming the adversity of illness and
are generous in the effort of helping others. Congratulations to all winners and
nominees!
LifelineLetter Annual Award Winner
Malisa Matheny, Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Diagnosed as a young teen with pseudo-obstruction, Malisa has been on HPN,
and sometimes HEN, for 11 years. Almost from the start she's been involved at
Oley. She was one of the first teenagers to volunteer as a Regional Coordinator,
she's helped with numerous conference youth activities, and she's been a
tremendous advocate for summer camp experiences for homePEN youth.
Watching her blossom into an capable, caring adult has been a pleasure. Her
choice to pursue a career in pediatric nursing comes as no surprise. She is
always giving generously of her time. In addition to working in the hospital,
Malisa volunteers for many health-related organizations like CHOP, REACH and
others. She also continues to coordinate special experiences for chronically ill
youth, like trips to Canyon Ranch and wellness days for friends in a local
support group.
Over the years she has helped hundreds of Oley members. She is a great listener
and always has something positive to say to the teens, the younger kids, and the
parents who care for them. She goes above and beyond to stay in touch with a
large network of consumers, writes many cheerful messages, sends care packages
and visits them.
She's built a wonderful support network for herself as well, which has been
especially critical this year to help her as they investigate the possibility of
her having a second, new diagnosis: a mitochondrial disorder. True to her
spirit, she is researching the disease, and adjusting to her lower energy level
one day at a time. It is a privilege to honor Malisa today with this award and
to share her shining example with everyone in the homePEN community.
Nominees:
Stephanie Harlow, Matthew VanBrunt
Oley Foundation Young Adult of the Year
Korey Harlow, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Oley member Korey Harlow, 12, has Inflamatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and
Eosinophilic Gastro Enteritis Disease (EOG) He's had a G-tube since he began
middle school, was the first recipient of the new GJ button at his hospital and
modeled the device for anyone wishing to see it. Korey has faced some
uncomfortable issues such as changing for gym in a locker room full of
pre-adolescent boys and having to explain the plastic button on his abdomen, and
having tube feedings for lunch while his friends eat "real food". He has always
faced these challenges with poise and dignity.
In fact, Korey actively works toward raising awareness of IBD and how it affects
the lives of those who've been diagnosed with this unforgiving disease. Korey
has testified to the Virginia State Commission on Health Insurance, where he
wrote his own statement about how his life is impacted by his illness. He's also
made a documentary for C.U.R.E.D. describing life wth EOG and how his family has
coped, and will participate in the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Hill Day.
Korey has three brothers with EOG who all have G-tubes. He helps his mother care
for his siblings and fully cares for himself. He's an expert on pump maintenance
and function, he mixes formula, makes his own bags for school and troubleshoots
errors with his pump. He's also a leader of a group of students with IBD at
Freedom Middle School, and provides them with motivation and inspiration on a
daily basis.
Korey manages to have excellent attendance and maintains high academic
standards, despite struggling with pain and the effects of large doses of
steroids and 6MP. He's a member of the Art Club and Science Club, and plays
trombone in the school band. He has also been awarded numerous blue ribbons for
his horse riding skills.
For his unwavering perserverance, his inspirational role-modeling for others and
his work to raise national awareness, we are proud to present Korey with Oley's
Young Adult of the Year Award.
Nominees:
Emily Koprucki, Amherst, NY
Rachel Schten, Novato, CA
Samantha Fallacara, Cheektowaga, NY
Devin Barss, Regina, SK
Kyle Noble, Grove City, OH
Celebration of Life Award
Megan Gravenstein, Huntsville, Texas
At 22, Megan's lived with intestinal failure for almost all of her life, and in
recent years Hepatitis C as well. She's faced these trials with tenacity and
vigor- embracing her community, her education and her independence.
Despite spending most of her high school junior and senior years in the
hospital, she graduated on time, and received the Senior Merit Award from her
Drama Department and the Human Spirit Scholarship. She walked across the stage
for her diploma to a standing ovation. Megan now lives fully independently,
attending Sam Houston State University full-time while also caring for older
relatives and her three feline roomates. She's studying criminal justice and
plans on a career in child-advocacy.
