A special publication of the Ludington Daily News • Wednesday, November 9, 2016
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Oakview celebrates 50 years BY MITCH GALLOWAY DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Fifty years ago, the Mason County Medical Care Facility opened its doors and more than 4,000 people attended an open house in honor of its opening. Oakview Medical Care Facility, located at 1001 Diana St., had a celebration this summer to honor its upcoming 50th anniversary. Today, there are 168 employees who manage and operate Oakview Medical Care Facility in three shifts. Besides being open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Oakview offers health care services including inpatient rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s/dementia care, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, speech therapy, hospice care and the building even features barber/beauty shop. The facility is county-owned, and was established in 1966 to provide the community with long-term care and rehabilitative services. Today, Oakview has 96 nursing beds. In 1998, the building completed a renovation. Then in 2009 another renovation was completed with the opening of the Sutter Living Center, an Alzheimer’s/dementia unit which is part of Oakview. Oakview is governed by the Department of Health and Human Services in Mason County. The Rev. Wayne Buskirk is Chairman of the Board. He’s been chair for 42 years. A staple of the community, Oakview continues to support various organizations and events, including the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, Relay for Life, Scottville Harvest Festival, the Petunia Parade, the Lake Jump, the Western Michigan Fair, senior information days, the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball tournament and various Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce events. Oakview also hosts many community events itself, including the Antique Car Show, the Motorcycle Show, the West Michigan Old Engine Club Show, and Scottville Clown Band performances.
On Thursday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m., Oakview will hold a re-dedication of the building and a ribboncutting ceremony, followed by a flag-raising ceremony by the American Legion.’
of the Best Nursing Homes, while also achieving 100 percent family satisfaction for six years through independent surveys conducted by Great Lakes Marketing. Oakview’s Sutter Living Center, a self-contained 20-bed Alzheimer’s special care unit, has now been OAKVIEW — A CLOSER LOOK in operation for more than sevOakview has been recognized by en years. The care unit offers hoU.S. News and World Report as one listic care to those afflicted with
JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS PHOTOS
Oakview Medical Care Facility will hold a re-dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 10 to celebrate 50 years of operation. Mason County Medical Care Facility in 1966. COURTESY PHOTO
that they will have on display. This tribute has been signed by State Alzheimer’s disease and related raising ceremony by the American Senator Darwin L. Booher, State dementias, providing a safe, nur- Legion. Representative Ray Franz and Govturing and secure environment. From there, everyone will move ernor Rick Snyder. Oakview has also to the resident dining area for a been given a plaque from the HistorIMPORTANT DATES FOR OAKVIEW short informational gathering ical Society of Michigan commemoOn Thursday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m., where visitors may enjoy cake, cof- rating 50 years of service to the peoOakview will hold a re-dedication fee and punch. ple of Mason County. of the building and a ribbon-cutOakview has been given a “Special These items are on display ting ceremony followed by a flag- Tribute” by the State of Michigan throughout the re-dedication.
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Meet the Oakview board
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etween the three Oakview Medical Care Facility board members and the current administrator, they have a combined total of 98 years of service to Oakview. That’s longer than New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii have been
states. Because of Oakview’s history, the Ludington Daily News asked a series of questions to board members and the administrator. Here is what they had to say, starting with Administrator Jannice Lamm.
Wayne Buskirk
Shirley Rybicki
David Swathwood
TITLE: Vice-chair, Ludington TIME ON BOARD: At least 25 years. WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF OAKVIEW? “People in their senior days need help medically. I have been on both sides. I had a heart attack the first of January this year, and I was in Oakview for rehabilitation. It’s wonderful how (Oakview) takes care and cares for all of its residents.”
TITLE: Board member, Grand Ledge; U.S. Navy veteran TIME ON BOARD: 6 years WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF OAKVIEW? “I consider Oakview to be the best facility in the county. The staff at Oakview is very nice and they treat all the residents there like they are family. They grow attached to them, (and) I can speak firsthand on that. I was in Oakview for about a month for rehabilitation. I was treated perfectly.”
Jannice Lamm TITLE: Oakview Administrator TIME AT Oakview: 21 years WHY HAVE YOU BEEN AT OAKVIEW THIS LONG? “I started at Oakview as the Director of Therapeutic and Recreation Services and when the Sutter Living Center
opened in July of 2009, I became the Center’s director also. I have been the Administrator at Oakview since June 2015. Prior to that I was the Assistant Administrator for a short period.” EDUCATION? I attended Central Michigan University and earned a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy. Then, in December of 2014, I applied and passed the state and federal exam for my nursing home administrator license.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF OAKVIEW? “The importance of Oakview is to provide quality care to our residents. Quality is a key word for me. Our residents and families count on the Oakview staff and we take pride in providing care that exceeds the standards. The Oakview staff takes pride in their jobs and we enjoy making a difference each day in the lives of the residents!”
TITLE: DHHS Board Chair, Ludington TIME ON BOARD: 42 years WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF OAKVIEW? “It’s our job to serve the residents of the county who are in need, that’s our aim and purpose today. We strive to be a family for all the residents; I believe that’s really important.”
Congratulations,
Oakview Medical Care Facility, on your 50th anniversary. Here’s to the next 50 years as your healthcare neighbor!
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Celebrating LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/OAKVIEW TAB
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50 years!
County owned and serving the community since 1966...
“Like Family”
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Gary Miller and his wife, Ann, embrace in front of Oakview Medical Care Facility. Gary has been at the facility for more than two years.
A patient’s perspective BY MITCH GALLOWAY DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
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or the employees of Oakview Medical Care Facility, this isn’t your normal health care facility. Owned by the citizens of Mason County, Oakview uses its ability to connect with its residents in a different way — in a “We are family” approach.
