In a small gathering of coworkers at the end September, Melissa Clark, CNA at Bassett Healthcare Network’s Valley Health Services, received an Employee of Distinction Award from LeadingAge New York.

“My job gives me the opportunity to have a positive impact on people’s lives and make a difference every day,” says Clark. “I love to help people who need it most and make them feel comfortable. I go home each day knowing I tried my best to make a difference in someone’s life.”

As a professional association, LeadingAge New York includes over 600 residential care organizations. Member organizations can submit Employee of Distinction nominees for a wide variety of reasons. Clark’s nomination highlights her remarkable work ethic, resident advocacy, and professional decorum. Most importantly, it celebrated her extraordinary resident care.

“As soon as Missy enters the building, her focus is one hundred percent resident-oriented,” says Melissa Ippolito, Director of Nursing at VHS. “Missy knows her residents as well as she knows her own family members. She knows what they like to eat, what they like to wear, where they like to sit, what they watch on TV, and even how they take their coffee.  Our residents are her number one priority every day.”

“It has to be very hard to give up everything they worked so hard for all their lives and now rely on other people,” Clark explains. “So I try my best to make sure they don’t have to worry. All my residents are like family to me and I take care of them the way I would want someone to take care of my family.”

Clark’s compassion and care is clear to her residents as well. “Missy saved my life when I first came to VHS,” shares Ivan Greenwood. “I was very depressed and frail from my illness and she pulled me out of bed and back into life. I will never forget what she did for me. She is amazing.”

“When I started here I was only 17 and never thought I would be here this long,” says Clark. “But after about a year, I knew I was meant to be here.”

Photo Caption: Sebrina Barrett, CEO of LeadingAge New York (right) presents Melissa Clark (left) with the Employee of Distinction Award at Valley Health Services on September 25, 2025. In addition to the certificate, Clark received a $200 gift card.