Honoring our Connections
2016 Annual Report
It is one part of life you cannot avoid. From the moment you are born, you instantly become connected with dozens of people. The roots your family has established and the people within their inner circle become the examples after which you model your own life. As you grow older and branch out into your own neighborhood, school, and faith community, that network of influences begins to multiply. Even if you decide to move away for college, work, military service, or to follow the love of your life, you remain linked to the people, places, and institutions that have helped mold you. Those connections never go away. Here at St. John’s, we are constantly learning about newly discovered connections between elders, employees, volunteers, and loved ones. We hear about the resident who ran a day care center and cared for an employee’s children for several years.
Gordy Law has found “a whole new life” at the Hawthorne at St. John’s Meadows; p.4
St. John’s Meadows resident Joyce Henck’s husband Sam lives at St. John’s Home on the Rose Neighborhood; p.6
Or, the social worker who was inspired to come to work for St. John’s after we took care of her grandmother at the end of her life. St. John’s Meadows will soon turn 20 years old and we have even started to see sons and daughters of former residents move into the community where their parents lived for years. The fact that St. John’s is an established provider of senior services for over a century certainly helps foster these incredible connections. At the same time we know that tradition alone is not enough to satisfy a new generation of potential stakeholders. The transition to Small Homes has created intimate neighborhoods throughout St. John’s Home with more desirable private rooms for elders to call home. We are in the planning phases of a 5-year renovation at St. John’s Meadows to begin by the end of 2017. Even Brickstone by
Rose Neighborhood elders have recently started enjoying regular visits with residents of Brickstone; p.8
Brickstone by St. John’s receives prestigious honor in our Year in Review for 2016; p.10
St. John’s and our Green House homes in Penfield—relatively new communities established over the past few years—are being enhanced to meet the needs of savvy consumers. The pages ahead tell individual stories of connections made by a few of our valued stakeholders. They also collectively illustrate how connections grow when a person joins the St. John’s family. However you are personally linked to our St. John’s family— whether you have donated time or funds or perhaps made the decision to live in one of our St. John’s communities—we truly value our relationship with you. All of these special connections have molded St. John’s into what it is today.
2016 awards were given out at our annual recognition event to acknowledge outstanding volunteers; p11
Volunteers from the Eastman School of Music are treating elders at St. John’s Home to live music; p.12
Charlie Runyon President and CEO
Ann Wood Chair, Board of Directors
Music lover Vicky Romig is teaching piano to shahbaz Barak Teklemariam at the Green House Homes; p.14
Green House Homes resident Frances Barone is aunt to our new St. John’s Foundation Executive Director; p.16
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At 96, a Whole New Life
The Hawthorne is the Perfect Fit for this Longtime Volunteer Gordon “Gordie” Law remembers the year he started volunteering at St. John’s Home. It was 1986, and his church—St. Boniface Catholic Church on Gregory Street—had assembled a group of parishioners to visit with elders once a week. “Right away, I felt at home there,” says Gordie, a Kodak retiree who lived in his home off of Mount Hope Avenue for over six decades. “Over time, I really got to like the whole organization.” Several years later, when Gordie needed a place to recover from knee surgery, he and his family chose the rehabilitation center at St. John’s Home. Following another operation last winter, he once again found himself staying at St. John’s Home for an extended period of time. It has been a year since Gordon Law transitioned to the Hawthorne, a St. John's assisted living community, and he could not be happier. His daughter Joan—who lives exactly seven minutes away from him—feels the same way. “We wanted him to stay with St. John’s and
we were ecstatic when he was able to come to the Hawthorne,” says Joan, who spends time with her dad as often as she can. In the past year, Gordie and Joan have even taken two vacations together—something that may not have been possible with other living arrangements. “He can still go away for a bit and not have to worry that he would lose his apartment.” When Joan or one of Gordie’s other children are not visiting, he is busy immersing himself in one of the several activities going on at the Hawthorne and throughout St. John’s Meadows. For Gordie, “there is always something going on.” At the same time, the Hawthorne staff provide him with the support he needs while allowing for the autonomy he deserves. This perfect balance of support and independence at the Hawthorne has kept this longtime St. John’s volunteer linked to the organization he has been so involved with for over three decades.
Gordie is a member of The Meadowlarks, a new singing group comprised of almost 25 residents of St. John’s Meadows. Another member of the group is Joyce Henck, wife to Sam . . .