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JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS
Life at Oakview
‘There is no other place I’d want my husband to be.
I feel safe when he’s here.’
Ann Miller
“I’ve been here a little over two years,” said Gary Miller, an Oakview resident. “I like it, but (sometimes) I miss being at home, but it’s a good place. I like it here.”
His wife, Ann, visits Gary often. The couple has been married 60 years. “He has multiple sclerosis,” Ann said. “He loves the help (here). He has his certain special people who have been good to him.” Gary especially likes his aides. “I like them all,” Gary smiled. Ann concurred. “There is no other place I’d want my husband to be,” she said. “I feel safe when he’s here.”
cords for Oakview. “My senior year of high school, I was a nurse aide, second shift. Then I started having babies and stopped working here for a while. Then in ’86 I came back. It’s my home. I mean, it’s my other life. I was born and raised here.” “You were here when I was here,” Hernandez said to her mother, Emma Jean Andersen, who is currently a resident at Oakview. “In ‘75 when I started working, my mother worked here in activiA FAMILY REUNION ties,” Hernandez said. “She was “I started working here back an activity worker. I would say in ’75. That was my first date of she probably left here in 1979. hire here,” said Cheri Hernan- She’s been a resident here since dez, who works in medical re- 2007.”
Andersen is from Flint but has been in the area a while. “I just can’t get away from her,” Andersen said with a smile, gleaming at her daughter. “We laugh about it because we used to joke that I’ll be here until I am laying in the beds,” Hernandez said. “We don’t joke about that anymore. It could be a possibility. So, yeah, I don’t laugh about it anymore. You see, Mom had a stroke, and she couldn’t be at home alone anymore. I wouldn’t have her anywhere else but Oakview. “She is in good hands,” said Hernandez. “It’s good that she is here because I know she is getting taken care of.”
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From the inside, an employee recounts
An employee’s perspective BY KATHLEEN RODELL
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hat is the first thing you think of when you think of “nursing home”? For me, it wasn’t the best thing to think about. I had a vision in my mind and actually it was frightening. When you don’t know about something, you tend to draw conclusions either based on what you have heard from others or maybe even television shows. I started working for Oakview nearly four years ago and honestly I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I’m the Executive Assistant to the administrator here at Oakview. When you walk in the doors, you see a beautiful lobby decorated comfortably for families and residents to sit and enjoy the morning or afternoon. Then, as you look down the hall, you may see residents rolling down the hall, peeking in to say good morning or good afternoon to those us who are in the offices along the way. It’s amazing how fast you become accustomed to these impromptu visits and how much you enjoy them. We also have a beautiful aviary with a big screen television and large windows to check the weather outside and enjoy a movie. The commons area at the opposite corner is a more cozy area to either watch television or enjoy a conversation with family and friends. Also in that area is a large aquarium and eating area. The resident dining room offers a huge room for residents and guests to enjoy weekly music from local bands and artists as well as weekly bingo and other
If you would, I would like you to stop reading for just a moment and think about this. What would you do if something happened to you and you could no longer live at home? You couldn’t live with family, you needed assistance and you couldn’t do it alone. Where would you go? What would you Kathleen Rodell do? Who would take care of Executive Assistant you? Who could you count on to be there when you a skilled nursing facility needed help? is like, I hope you take the It’s up to each one of us time to come in and see to care and to help those Oakview. I know you’ll be in need. A skilled nursing impressed and walk away facility is not what you may with an entirely different have pictured in your mind. understanding. We are here You don’t need to be elderly to help you when you don’t to require a nursing home. know where to go or what It’s not an old folk’s home. to do and you need help It is a home where people either for yourself or a fam- get the help they need with ily member. At Oakview, we dignity and respect “like care. We want to help you. family.”
‘It is a home where people get the help they need with dignity and respect.’
activities. As you enter the Sutter Living Center, you see a different atmosphere and realize that this too is totally different from what you might expect. Here, each resident has their own room. There is a nice sized living room and spacious dining room and kitchen that these residents have the opportunity to use. We also have three conference rooms of varying sizes that are used for employee meetings as well as resident and family parties. Coming here after working 10 years at Little River Casino Resort as the executive assistant to the security director was most definitely a drastic change. For me, I can truly say now that it was the right change. I have something within me that wants and needs to help others. Even though I work in an office, I do have the opportunity to go out and see and talk with our residents. They truly bring me joy. During our August celebration leading up to our Nov. 10 re-dedication, we had a band in to entertain. They were fabulous. One of the best things that I have found working here is to watch the faces of our residents while they listen to music. It does your heart
good and brings a tear to my eye and I have to walk away. It touches my heart so to see them smile and enjoy themselves. What I think is most important are our CNAs, RNs, and LPNs. They are truly our pride and joy. They work tirelessly each day, working with the residents up close and personal. They have a tough job, and yet they complete it with caring and compassion like I’ve never seen before. They are what makes Oakview the facility of choice, and yes, “like family.” For some of our residents, we are family. They may not have family close by or anyone to visit. To be able to bring a smile to any one of our residents makes me happy. We also have a great group of volunteers. Our activity department is crazy good, having daily activities for those residents who want to participate. Then rehab, where those requiring rehabilitation go at scheduled times to work out and work on the specified needs that they require. Our social workers are great. They work with our residents as well as families helping them, by supporting the decisions they make and giving them the infor-
mation that they need to make the most appropriate decision for their family. If you have a specific mindset of what you think
{We care.} We applaud your dedication to quality care. Plante Moran congratulates the Oakview Medical Care Facility on their 50th anniversary.
A higher return on experience.
Eric Conway 616.643.4024 eric.conway@plantemoran.com plantemoran.com
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Happy Birthday,
Oakview! Celebrating 50 years “Like Family”