Servant’s Heart: Brad Davis loves his job and he loves being there for his residents and colleagues

“I can’t think of a more deserving caregiver than Brad Davis. He works from an underlying integrity, strong work ethic, and incredible compassion that drive him to serve others no matter who presents in need. He is consistent and reliable in providing the type of care anyone would want for their loved one as well as the type of care that builds and strengthens positive culture. He is both a caregiver and an educator, not only leading by example with safety standards, but providing teaching sessions to ensure team members know how to deliver safe care with a confident and gentle approach.”

Derek Culbertson, Senior Director of Presbyterian SeniorCare Network’s Washington Campus, had this to say about Brad Davis, and he meant every word of it. Which is part of the reason why LeadingAge PA chose Davis as their 2025 Direct Caregiver Award recipient. He exemplifies everything the award is in place for – dedication, compassion, professionalism and problem-solving – and he is spoken very highly of by countless people all around him.

“I don’t know how he does it,” Davis’s wife stated. “He’s so kind and patient with me, then goes to work and spends all day caring for others, to then have to come back home to help me again.”

There is no question Davis has a huge heart and a sense of compassion. On the homefront alone, he takes care of his wife each and every day without any complaints. He has a smile on his face and shows her unconditional love constantly.

Then he goes to work at Southmont of PSCN and keeps that same smile on his face. Davis loves what he does, and his heart is always in the right place.

In fact, he got his start because he became his grandmother’s caregiver when she was diagnosed with dementia. It opened his eyes to that world of senior aging cognitive decline, and he realized that he did not want his grandmother to be the last person he helped in that regard.

“Brad works as a CNA in our dementia neighborhood and always goes above and beyond the requirements of his position, exhibiting an unwavering dedication to enhancing the lives of the residents in his care,” Southmont Executive Director Max Bondi said. “What sets Brad apart is his innate ability to connect with residents on a deeply personal level, offering not just physical care, but emotional support that leaves a lasting impact.”

One of the criteria of the Direct Caregiver Award is “compassionate care with a person-centered philosophy,” and that describes Davis to a T. He has a way of connecting with residents and being there for them, and he really just wants what is best for them all.

“Besides being a hands-on caregiver, Brad is also a CNA Team Leader,” Director of Nursing Betsy Openbrier said. “He is very involved in mentoring new staff members and vested in resident and employee safety. Brad meets with our new employees and trains them on proper lifting and transfer techniques.”

So not only does Davis want what is best for his residents, he wants what is best for his colleagues. He is the type of individual that you can approach about anything, and he is going to show you the ropes and lead by example. Yet another criteria of the Direct Caregiver Award he fits to a T.

He is a loyal individual too, showing his commitment to what he does on a daily basis. Davis genuinely loves his job and he loves the community, which is why he has been there as long as he has been.

“Brad has faithfully served Southmont for 28-plus years,” Culbertson said. “He began his work as a CNA Level 1, then earned CNA Level 2, and currently serves as the CNA Team Lead and Mentor.”

Davis has worked his way up by working hard, putting patients first, and being the ideal colleague. He will also tell you that he is exactly where he is called to be, as he prayed about what he was supposed to do in his working career. He originally wanted to be a registered burse, but he realizes this is right where he needs to be.

“Whenever there is a CNA needed for a special resident event, it’s never a surprise to see Brad has volunteered his time,” Culbertson said. “Brad has been known to step in and support residents that don’t have family or regular visitation, ensuring their needs are met and they know they are loved and not forgotten.”

Davis goes above and beyond his duties on a daily basis. He is not afraid to put in the extra work, not for the accolades or the money, but because that is how much he cares.

He cares so much that he will represent his residents in whatever way they need it. If some of them need extra care or need extra time spent with someone who cares, Davis will step right in.

“Brad loves to cook! Several years ago, he asked if he could cook a Thanksgiving dinner for the residents of the neighborhood,” Openbrier said. “He wanted to do family-style dining and he asked about inviting the resident’s families.”

Davis cooked turkeys and had the residents’ family members bring their favorite desserts as a way to help the seniors stay connected in a special way. Plus, he made sure they held Thanksgiving dinner a week in advance so the families could spend time together while making sure they didn’t miss their family Thanksgivings.

Davis has skills on skills, and he is more than just the resident cook. He has a lot of technical skills too, which comes in handy when working in a senior care community.

“Beyond his technical skills and knowledge, Brad is a natural leader among our staff, always willing to lend a hand or offer guidance to others,” Bondi said. “Brad comes in early for his shifts so that he can talk with the midnight employees. When issues arise with residents, it is often Brad’s intervention ideas that help in the future.”

“I wish I had the space and the time to be able to capture all of the incredible stories that have occurred as a result of Brad’s character, but the truth is that Brad has a new story of making a difference in someone’s life each and every day,” Culbertson added. “That is not an exaggeration. Numerous team members, family members, residents, and even vendors have made it a point to find leadership and ask how they can leave a compliment for Brad.”

Now that is a true caregiver who cares. Davis has everyone’s best interest at heart every single day, and he is highly respected and spoken about. He makes such a difference in the Southmont community and beyond, and it is no wonder he is the LeadingAge PA 2025 Direct Caregiver Award winner.