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A Familiar Home for This Retired Practitioner
Physician Returned to Place he Admitted Patients Years Before Only a select few can say with confidence that their career was spent helping shape hundreds of the brightest minds in medicine. Sam Henck happens to be one of those people. In fact, it is entirely possible that your own family’s doctor learned his or her craft under Dr. Henck’s tutelage. If so, he or she may have even been one of the several dozen University of Rochester medical students who walked the halls here at St. John’s Home alongside Dr. Henck. “He would admit patients here to St. John’s Home,” says Joyce Henck, Sam’s wife of 55 years. During the late 1970s and into the 80s, Dr. Henck was Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester and a practicing physician with Highland Family Medicine. He often brought his medical students to round on his patients, giving those physicians-in-training a firsthand look at long-term care, a specialty that at the time was not as familiar throughout the medical field as it is today.
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With St. John’s move away from an institutional model of care to the Small Homes initiative, a lot has changed in 40 years. One thing that has not changed is the search for peace of mind that families embark upon when looking for nursing home care for a loved one. That search is one that Joyce, like the families of Sam’s patients from four decades ago, lived through four years ago. “I could finally sleep at night knowing he’s here,” says Joyce, who lives at St. John’s Meadows and visits Sam in his private room at St. John’s Home at least three times a week. “When he came here, he said to me ‘at least I know I’m in a good place.’” Much like Dr. Henck did for the families of his patients throughout his career, Sam’s family can rest easier knowing he is truly at home at St. John’s.
Sam lives on the Rose Neighborhood, the first small home at St. John’s Home. The elders from the Rose Neighborhood have developed a special relationship with a group of resident-volunteers from Brickstone by St. John’s . . .
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It all Started with a Tour
Small Homes Visit Inspires New Volunteer Program Shortly after the Rose Neighborhood hosted a dedication and ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of renovations in March 2016, a group of curious residents from Brickstone by St. John’s took a trip to see the enhancements firsthand. Nearly a dozen residents organized by volunteer coordinator Jean Loomis toured the revamped neighborhood located on the sixth floor of St. John’s Home. While the group who volunteer coordinator Jean Loomis calls “Friends of St. John’s Small Homes” were impressed by the updates made to nearly every aspect of the neighborhood, it was the new friends they met that day that has enticed them to return. “Jean thought it would be nice to do things with them and for them,” says Marty Keller, one of residents from
Brickstone involved in this initiative. “This has been a great way to brighten their day.” Since that day, volunteers from Brickstone have made two return trips to St. John’s Home to visit and share in activities. This great relationship between Brickstone residents and elders living at St. John’s Home is still evolving. On a recent Monday afternoon, eight elders along with a pair of shahbazim and a therapeutic recreation specialist from Rose hopped on a bus and took the short ride to the Wintergarden at Brickstone. Their friends from Brickstone made sure to roll out the red carpet for them, treating them to a special party that included lunch and a performance by the Brickstone Chorale.
Brickstone by St. John’s and SWBR Architects shared a major design award in 2016. The collaboration was selected as the sole winner amongst nearly 50 other project entries submitted from across the country . . .
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2016 in Review Brickstone by St. John’s and SWBR Architects received the Award of Merit from Environments for Aging (EFA) at its 20th annual Design Showcase. Three residents from St. John’s Meadows and Brickstone by St. John’s took the “Honor Flight,” a weekend trip to Washington D.C. designed to give military veterans a chance to visit war memorials throughout the city with other men and women who served. CEO Charlie Runyon (James W. Sanderson Award for Leadership) and Vice President of Skilled Services Rebecca Priest (Thomas Clarke Memorial Award) took home prestigious honors at the 2016 LeadingAge New York Conference. On March 2, 2016, St. John’s marked the grand opening of our first “small home.” The event served as a formal dedication to celebrate the new Rose Neighborhood located on the sixth floor of St. John’s Home. St. John’s was selected as a “Health Champion” by the American Diabetes Association. This designation recognizes companies and organizations that inspire and encourage organizational well-being. St. John’s was also named a finalist in the Rochester Business Journal’s 2016 “Wealth of Health” awards. A group of St. John’s Meadows and Brickstone residents traveled to St. John Fisher College throughout the fall semester to participate with college students in a “Campaigns and Elections” class.
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ST. JOHN’S MEADOWS
2016 Volunteers of the Year
7,784
Volunteer Hours
118
Resident Volunteers BRICKSTONE BY ST. JOHN'S
2,448
Volunteer Hours
73
Resident Volunteers Soon after Carolyn Vasile retired from her job as service coordinator at CP Rochester, she started volunteering at St. John's Home— a place where both of her parents and her grandmother all called home for a time. Carolyn volunteers her time in the gift shop, as an assistant with the Green Thumb Society, on outings and trips in the community, and during ice cream socials and other activities and programs. Carolyn’s dedication touches the lives of countless elders here at St. John’s Home!