While most patients would not be able to attend school full-time and participate
in community outreach programs, Megan has showed motivation that surprises her
doctors, family and friends. On days when she's experiencing severe pain or
exhaustion from being up all night, she's managed to get out, accomplish her
tasks and get through a full school day. She's treasured her time in school, has
directed a play for her Drama Department and has even traveled to England to
study Shakespeare with her theater class. Additionally, Megan has committed
herself to visiting a nursing home during the holidays with gifts and flowers
for the residents. Even when Hepatitis took away her ability to walk, she
retaught herself and managed to visit her elderly friends; her smile never
waivered.
We are proud of Megan's perseverance and growth into an independent, caring and
capable woman. Her attitude is "can do" and her focus is on the positive, but
it's her zest for life that makes her truly deserving of the Celebration of Life
Award.
Nominees:
Samantha Fallacara, Cheektowaga, NY
Todd Friedman, San Pedro, CA
Jake Ryan, Alexandria, VA
Albee Ginger Bolinger, Rio Rancho, NM
Diana P. Rhodes, Powys, UK
Dawn Dewien, East Amherst, NY
Nan Couts Award for the Ultimate Volunteer
Richard Patt, MD, Houston, Texas
Dr. Patt's dedication to patients is evident through his home-based private
practice where patients can relax in his garden or discuss their cases in his
living room. He has cared for Oley member and HomePEN consumer Megan Gravenstein
(winner of the Celebration of Life Award) for many years and was a guest speaker
at this year's conference. His formation of the National Chronic Pain Society
and his volunteerism of time and money to this cause further illustrate his
devotion to patients, regardless of their diagnosis.
The first conference for chronic pain sufferers was spearheaded by Dr. Patt and
the national Chronic Pain Society would not exist without his efforts, money and
time. Instead of working with a large organization or group of doctors, Dr. Patt
has opened his home and his heart to his patients, as demonstrated by one
grateful woman who delivered a banana pudding to thank him for caring for her
dying husband, despite the fact that he was not a privately insured, wealthy
man.
Last year, Dr. Patt opened his home for a fundraiser dinner where he was able to
arrange for Dr. Patch Adams to be the special guest speaker. Although Dr. Adams
was the special guest, the evening's stories, told by family members of current
patients and those that have died, revolved around Dr. Patt's dedication to
those in his care and the fact that in his case, care is not profit-driven but
instead driven by compassion and old-fashioned, hands-on caring.
Dr. Patt's dedication to sufferers of chronic pain and homePEN consumers is what
makes him so deserving of the Nan Couts Award for Ultimate Volunteerism.
Nominees:
Anne Julmann, RN, Waukesha, WI
Melinda Parker, MS, RD, San Francisco, CA
Kerry Stone, RD, San Diego, CA
Lenore Heaphey Grassroots Education Award
Ruthann Engle, Streetsboro, Ohio
A TPN consumer for 14 years due to Short Bowel Syndrome, Ruthannn has taken an
active role in developing the northeastern Ohio Oley support group in the past
few years. With help from Jim Cowan and Bert Gelle she has increased the initial
membership of four to the current membership of 20.
Ruthann provides members of her group with current clinical articles, insurance
updates and information on national Oley meetings and publications. She also
arranges for a speaker at each of these regional meetings who brings fresh,
innovative and valuable information to the group. She makes regional Oley
information available through e-mail to those individuals who are unable to
attend those meetings. She's also been a valuable contributer to the
LifelineLetter.
Ruthann is an integral and invaluable asset to the Oley Foundation, and has
illustrated true dedication to the education of parenteral and enteral nutrition
consumers. Her volunteerism has earned her this year's Lenore Heaphey Award for
Grassroots Education.
Nominees:
Robin Lang, York, ME
June Bodden, Clearwater, FL