Homefront Health Care has named Emily Thaler, RN, the Madelyn Burnham Caregiver of the Year for outstanding patient care.

Homefront Health Care is a Joint Commission accredited, non-profit home health agency. It specializes in the care of the chronically ill, including frail elders, adults with disabilities and children with special health care needs.

Each year, Homefront recognizes the work of one caregiver from each of its six branch offices and its pediatric nursing program. The seven honorees are chosen from the more than 300 Homefront employees across the state.

One of the seven nominees is further honored as Homefront's Caregiver of the Year.

Presented since 1990, the award is named after the late Madelyn Burnham, a longtime nurse at Homefront, who was integrally involved in developing and conducting nursing assistant training in the state of Rhode Island.

Thaler, a Warwick resident who works in Homefront's Pediatric Nursing Program, was honored for her work with pediatric clients in both a home and school setting. Thaler has been with Homefront since 1996 and has worked in various capacities, including pediatric home care and geriatric medication management.

"The employees at the school where Emily works with several children rave about how Emily fits in so well with all the students, aides and teachers and how she always jumps right in to help with all of the children," Homefront's Director of Clinical Services Cherrylyn Simmons, BSN, RN said in a statement. "Emily is a true professional in all aspects of the word."

Established in 1966, Homefront provides high quality, comprehensive home health care through a team of nurses, therapists, CNAs, homemakers, social workers and companions. Offices in Providence, Woonsocket, Warwick, Glocester, East Providence and Westerly enable Homefront to serve more than 1,500 clients in nearly every part of Rhode Island.