An active member of the Rochester Rotary and volunteer at her church, Marty Keller moved to Brickstone and has not slowed down! She serves on the Brickstone Library and Nominating committees and is one of the organizers of the Coffee House Series. She also shares her technical expertise with fellow residents needing help with their iPads. Additionally, Marty has been more than willing to contribute to initiatives throughout the St. John’s organization, such as St. John’s Golf Tournament and the Small Home volunteer group.
People of all ages choose to become volunteers at St. John’s. Some have finished long professional careers, while others are just beginning . . .
ST. JOHN'S HOME AND PENFIELD GREEN HOUSE HOMES
14,800
Volunteer Hours
25,032
Total Volunteer Hours
225
Active Volunteers*
447
Total Volunteers**
* Includes 20 St. John’s Home elders ** Includes 31 volunteers from the community contributing at St. John’s Meadows and Brickstone by St. John’s
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Friday Mornings Have Never Sounded Better
Eastman Students Embark on Musical Tour through St. John’s Small Homes Letitia Jap and Kenneth Kam are doctoral students at Rochester’s prestigious Eastman School of Music. These young adults manage busy schedules full of the typical activities you would expect from advanced music students at one of the nation’s top schools. Yet, despite the hours they dedicate to classes, rehearsals, social activities, and planning for their future careers, somehow Letitia and Kenneth have both found time to share their talents with a unique set of eager audiences. Friday mornings this spring, Letitia (violin) and Kenneth (classical guitar) traveled to St. John’s Home, playing 30-minute sets for elders and guests in two separate neighborhoods each week. For Letitia,
the opportunity to perform for a different type of audience appealed to her as a musician. However, the advantages of volunteering her time to play for elders go further than that. “To hear the people here sing or to see them dance to the music in their seats is so much fun to watch,” says Letitia. “Seeing the joy the music brings to them is so rewarding and reminds me why I do what I do.” Like any great volunteer program, the benefits flow both ways. Jackie Swift lives on the Rose Neighborhood at St. John’s Home and has appreciated fine music her entire life. “It was absolutely incredible,” says Jackie, who especially liked the tango piece Letitia and Kenneth performed. “Everybody was tapping their toes.”
Music brings people together throughout the St. John’s community. Penfield Green House homes elder Vicky Romig teaches piano to St. John’s shahbaz Barak Teklemariam . . .
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A Bond Strengthened Through Music
Green House Home Elder Shares Her Passion St. John’s Green House Homes in Penfield just might be the perfect place for a music lover like Vicky Romig to call home. Most mornings she wakes up in her private room to Celtic music playing from her Bose music system. Throughout the day there are many opportunities to cultivate her love of music and enjoy her favorite art form with those around her. “There are lovely music programs here, especially concerts,” says Vicky, who just turned 89 years old. “I haven’t missed one of them, and I’ve been here almost two years.” Vicky started playing piano when she was six years old, but arthritis in her hands has hindered her ability to continue playing later on in life. While she can no longer play the piano the way she used to, that has not stopped Vicky from sharing her knowledge and experience with others. A willing pupil whom she sees three times a week has spent the last few months learning to play with Vicky as his personal instructor.
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“Vicky has a very interesting life history,” says Barak Teklemariam—a St. John’s shahbaz working in Moore house where she lives. As he became more familiar with the details of her life, he learned that Vicky has taught others to play, including two of her grandchildren. “I like music and never had a chance to learn piano,” says Barak “She still knows everything just by hearing.” Both Vicky and Barak benefit from an environment that fosters interpersonal relationships between elders and staff. “I can’t play the piano anymore, and that makes me very sad,” says Vicky. “But that’s life.” Still, she has the unique opportunity to help Barak develop a similar passion for playing. Watching the two seated together at the piano, you can see the look of satisfaction on Vicky’s face. “I enjoy passing along what I’ve learned, and Barak has really gotten quite good.”
One of Vicky Romig’s neighbors at the Green House Homes is Frances Barone. Frances’ niece Anne McKenna recently returned to St. John’s after 10 years to become the new executive director of the St. John’s Foundation . . .
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Message from the Foundation Sometimes the most powerful connections we make are formed later in life. A friendly neighbor who shows us the ropes because he knows what it is like to be the new guy on the block. The bus driver whose dependability and always pleasant manner makes going back-and-forth to doctor’s appointments a bit less of a burden. The caregiver who almost immediately becomes a friend for life. The physical therapist who motivates us to take those few extra steps as we recuperate from surgery. St. John’s Foundation has the unique privilege of helping donors honor these new connections as well as ones that have endured over decades. Know that when you make a contribution to St. John’s Foundation, the impact your gift brings will reflect the spirit in which it was intended. Donations can support one-of-a-kind experiences for elders or help fund long-term initiatives like our Small Homes Project. As we continue to revolutionize the way that skilled services are delivered in the Rochester area, please know that your generosity makes a world of difference in the lives of those throughout the St. John’s family both today and in the future.
