Commun ty Matters Kansas City Presbyterian Manor
Kansas City Presbyterian Manor honored for achievements
Kansas City Presbyterian Manor received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica for reaching goals in fiscal year 2014, July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014.
The recognition came through PMMA’s new Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 18 locations to achieve high levels of resident and employee satisfaction, meet financial goals, build philanthropic support for the organization’s mission and meet marketing goals. There are 11 areas measured for the Emerald Awards.
To receive an emerald, a campus has to meet its goals in all 11 areas. Certificates of recognition were given out to campuses that reached their goals in one or more category. Kansas City was recognized for meeting marketing and occupancy goals.
“This recognition is a visible sign of Kansas City Presbyterian Manor’s commitment to the mission of PMMA of providing quality senior services guided by Christian EMERALD AWARD continued on page 2
Art therapist brings passion to her profession
February 2015
By Julie Roush, Art Therapist
Hello my name is Julie Roush, and I am an art therapist practicing at Kansas City Presbyterian Manor. I graduated from Emporia State University with a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in art therapy. Emporia State is the only master’s art therapy program in the state. I have been contracting with NaturallyYours Traveling Art Therapy since the spring of 2007.
I have always enjoyed art and thought Julie Rousch, art therapist at psychology was interesting. My undergraduate Kansas City Presbyterian adviser recommended that I talk to the new Manor. professor for the art therapy department, and I just knew that is the direction I wanted to go. I get to explore various ways to make art accessible for each person I work with as well as see the different ways they can benefit emotionally, spiritually and physically. When the people I work with experience success so do I. It may not look the same each time – and to an observer it may just seem like another art class – but there is always more going on.
Yvonne Sanders watercolors during an Art Therapy session.
Art therapy often provides a way for participants to reclaim a small feeling of independence and freedom that comes with making choices. It gives everyone the chance to be creative. Art therapy also allows an open door for residents to build relationships,
ART THERAPIST continued on page 2