May 2026
Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) Nursing Team
WellSpan Philhaven Behavioral Health
Lancaster
United States
Nancy Keefer, LPN; Michele Shenk, LPN; Kenia Perez Gonzalez, MA; Fior Vallejo; Linh Nghiem BS
The CADD Nursing Team delivers compassionate, safety-centered, and clinically excellent care for individuals with developmental disabilities, combining technical skill, trauma-informed flexibility, and innovative supports to create safe, trusting, and person-centered healthcare experiences.
The CADD Nursing Team exemplifies the highest standards of compassionate, skilled, and safety-centered nursing care for one of the most complex and vulnerable populations—individuals with developmental disabilities. These individuals often experience significant behavioral health challenges, which can impact their access to care and experiences in medical care settings. CADD’s nursing team consistently demonstrates extraordinary professionalism, empathy, and clinical excellence in situations that require both technical skill and exceptional emotional intelligence.
The individuals served at CADD can present with high levels of problem behavior, including aggression and self-injury. Despite these challenges, the CADD Nursing Team has developed a reputation for completing vital signs and other essential nursing tasks with remarkable calm, consistency, and success. Their ability to welcome warmly and personalize care allows for a calmer environment that adjusts to the patient’s needs, builds trust, and creates a sense of safety. This allows patients to participate in care that might otherwise feel overwhelming or frightening.
A defining feature of this team’s story is their unwavering commitment to workplace safety and patient safety. They are diligent in using FYI patient violence safety flags, proactively identifying high-risk individuals during daily safety huddles, and adjusting workflows to set patients and families up for success. Their flexibility—whether that means modifying the environment, adjusting the sequence of care, or taking extra time to build rapport—reflects a deep understanding of trauma-informed and person-centered practice.
One of the team’s most innovative contributions is the creation of a social story to help patients understand what to expect during vital sign collection. This tool has reduced anxiety, increased cooperation, and empowered patients and families to feel more prepared and supported. It is a simple yet powerful example of how the team continually seeks creative solutions to improve care experiences.
Beyond their direct patient interactions, the CADD Nursing Team provides exceptional support to providers. They ensure thorough follow-up between appointments, communicate changes or concerns promptly, and serve as a reliable clinical anchor for the entire team.
The individuals served at CADD can present with high levels of problem behavior, including aggression and self-injury. Despite these challenges, the CADD Nursing Team has developed a reputation for completing vital signs and other essential nursing tasks with remarkable calm, consistency, and success. Their ability to welcome warmly and personalize care allows for a calmer environment that adjusts to the patient’s needs, builds trust, and creates a sense of safety. This allows patients to participate in care that might otherwise feel overwhelming or frightening.
A defining feature of this team’s story is their unwavering commitment to workplace safety and patient safety. They are diligent in using FYI patient violence safety flags, proactively identifying high-risk individuals during daily safety huddles, and adjusting workflows to set patients and families up for success. Their flexibility—whether that means modifying the environment, adjusting the sequence of care, or taking extra time to build rapport—reflects a deep understanding of trauma-informed and person-centered practice.
One of the team’s most innovative contributions is the creation of a social story to help patients understand what to expect during vital sign collection. This tool has reduced anxiety, increased cooperation, and empowered patients and families to feel more prepared and supported. It is a simple yet powerful example of how the team continually seeks creative solutions to improve care experiences.
Beyond their direct patient interactions, the CADD Nursing Team provides exceptional support to providers. They ensure thorough follow-up between appointments, communicate changes or concerns promptly, and serve as a reliable clinical anchor for the entire team.