Editor’s note: McKnight’s Home Care, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News are profiling the McKnight’s 2023 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 5 to Aug. 15. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Fifteen years ago, as a high school student, Darlene Corporan accepted an invitation to participate in a brand-new internship at The New Jewish Home. It was a decision that would shape the trajectory of her professional career. Corporan graduated from the three-year program and became a certified nursing assistant. As a first-generation immigrant, she was able to support herself by working as a CNA while she earned her degree, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. She is working towards an RN degree and also plans to pursue a master’s degree in education.
Since then, she has continued to climb the healthcare career ladder at The New Jewish Home, studying to become a licensed practical nurse and being promoted to clinical care manager. Since 2019, Corporan has played an integral role at the facility, managing its quality improvement efforts, including wandering and elopement prevention and nonpharmacologic approaches to behavior management. She also has become skilled at collecting validated data and educating staff on new processes. Corporan successfully oversaw the presence of the National Guard when they were deployed to The New Jewish Home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to all of those extra projects, Corporan still finds time to develop trusting relationships with families and residents. She regularly volunteers to fill in on other units when needed, and families and residents throughout the facility ask for her by name after experiencing her superb communication skills, dedication and warmth.
Colleagues say that Corporan also helps boost staff morale with her optimism, can-do attitude and thoughtfulness. She remembers her team members’ birthdays and coordinates celebrations to help them feel special. She personifies each of The New Jewish Home values, including extending welcome, embodying compassion, respecting one another, increasing knowledge and affirming dignity.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Home Care, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. PointClickCare is the Diamond sponsor of this year’s program. PharMerica is the Silver sponsor. Additional sponsors include American HealthTech, Healthcare Services Group, Omnicare, Sentrics and ShiftKey.
Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2023 and previous years.
