Newton Presbyterian Manor
SEPTEMBER 2020
State of the community By Marc Kessinger, executive director
I don’t know what normal is anymore, none of us do. We keep talking about the good ol’ days and those were only five months ago. What I do know is that we have incredible people working here, living here and supporting our mission each and every day. I also know how connected and caring our staff is. Whether they’re helping a resident connect with family using FaceTime or they’re making Marc Kessinger sure window visits are set up as they should be, our team is making sure everything is taken care of to make the moment special. Each team member has experienced an increased ownership in their role and feels empowered to find ways to make each person’s day a little better. I also know we have an incredible group of independent living residents who we’ve seen do more for themselves than we even realize. These individuals are checking in on our healthcare residents and working together to improve life on our campus. It just shows how strong they are. I know that we have employees who are willing to go the extra mile when they’ve already done the work that’s expected. We have employees willing to work an extra shift, deliver meals or even play hairdresser. STATE - continued on page 2
Newton Presbyterian Manor welcomes two new managers to service team Hiedi Diaz and Hannah Redger have joined our Newton Presbyterian Manor staff. Hiedi began her tenure as the community’s new director of dining services on June 15 and Hannah became the new director of assisted living on July 22.
Hiedi Diaz is the community’s new director of dining services.
Prior to joining our staff, Hiedi served as the Hannah Redger is our new director of executive assisted living. chef/food service director for Pioneer College Caterers serving Christian WELCOME - continued on page 4
Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Bravo of the Month: Carrie Lemke Bravo of the month goes to Carrie Lemke, RN, from Brittany and Brooke: “Carrie was our nurse for the shift, and it was just the three of us in our neighborhood. Carrie gave both of us big chocolate bars with thank you notes on them. When we figured out it was her, she gave us a speech on how much she appreciated us. It was rewarding and motivating to hear how much she appreciated us. All shifts (and always) Carrie helps on the floor, getting call lights and meals. You name it—Carrie helps with it. She helps us not feel overwhelmed as an amazing support, really keeping the positivity flowing wherever she is. Carrie, you are so very appreciated, and working with you is always a joy no matter what the day brings.” Carrie has continued to fill in while obtaining her nurse practitioner’s license. We are blessed to have her! ◆
STATE - continued from page 1
And I know that our family members are frustrated with the situation just as much as we are. Probably the hardest thing our staff has experienced is not seeing residents visit with their loved ones – we miss the joy on their faces. But we know the reality is that this darn virus isn’t going away and our people are the most vulnerable. We are more than ready to reopen
Carrie Lemke, RN
and pray for that every day. But we are bound by guidelines much beyond us. And those guidelines are meant to protect all of the residents, our staff, and the family members that our staff go home to every day. It’s a much larger community that we’re concerned about than just within our walls.
COVID-19.
Until we can open up safely with social distancing measures, we will continue to appreciate the moments we didn’t necessarily have before
We look forward to the day when we’re all in one room together again. ◆
For now, our birthday celebrations are bigger. The pace is slower and has created a more relaxed atmosphere for employees to spend more one-on-one time with residents. We will continue to find special ways to make our residents feel at home and comfortable.
Anita Fenwick promoted Anita Fenwick joined Presbyterian Manor in December 2014 as a charge nurse in health care and became assisted living director nine months later. In March 2020, Anita was promoted to director of health services. Congratulations, Anita! ◆
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NEWTON Presbyterian Manor
316-283-5400 ◆ Fax: 316-284-5900 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2020
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Newton Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: ndickinson@PMMA.org Marc Kessinger, executive director Noelle Dickinson, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Celebrating milestone birthdays
Joan Ulmer’s family found creative and beautiful ways to help her celebrate her 90th birthday.
COVID-19 updates continue
Ultimate Chiefs fans
Bill Wilbur and Life Enrichment Assistant Riley Rodriguez have both been looking forward to the 2020 Chiefs season, but both might agree that it’s OK to replay last year and enjoy the same result as well.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership. PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families are posted to your community website, NewtonPresbyterianManor.org/ covid-19. ◆
Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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NEWTON Presbyterian Manor
1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
WELCOME - continued from page 1
colleges in four states. In her current role, she keeps data updated for all menus, dietary restrictions, financial statements, sanitation records and temperature logs, while overseeing scheduling and ordering. She also ensures that all local, state and federal policies and regulations are met. In addition to the work itself, Hiedi says that she has especially enjoyed the dedication and overall mission of service she has found in her fellow staff members. “I love the compassion that the employees of Newton Presbyterian Manor have for their residents— everyone has a servant’s heart,” said Hiedi.
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Away from work, Hiedi enjoys spending time with her husband at their home on Marion County Lake, kayaking and singing in the choir at Marion Presbyterian Church and with Sweet Adeline’s. As for Hannah, she comes to the community after spending 12 years at Newton Medical Center, where she worked on the medical floor, in the wound clinic and as a case manager. During her career, Hannah has also served as a clinical research coordinator, assisted in clinic research studies and has worked as a traveling nurse on numerous floors at several hospitals. At Presbyterian Manor, Hannah oversees the daily operations of
COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2020
independent and assisted living where she works to ensure that all residents have the resources needed to live as independently as possible. Her decision to join our staff was based partially on her past experiences with the community as well as the chance to grow and expand professionally. “This position is an opportunity to broaden my nursing career,” said Hannah. “I had several years working with the elderly population, but in previous roles I haven’t had the chance to build long lasting relationships with patients.” Hannah and her husband, Jake, have three young daughters and three dogs and together they enjoy being outdoors and traveling. ◆