Commun ty Matters Manor of the Plains
August 2017
“Gwendoline (Giraffe),” a drawing by Joanne Clarke.
Art is Ageless® masterpiece level announced Five winning artists in Manor of the Plains’ annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2018 Art is Ageless Calendar produced by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. Dodge City artist Phill Gonzales took Best in Show honors in the amateur division with his painting, “Girl Reading a Book.” “Gwendoline (Giraffe),” a drawing by Joanne Clarke; “Hunting Hawk,” a sculpture by Vincent Burghart; and “Blue Angel,” a mixed media/crafts piece by Alice Sweany, will appear WINNERS, continued on page 3
Ann Russell, center, is a recipient of a Presbyterian Manors education award.
Education award helped nurse to grow Ann Russell was 16 when she first went to work in a senior care community, doing housekeeping and laundry. Now, 20 years later, she has risen through the ranks to become MDS Coordinator at Manor of the Plains, thanks in part to a scholarship from the employee education assistance program a few years ago. Ann came to Manor of the Plains as an LPN in 2001 and later received her RN certification. In 2009, she was taking classes for her bachelor of science in nursing, or BSN, through Fort Hays State University. She applied for assistance to pay for her textbooks. RUSSELL, continued on page 2
RUSSELL, continued from page 1
“It definitely helped me to be able to go,” Ann said. “I was a single mom with two kids. It allowed me not to take out a loan that year.” Every summer, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America announces the recipients of education assistance awards. There are 30 recipients this year at 10 of the 17 PMMA communities. The education assistance program provides scholarships to employees for accredited educational programs leading to a certification, license or degree. Applications are accepted and reviewed every spring. To be eligible, employees must have been
employed at Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America for at least one year at the time the award is made (usually mid-summer). Funds are paid after the successful completion (a “C” grade or higher) of the approved course and can be used to cover tuition, fees and books. It took Ann two years to complete her BSN. She was working full time and getting married, too. “I didn’t pile on too many classes. But we got it done,” she said. She appreciated that her supervisor was flexible about her scheduling. And she felt supported by an organization that promoted and hired from within. Ann said her RN training gave her the technical skills for nursing, and
the bachelor’s program helped her develop a framework to be a leader and a manager. What does an MDS coordinator do? The term stands for Minimum Data Set, a tool used in assessing the functional capabilities of residents of certified nursing facilities. Ann’s main responsibilities are handling resident care plans, scheduling the other MDS staff and coordinating care with other departments like therapy. But what she really does is provide the best possible care to our residents. “I like the diversity of the job and the challenge.You might think the days would all be the same but there is something different every day,” Ann said. “I love the residents.”
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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Manor of the Plains by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
Jerry Korbe, executive director Kurt Lampe, marketing director Lisa Montoya, activity director Jacque Soltero, health care activity director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Kurt at klampe@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-225-1928 Fax: 620-225-3982 Address: 200 Campus Dr., Dodge City, KS 67801-2760
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. ManorofthePlains.org
Manor of the Plain’s Post-Acute To Home (PATH®) program isn’t just about getting you home— it’s about getting you back to your life. Call 620-225-1928 today to schedule your personal appointment and tour. ManorOfThePlains.org
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Community Matters August 2017
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WINNERS, continued from page 1
in the calendar when it is released this fall. In addition, “Old Friend,” a painting by Mary Anne Hendrix, will be featured on one of the Art is Ageless greeting cards. Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 16 other PMMA communities.The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar and notecards.
current events discussions throughout the year. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Residents and friends of the Art is Ageless program are proving that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.
Art is Ageless, open exclusively to people age 65 and older, is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. The Art is Ageless program encourages Manor of the Plains residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and
Above: “Girl Reading a Book” by Dodge City artist Phill Gonzales. Right: “Blue Angel,” a mixed media/crafts piece by Alice Sweany.
Above: “Hunting Hawk,” a sculpture by Vincent Burghart. Right: “Old Friend,” a painting by Mary Anne Hendrix. Like us on Facebook
Manor of the Plains
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Resident Satisfaction Survey “Resident Satisfaction Survey results will be available by Aug. 15 at your campus. Watch your resident mailbox, or ask for a copy at the reception desk.”
How can I help employees? To recognize a special caregiver or staff member, make a gift in an employee’s honor to the Education Assistance Fund. Every gift helps employees reach their education goals. Make a tax deductible gift at: PresbyterianManors.org/Give_Now Or make a gift at your PMMA community.
Manor of the Plains 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 Return Service Requested
Dining services featured We will be featuring our Dining Services in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you know a dining services team member whose story should be told, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share the story. If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Kurt Lampe and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters August 2017
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