Commun ty Matters Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
In memory
November 2018
Boone reflects on change, sense of community In her 18-plus years at the community, Cammy Boone has experienced a lot—a lot of change and a lot of close, personal bonds. As the director of nursing/health care services, some of the biggest changes she has been a part of have been the community’s switch to more and more electronic systems and processes and the overall evolution of its culture.
When you visit with long-standing members of the Presbyterian Church and reminisce on the history of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, the work of Dr. Frederick Maier, a retired Presbyterian minister from Arkansas City, will play a key role in the conversation. It was Dr. Maier who originally outlined the vision for the community and issued a challenge to the citizens of Arkansas City in a letter he sent to the Arkansas City Traveler in 1962. That letter concluded with the statement: “There are various ways this problem can be approached if a group of citizens have a mind to do so.” Neva Bahruth, a current resident of Presbyterian Manor and member of the First Presbyterian Church, remembers Dr. Maier fondly. COUPLE, continued on page 3
“Everything is so much more personcentered now instead of being scheduled,” said Cammy. “Everything is resident-based. Less institutional, more personal. Not everybody needs or wants the same thing and residents are now given what they need and want specifically.” Beyond the procedural and cultural changes, Cammy has also been on the job during several major construction projects. “They did a remodel several years back where they took out the nurse’s station and completely remodeled and updated the entire health care unit,” said Cammy. “That was one of the biggest physical changes I’ve been a part of.” Despite all of the changes, Cammy points out that the communal spirit of Ark City Presbyterian Manor has remained. “I have always loved the family like atmosphere and the way bonds are created between co-workers, staff and families, and staff and residents,” said Cammy. “It’s just one big community.” Adding to that family atmosphere is the fact that Cammy’s own grandparents are residents at the community. Away from work, Cammy enjoys fishing, reading and cooking—especially chocolate chip cookies and French dip sandwiches. She has been married to her husband, Justin, for 19 years and has two daughters and a soon-to-be one-year-old granddaughter.