Anne McKenna CFRE, President
St. John’s is grateful to all who contributed to St. John’s Foundation in 2016. A list of donors can now be found in each issue of St. John’s Living. 16
George Yeadon Board Chair
2016 St. John’s Foundation Financials
$7,610,716
$1,873,250
TOTAL ASSETS
GRANTS
2016 Consolidated Financials
Resident Revenue : $49,250,520
$65,202,670 Total Revenues
Rental Revenue : $13,674,986 Pension Related Gains : $881,188 Other Revenue : $1,395,976
$2,010,701
Operating Income Salaries and Benefits : $38,191,103
$1,188,484
Changes in Net Assets
Other Direct Expenses : $3,291,455 Pharmacy : $440,578
$63,191,969 Total Expenses
Purchased and Contracted Services : $4,727,046 Supplies and Materials : $3,944,716 Taxes and Assessments : $3,103,267 Bad Debt Expense : $1,255,660 Depreciation and Amortization : $3,915,228 Interest : $4,322,916
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Leadership Team
Board of Directors
Charlie Runyon President and CEO
St. John’s
St. John’s Meadows
Ann Wood, Chair Robert Boehner, Chair Elect William Wallace, Secretary/Treasurer James Dole Dominick Mancini Mick McCue
James Dole, Chair Phil Litteer, Chair Elect Krista Vardabash, Secretary/Treasurer Dorothy Haelen James McBride Ann Wood
St. John’s Home
Brickstone by St. John’s
Robert Boehner, Chair William Wallace, Chair Elect Michelle Westrich, Secretary/Treasurer Helen Halewski Anna Lynch Bridget Shumway
Mick McCue, Chair Pietro Giovenco, Chair Elect Suzanne Tunnell, Secretary/Treasurer
Paul Bartlett Vice President, Senior Housing Joanne Braeunle Corporate Strategy Officer Robert Earl Vice President and CFO Jennifer Lesinski Vice President, Marketing Anne McKenna Executive Director, St. John’s Foundation Rebecca Priest Vice President, Skilled Services Diane Wiley Vice President, Work Life
Penfield Green House Homes Dominick Mancini, Chair Carol Brink, Chair Elect Donna Maxwell, Secretary/Treasurer George Yeadon
St. John’s Foundation George Yeadon, Chair Elisabeth Howard, Chair Elect James McBride, Secretary Anna Lynch, Treasurer Nancy Adams Dawn Aprile P. Miller Ashman, MD Eliza Kozlowski Amy Mason, MD Thomas Spina David Steitz, PhD David Tang Lou Visco Ann Wood William Wallace
St. John's Annual Report is a publication of the Marketing Department. VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING Jennifer Lesinski jlesinski@stjohnsliving.org EDITOR Tom Harner, Marketing Communications Manager tharner@stjohnsliving.org DESIGN Tanya Space
St. John’s Home, New York State’s only registered
Eden Alternative nursing home, offers services including skilled nursing care, Alzheimer's/Dementia care, transitional care, rehabilitation, adult day service, and hospice care at its 150 Highland Avenue location.
Brickstone by St. John’s, located on 30 acres
in Brighton, offers contemporary independent living in uniquely designed apartments, bungalows, and townhomes. A feature of this community is its Village Square that boasts a public restaurant, Joey B’s at Brickstone, and other retail and community spaces.
PRINTING Canfield and Tack CONTRIBUTOR Keaghlan Morrissey 150 Highland Avenue Rochester, NY 14620 585-760-1300 info@stjohnsliving.org stjohnsliving.org
St. John’s Meadows, also in Brighton, offers
multi-level, independent living in private, two-bedroom cottages and apartments, with optional amenities including fine dining, transportation, and health care services.
St. John’s Green House Homes in Penfield
provide 20 elders with all the services of a traditional nursing home within a ranch-style home that is integrated into a neighborhood setting.
Non-Profit Org. US Postage
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Rochester, NY Permit #87
Vision St. John's will lead and inspire a shift in society's views of elderhood by embracing and celebrating life's experiences.
Mission St. John's embraces life with vibrant, caring, and life-affirming relationships.
We embrace living by being . . . innovative
friendly compassionate respectful
responsive
fun
Connect with us! Read our blog at stjohnsliving.org and follow us on: @
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