As Monarch Healthcare celebrates Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week, we’re recognizing the dedicated professionals who make a difference through compassion, patience and meaningful relationships. For Tamara Moore, Residential Manager at Dogwood House, those relationships are what have kept her at Monarch Healthcare for the past decade.
When Tamara moved from New York to North Carolina in 2016, she expected to return to hospital work. Instead, she found herself applying for a position with Monarch Healthcare and discovering a role that would change her plans. After arriving at Dogwood House and getting to know the individuals who lived there, she quickly realized it was where she belonged.
“I didn’t look for any other hospital jobs or anything like that,” Tamara said. “I’ve got to be here.”
Two years later, she stepped into a management role and has continued serving Dogwood House ever since while building the relationships that have made the work so meaningful.
Building Connections
A typical day for Tamara includes checking documentation, supporting staff and making sure the home is running smoothly. But some of the most important parts of her day happen through simple conversations.
In her office, there are two chairs that rarely stay empty for long. Throughout the day, staff members stop by to talk, check in or simply share what’s on their minds.
“We talk about everything and anything,” Tamara said. “It could be what’s going on in the house or maybe something personal that they may want to get off their chest.”
Those conversations help create the supportive environment she works hard to build for both staff and the individuals who call Dogwood House home.
The Best Part of the Day
When asked what she enjoys most about her work, Tamara’s answer comes easily.
“It’s the individuals. That’s the best part of the day.”
Over the years, she has come to know each person well, learning their personalities, preferences and unique ways of communicating. For Tamara, meaningful support starts with taking the time to understand each individual as a person.
“Even if they’re nonverbal, you still learn what they like, what they don’t like, what they want to do.”
That understanding helps her ensure individuals feel heard, respected and supported in their daily lives.
Relationships Built Over Time
One of the people Tamara remembers fondly is Irvin Parker, an individual with cerebral palsy whom she supported during her early years at Dogwood House. She recalls a morning when Irvin was enjoying cereal for breakfast.
“One day, he had Fruity Pebbles for breakfast, and when he would laugh, he would just spit the food out,” she recalls with a smile.
What stands out most is the relationship behind the story. For Tamara, the Fruity Pebbles that ended up on her clothes and in her hair didn’t matter. What mattered was the joy behind the moment and the bond she shared with Irvin.
“You know the love is there,” she said.
Moments like that remind Tamara why she chose to stay. Through years of shared experiences, conversations and routines, she has built lasting connections with the people she supports.
Creating a Home, Not Just a Program
Tamara believes one of the most important parts of her role is helping individuals feel comfortable and at home. For her, that means listening, paying attention to what people enjoy and creating opportunities for choice and independence.
“It’s their home,” she said. Support starts with “just allowing them to be free to do what they want to do.”
Whether someone wants to spend time relaxing, participating in activities or simply enjoying their daily routine, Tamara works to ensure they have opportunities to make choices about their lives while receiving the support they need.
The Heart of Direct Support
After ten years in the field, Tamara hopes people better understand what it takes to be a DSP and support others in a residential setting.
“It really is hard work,” she said. “You’re caring for people, and they have to really trust you.”
She believes that trust is earned through consistency, patience and genuine care. It’s built one conversation, one interaction and one relationship at a time. For Tamara, those relationships continue to be the most rewarding part of the work.
“The best part of my job is the relationships that I form with the staff and the individuals, and their relationships with each other.”
As Monarch Healthcare celebrates DSP Recognition Week, we thank Tamara and all DSPs for the dedication, compassion and support they provide every day. Through the relationships they build and the trust they earn, they help individuals feel valued, supported and at home in their communities.
Inspired by stories like Tamara’s? A career as a DSP offers the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, help individuals achieve their goals and make a difference every day. To learn more about becoming part of the Monarch Healthcare team, visit our careers page and explore current opportunities.