Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services (HCS) is delighted to announce that Jessica Mack and Michael Kolodziej have been named recipients of the 2026 Susan G. Ashworth Commitment Award.
Jessica Mack, MBA, SHRM-CP, CHC, Senior Director of Human Resources and Corporate Compliance Officer
Since joining the organization in 1997, Jessica Mack has held a variety of roles, each marked by a commitment to excellence, continuous learning, and an unwavering dedication to our mission. Throughout her career, Jess has demonstrated a willingness to take on new challenges and complex responsibilities, always approaching them with determination, professionalism, and humility.
In her role as Director of Operations, Jess served as a vital partner to every department, overseeing facilities and information technology while supporting the countless functions that keep HCS running smoothly. When the opportunity arose to become Director of Human Resources, she embraced the challenge wholeheartedly, devoting herself to mastering a new discipline and earning professional certification in Human Resource Management. She further expanded her expertise through advanced certification in Healthcare Compliance, Lean Yellow Belt training, and certification as an AVADE trainer.
Jess has always embraced growth, not simply for her own benefit, but for the benefit of the organization and the people she serves. Through HCS’s educational assistance program and as a recipient of the Barbara Duckett Scholarship, she earned her MBA while continuing to lead and support others.
While her accomplishments and credentials are impressive, they are not what most define Jess’s impact on HCS. What truly distinguishes Jess is the way she cares for people.
As a Human Resources leader, she combines deep expertise with genuine empathy. She is a tireless advocate for employees, ensuring they have access to opportunities for growth, development, and success. Under her leadership, educational support at HCS has evolved far beyond traditional college coursework, creating pathways for employees to pursue certifications, specialized training, and professional development that strengthen both their careers and our organization.
Employees seek out Jess because they know they will be met with understanding, fairness, honesty, and respect. She is a trusted advisor, a careful listener, and a steady voice during difficult situations. She is forthright when honesty is required, discreet when confidentiality is essential, and unwavering in her commitment to doing what is right.
Jess embodies the qualities that this award was created to recognize. She has an abiding love for HCS and its mission. She willingly takes on complex and challenging work. She is forthright in conversation, fair in her decisions, and calm under pressure. Perhaps most importantly, she understands that our greatest asset is our people and dedicates herself every day to helping them succeed.
Michael Kolodziej, RN, Associate Director of Clinical Operations
Mike joined HCS ten years ago as a newly graduated Registered Nurse. After completing a community clinical rotation with us, he discovered what would become his professional passion: home care. From the very beginning, Mike recognized the profound impact that caring for patients in their homes could have, and HCS became the place where he would build his career.
Over the past decade, Mike has steadily grown through a series of increasingly challenging roles, serving first as a field clinician, then as a clinical manager, and now as Associate Director of the VNA. At each stage, he has demonstrated exceptional dedication to our patients, our staff, and our mission.
Every day, Mike expertly navigates two critical responsibilities. First, he ensures that our patients receive the high-quality care and services they deserve. At the same time, he works tirelessly to support the nurses, therapists, social workers, LNAs, office staff, and administrative team members who make that care possible.
Those who work with Mike describe him as kind, thoughtful, observant, and exceptionally skilled at understanding the full picture before acting. He is not someone who rushes to judgment or quick conclusions. Instead, he takes the time to understand the issue at hand, considers the perspectives of everyone involved, and then finds the best path forward.
When patients call with concerns, they feel heard. They trust that Mike will listen, understand, and help resolve the problem. His clinical staff know they can depend on him for guidance and support as they navigate the challenges of delivering care in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. Our administrative and intake teams view him as a true partner, someone whose first instinct is always to roll up his sleeves and work collaboratively toward a solution.
But beyond his professionalism and leadership, Mike brings something equally important to HCS: his humanity.
Mike knows his staff. He knows their strengths, their stories, and often their quirks. He takes the time to build relationships, to listen, and to be fully present in every conversation. He makes people feel valued because they know they have his full attention and his sincere respect.
These qualities reflect the very spirit of the Susan G. Ashworth Commitment Award. Mike’s commitment to HCS is evident in everything he does. He embraces difficult and complex challenges with determination and creativity. He is fair, thoughtful, and calm under pressure. He is forthright when difficult conversations are needed, and he approaches every situation with integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to serving others.
About the Susan G. Ashworth Award
In 2018, the Board of Directors for HCS voted to honor the rich contributions of Susan G. Ashworth, then-Director of Community Relations. From launching Meals on Wheels in Cheshire County to uniting local visiting nurse groups into HCS and creating cornerstone programs like Friendly Meals, City Express, Friendly Bus, and the Castle Center, Ashworth shaped the organization the community knows today. She also twice served as Interim CEO and became the trusted face of HCS in the community. Ashworth was the first recipient of the award for commitment that now bears her name.
