Case Manager of the Month: April

Apr 01, 2019

Maria Aguayo was nominated for this award by the family member of an individual that Maria serves. The nomination stated, "Maria is an amazing Case Manager. She is a person who will go above and beyond to make sure that her clients are taken care of. Checking on them when there is bad weather. She is a great listener and gives good support."

Maria writes, "When I got the email that I had been nominated for CM of the month, my response to writing my 'thank you,' was much like Merritt Wever's response when she won her first Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in Nurse Jackie (circa 2013). 'Oh my gosh. Thank you so much. I've got to go. Bye,' and I run off stage speechless and in shock. That, however, was not an option and I very much needed to say thank you for this very public recognition. It is beyond anything I would have ever expected to receive for doing a job that I truly love.

"My first experiences with my people began when my mother worked at Muscatatuck State Developmental Center. I would visit the units to see her and my friends. When I was with them, I could never stop smiling. It always felt like a place I was supposed to be. My adventures with IPMG started 10 years ago this month. Ten years! The longest job I have ever had that I didn't ever think I would be cut out to keep. Most people don't know, but I hold a BS in Political Science and a BA in International Studies from the University of Evansville. Yes, the famous people from that University are just coming out of the woodwork!

"My first post college job was in a political campaign office in Fort Wayne, IN. Subsequent three- to five-month campaign assignments had me all over Indiana, but never provided a sense of 'YES! This is where I want to be.' So, between campaign jobs, I worked for a provider agency as a support staff, and I found a piece of where I was supposed to be. After two years of off-and-on campaign work and a lot of overtime in my houses, I was offered a campaign job in Iowa. I took it. The 'dream job.' I put in my two-week notice, packed up my car and drove to Iowa. After way too many hours on the road, I visited my office, got yelled at by my soon-to-be boss, took a tour of my 'new life,' and then told them 'I quit.' I missed my people too much and I had only been gone for 2 days! Plus, this wasn't supposed to be my life and I knew it. They were in shock. I was in shock, but I got in my car and drove back home with the biggest smile on my face because I knew where I was supposed to be. I rescinded my two-weeks’ notice while somewhere in Illinois and kept working until I figured out how I was going to use my crazy degrees to make working with my people permanent. It took a while, but one morning at 3 am a job posting popped up for a case manager. I applied, got hired (Thanks Chris St. Paul!) and I never looked back. I found my place and my people.

"Ten years is a lot of time, but it has also gone by in the blink of an eye. In that time, I added a husband and daughter to the mix. Lost and gained special people and friends. Kids are no longer kids, but full-grown teenagers and adults! Some are ready for retirement and some won't even think about it. Lots of growing pains and even bigger successes. I am so blessed to have been part of all of it and hope to continue for a very long time. To the family who nominated me, thank you so very much. You are the best. I also want to say thank you to every one of my people, every family, and every Team member. You challenge me, you encourage me, you make me smile, and you fill my cup."

If you would like to nominate your case manager for this award, please contact us or send an email to customerservice@gotoipmg.com.