DSP of the Year 2024
Sarah Ramsey
Sarah Ramsey has been an employee at AIM for just shy of a year, but her impact is immense as she empowers the people she serves and inspires her fellow direct support professionals. Sarah demonstrates care and dedication to the people she serves, and pride and love of her workplace, qualities that are sought when awarding the June MacClelland DSP Award for Excellence (DSP of the Year Award). Her coworkers at AIM repeatedly speak of her kindness and dedication to her job. When asked what has inspired her in her life and work, she credits her parents. “My parents always taught me to wear my heart on my sleeve and skip to your own beat. They taught me to treat people the way I want to be treated in life and I will go farther than the moon, and to never judge a book by its cover because it is what is inside that matters.”
Below, we catch up with Sarah to speak about her time at AIM and her DSP of the Award.
Q: What drew you to AIM and this line of work?
Sarah: I was actually just searching for a job in general and I found AIM. I have always dreamt of being a nurse and I just felt that I can fit in here. I feel like this job fell into my life and I am where I need to be, and where I will stay and grow.
Q: How did you feel when you saw you were nominated and then won DSP of the Year?
Sarah: I didn’t even know I was a DSP of the quarter until someone told me! Then, when I found out I was nominated for DSP of the Year, it was a really incredible feeling! All of HR and the Residential Program Directors came to our house staff meeting to announce that I won. My team was so excited for me, and I felt great.
Q: What has kept you at AIM for the last year?
Sarah: I came to AIM not knowing what to expect. The people I support have made me feel so welcome and important in their lives. It is amazing to see the people I support grow. It is a great reward to be here and watch all of the progress. Inevitably, the people I support feel like family. I also feel that with my coworkers; a little AIM family. I love that there is always an opportunity to grow here at AIM.
Q: What do you love about your job?
Sarah: Everyone is so welcoming, both the people I support and coworkers. When I go to the office, everyone is there for you. This is just a great environment.
Q: Do you have a favorite memory from supporting people at AIM?
Sarah: I have a few memories that mean a lot to me. First, I took a gentleman I support on the Minne-Ha-Ha in Lake George. Someone asked if I was his daughter and he jumped in and said , “Yes, she’s my daughter!”. When they left, he turned to me and said “We’re family like that”. I also take a woman I support to the salon . The last time she said to me “You always help me feel like a brand new woman”.
Q: What do you
want to say to someone considering a job in this field, or just starting out?
Sarah: You need to have an open mind, and a kind heart. Explore your options and the different experiences here. You will not know if this is right for you until you give this a chance.
AIM extends its gratitude to Sarah and all of the dedicated Direct Support Professionals that enhance the lives of the incredible we support at AIM. Thank you!