Paula Perez of Bethlehem has been selected from among thousands of Visiting Angels nationwide as the company’s Caregiver of the Year. The award was announced July 5 during a company-wide Zoom celebration, and will be officially conferred on Perez – along with $5,000 in prize money – at a ceremony later this month.

Perez, who specializes in caring for individuals with dementia, was delighted by the festive atmosphere at Visiting Angels of Bethlehem and stunned when she heard her name announced as the winner. “The girls in the office had it all decked out with balloons, flowers, little cakes,” she said. “We were all hoping and praying, and then we all screamed” with joy as the winner was revealed.

Visiting Angels of Bethlehem hosted Perez’s family and the family of Mary Ann, her main client, for the live-by-Zoom announcement from Orlando. Although the local office had no advance notice of the winner, owner Tricia Wingerter believed in Perez and was confident the judges would see the unique combination of attributes she brings to her important work.

“Paula is incredibly deserving of this award, and we are not surprised she has been named the Caregiver of the Year,” Wingerter said after the announcement. “She doesn’t treat her clients like work. She treats them like an equal. A friend. Paula offers dignity to her clients, a trait of a true caregiver. It is something very difficult to train, but a blessing to witness.”

In a statement to the media, Visiting Angels CEO Larry Meigs praised Perez for her dedication and empathy. “Paula exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond. She is a wonderful representation of our Caregiver of the Year,” Meigs said. “This is a career that requires compassion, patience and dedication. This award honors the demanding work, extraordinary commitment and deep compassion Paula has demonstrated to her clients, often going above and beyond to make sure they are cared for.”

Visiting Angels began franchising in 1998 in the Philadelphia, area. Today, Visiting Angels has over 600 private-duty agencies throughout the United States.