Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is proud to present its 2020 Outstanding Direct Service Provider Award to Brett Syph of Fairfield, Ohio. The award was scheduled to be presented at COA’s March Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, in front of hundreds of people. However, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the award was presented to Syph this summer.
Council on Aging’s Direct Service Provider Award honors an individual who does an outstanding job providing direct service to older adults or people with disabilities, enhancing their quality of life and independence.
Syph was nominated for the award by his co-workers and employer at Nova Home Care. In his nomination letter, Michael Chernov, President of Nova Home Care, said, “Brett exemplifies what being a care provider should be for all who choose to work in the field…He is loved and respected by the clients for whom he provides services…He really is a professional who cares deeply for his clients. This combination of professionalism and compassion is what sets Brett apart from the rest!”
At Nova, Syph is known as the “go-to” employee for clients who are in dire need of assistance and as someone who specializes in serving clients who – because of health issues or a lack of family support – require a higher level of care.
“We appreciate the work Brett does on behalf of his clients,” said Suzanne Burke, COA’s Chief Executive Officer. “His actions reflect admirably on a workforce that is critical to meeting the care needs of the aging population – and that certainly deserves more respect.”