Dear Friends and Colleagues,
September 8-14, 2024, is National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week and the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is commemorating the occasion by honoring our entire statewide Direct Support Workforce and inducting 24 direct care workers who have been named “DSPs of the Year,” into our Direct Support Hall of Fame.
These professionals are the best of the best and were nominated by the people they work with as being consummate employees and unmitigated examples of what it means to be a Direct Support Professional.
Below is a list of the DSPs of the Year for 2024.
Region 1
Julie Appenheimer, Western NY
Kerri Wilkey, Western, NY
Anitra Spencer, Finger Lakes
Stephanie Smith, Finger Lakes
Region 2
Timothy Fitzpatrick, Broome
Eric Loucks, Central NY
Nicolette Bochenski, Central NY
Region 3
Del Constantino, Capital District
Evan Wagner, Capital District
Amanda Sarvis, Sunmount
Merry Barney, Sunmount
Region 4
Janet Williams, Hudson
Taura Combest, Hudson
Alla Bowser, Taconic
Darlene Baker, Taconic
Region 5
Charleen Chambers-Martin, Brooklyn
Gabriel Hernandez, Brooklyn
Earle Russell, Metro NY
Jamahl Humbert, Staten Island
Shaneequelakeeya Pierre-Antoine, Staten Island
Region 6
Sajal Somadder, Bernard Fineson
Ernestine Murray, Bernard Fineson
Ferdinand DeOcampo, Long Island
Yolanda Trent, Long Island
Please join me in recognizing all direct support professionals everywhere. They are DSPs of the Year every day.
Sincerely,
Willow Baer
Acting Commissioner
