The Westview News

Press Release
Employee of the Month
Date
April 21, 2026

      Hayleah Castleberry merited recognition as Westview’s Employee of the Month for February 2026. As a Certified Nursing Assistant at Westview Health Care Center, Hayleah forms essential connections with patients and residents across their continuum of care. Through both clinical attentiveness and compassionate presence, she ensures that each individual receives not only the support they need, but the dignity they deserve. While the responsibilities are considerable—requiring both physical effort and emotional awareness—Hayleah approaches each day with a steady commitment to her patients and her team. Teamwork is central to Hayleah’s approach. She values the cohesion of her nursing unit; noting that communication is the foundation of their success. The ability to convey essential information quickly and effectively allows the team to remain focused where it matters most—on patient care. This shared understanding creates an environment where collaboration is seamless and support is constant.

      Hayleah grew up in Moosup and attended Norwich Technical High School. Hayleah earned her CNA certification directly through an accelerated program at Norwich Tech. She entered the healthcare workforce upon graduation; building a strong foundation of experience over her five years at Westview thus far. Hayleah has gained valuable knowledge while becoming a consistent and dependable presence within the nursing team.

      Meaningful moments of care are often on display at Westview, and one such interaction recently reflected Hayleah’s humility and unassuming dedication. At the end of a full day’s activities in assisting a resident, she was met with a simple but heartfelt expression of gratitude as the resident expressed her appreciation for Hayleah and the nursing team, telling her “Thank you for today—you did great!” For Hayleah, kindred interactions like these serve to remind her that the work she performs each day carries profound significance. While providing care is routine for staff, it represents something far greater to the people they assist.

      Outside of work, Hayleah enjoys spending time with family and embracing the natural beauty of New England. She resides in Putnam, CT with her boyfriend, William, and remains closely connected to her family across the Windham County region. Whether visiting New England beaches (Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic, CT is a favorite), exploring regional hiking trails, or competing in spirited family game nights, Hayleah values quality time spent with those closest to her. Monopoly competitions, in particular, are known to frequently spark lively rivalries whenever the board is set.

      Reflecting on her recognition, Hayleah expressed gratitude and a strong sense of team unity. “I am grateful to be selected as Employee of the Month—it was definitely a surprise! While this represents an individual acknowledgment, I know our responsibilities are a team effort. Teamwork and communication are huge factors in accomplishing our goals. We all work together to keep our residents and patients at the center of our efforts.” Hayleah continued to illustrate the sense of unity she feels among patients, residents, colleagues, families, and visitors alike: “We build connections with each individual and appreciate how we get to know their families through the process. There is a strong bond throughout Westview—and I am so thankful for this recognition!”

      Westview Administrator David T. Panteleakos commended Hayleah’s consistency and compassionate approach to care. “Hayleah’s commitment to her patients’ care, her reliability as a teammate, and her ability to foster meaningful connections make her an invaluable member of our nursing team. Congratulations to Hayleah!”

Westview Health Care Center is a 103-bed inpatient skilled nursing facility, which includes a distinct and self-contained 28-bed sub-acute short term rehabilitation unit and outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapies including: Sports Medicine, Adolescent/Pediatric, Adult, and Aquatic Outpatient Centers, all dedicated to providing outstanding quality health care services. The Dayville, Connecticut facility is consistently ranked among the top nursing facilities in the nation, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as well as U.S. News and World Report, consecutively for the past years.