Family Focus

PPH celebrates Kristy Byrnes’ promotion

We are excited to announce the promotion of one of our long-term employees in the Business Office. Kristy Byrnes has been promoted to the position of Business Office Manager.

Kristy has been working at PPH for 16 years. Prior to her recent promotion as Business Office Manager, she worked as our Billing Manager, and processing Medicaid applications for the nursing home.

In Kristy’s new role, she is responsible for overseeing the business office, managing all Accounts Receivable (Insurance, Medicaid and private pay), managing the QSC (Quality Service Coordinator) schedule, and managing the day-to-day administrative tasks to ensure the business office and mail room run smoothly. She also manages the administrative functions of the finance department, such as record keeping of electronic resident information and files.

In light of the staff changes, Kristy has a lot of expectations with her new role, especially with the retirement of Barbara Stanton. “It’s given me an opportunity to make the department my own”, says Kristy. “I feel like it’s an opportunity for me to step up, and make some changes for the business office.”

When not working at PPH, Kristy enjoys spending time with her children, which always keeps her busy. With her children getting older, she thinks it will be an opportunity to expand her horizons for new hobbies. Kristy loves to spend her summer outside gardening and relaxing in her pool in her backyard. One of Kristy’s goals for this summer is to travel more, just recently visiting North Carolina. She will be going on a vacation to Hawaii with her family in September.

Congratulations on the promotion, Kristy!

The meaning behind the Thirteen Folds

The flag-folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded.

1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life

2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

4. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature. As American citizens trusting in God, it is Him we turn to in times of peace, and in times of war, for His divine guidance.

5. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country. In the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

6. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

7. The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they are found within or without the boundaries of our Republic.

>>>continued on page 5, Thirteen Folds

PPH residents and staff celebrate Juneteenth

Residents and staff celebrated Juneteenth with music, line dancing, games, including cornhole and giant jenga, and a Juneteenth quizzo!

New residents at PPH

Sherry Slutz

Sherry moved to PPH after recently living in Cottman and Bustleton in Rhawnhurst. Sherry worked as a registered nurse in the Temple University Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant unit. She attended Northeast High School and graduated from Thomas Jefferson University with her nursing degree. Sherry’s favorite hobbies include knitting and crocheting. Welcome to the PPH family, Sherry!

Selma Young

Selma moved to PPH after recently living in Wyndmoor, and originally grew up in Virginia. Selma worked as a teacher in public schools in Philadelphia. She attended Northampton High School in Virginia. She has one daughter and one grandson. Welcome to the PPH family, Selma!

Choir of Angels

by PPH resident Maryann C. Volk

There is an unsung Choir of Angels at PPH working together to nurture Mother Earth and keep our plants healthy. I speak from experience, and the services I receive from our greenhouse volunteers has been outstanding.

I would like to acknowledge our Greenhouse Volunteers for their hard work in maintaining our greenhouse, including Alpha residents Dot Behm, Marie Campbell, Martha Klingbeil & Sylvia Metzler, and volunteers Lorraine Busch & Kate Halus. I have some tips for maintaining healthy plants during the summer and winter seasons.

During the summer:

1. Provide advice about plants indoors and outdoors.

2. Provide soil, food, medication, clipping, and repotting.

3. Supply sprouts whenever you are planting on your balconies.

During the winter:

1. Make sure you store your summer plants in the greenhouse.

2. Return your outdoor plants in warm temperatures.

3. Water your plants.

Whatever your plants need can be found in our Greenhouse, thanks to our Choir of Angels. Gratitude to all of you!

Unheralded Heroes

by PPH resident Velma N'Jai

Ellen F. Eglin: Ellen was an African American inventor who revolutionized the chore of laundry. Ellen worked as a housekeeper, and engaged in back breaking laundry work. In 1888, in an effort to improve the laundry process, she invented a special type of wringer, a machine that had two wooden rollers attached to a crank. However, she received no credit or financial success from it and sold it for $18. By 1900, her invention found a home with the American Wringer Company.

Madeline M. Turner: Madeline Turner was an African American woman who invented the Turner Fruit-Press in 1898, although the first patent was not filed until 1916. She was granted the patent on April 25, 1916. It is the original blueprint on which all modern juicers are based, allowing consumers to enjoy at any time.

Valerie Thomas: Valerie Thomas is an African American woman physicist, inventer, and NASA data analyst. She invented the illusion transmitter, for which she received a patent in 1980. The illusion transmitter can reproduce an image at a remote site using parabolic mirrors, and was adapted by NASA and is used in surgery, as well as for televisions and video screens.

>>>Thirteen Folds, continued from page 2

8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

9. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood. It has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that has molded the character of the men and women who have made our country great.

10. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, who has also given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.

11. The eleventh fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

12. The twelfth fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

13. The thirteenth and last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it has the appearance of a cocked hat, reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones. They were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the United States Armed Forces, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.

Employee of the Month: Niurka Jessie

Niurka has been with PPH since April 2017 in our Personal Care Department as a CNA. She is always willing to jump in and help where needed. She is caring and compassionate with the residents and staff. We are happy to have her as part of the PPH family!

Congratulations Niurka! Thank you for doing “Whatever it takes.”

Volunteer of the Month: Lucille Hite

Congratulations go out to Lucille Hite of Lawndale Manor, who is the “Volunteer of the Month” for August 2023.

Lucille is a dedicated volunteer who is active in our Auxiliary and an assistant in the Gift Shop. Lucille helps any way she can and always in a very cheerful, pleasant way.

Lucille, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all you do! You truly are an asset to our Volunteer Program.