Elizabeth Obeng, far left in the back row, with membes of the Dwyer family and Vivian Burton, Clinical Services quality improvement specialist, third from left in back row
The Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts has named Elizabeth Obeng, a registered nurse with Northeast Arc Clinical Services, as its Clinician of the Year. Obeng, a resident of Lowell, Mass., was honored during an event on November 15 at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy, Mass.
The Clinician of the Year award honors a nurse or therapist who showcases clinical excellence in their work; a commitment to individual professional growth; special contributions to their agency and colleagues; a special degree of caring and commitment to patients; and longevity in the home care profession.
“I’m so honored to receive this award from the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts,” said Elizabeth Obeng. “I have dedicated my career to helping others, and I truly view all of my patients as an extension of my family.”
Obeng, has worked for Northeast Arc Clinical Services since 2006 and cares for children and adults with complex medical needs. Many of the patients Obeng works with are non-verbal and non-ambulatory, requiring an extra level of care to ensure their needs are being met.
“Elizabeth is an exceptional nurse, and a model for what home-based healthcare should be,” said Miah Miller, director of Northeast Arc Clinical Services. “Elizabeth’s patients are among the most medically complex in the state. Without the care provided by nurses like her, many of these patients would be forced to live at institutions, instead of at home with their families.”
This impact is seen in the Dwyer family of Littleton, Mass., which has received care from Obeng for more than 20 years. Sue Dwyer has her own children with disabilities, ranging in age from 8 to 45 years old, and regularly fosters infants and children who are medically fragile.
“Elizabeth’s clinical skills are excellent, but just as important, she treats all my children with acceptance and affection,” said Sue Dwyer. “As a former ICU nurse I am overprotective of my children, but I never have to worry working with Elizabeth. Our family would not be complete without her.”