May 2010 Layout.pub - Pioneer Memorial

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Anderson and Jensen Named Volunteers of Year
Patty Anderson, Director of Activities,
was named Pioneer Memorial Hospital
& Health Services Employee Volunteer
of the Year at the annual
luncheon April 7. Paul Jensen, lifelong
Viborg resident, was recognized
posthumously as Community Volunteer
of the Year. In presenting the
latter award, Georgia Pokorney,
CEO, commented that the selection
committee’s enthusiasm about the
selection, and two months of planning
to make sure the award was a
surprise, became bitter sweet with
Paul’s untimely death on April 6, the
day before the event.
Accepting the award were his
mother, Fern and sister, Karen.
Pokorney commented, “Paul was a
tremendous asset to the patients and
residents of Pioneer Memorial and a
loyal and active promoter of the community
of Viborg.”
Paul was hired on May 1, 1990 as
the first bus driver for the ROCS bus.
He took his job very seriously, but
went above and beyond his job of
transporting a patient or community
member to a doctor’s visit or event
according to Pokorney. “He not only
accommodated early and late appointments,
but carried their personal
belongings, making sure they had all
their paperwork along, and assisted
them on and off the bus and into their
appointment, often waiting for several
hours until their appointment was
complete.”
Patty Anderson, Director of Activities,
commented that whenever Paul
drove the bus for the nursing home
Patty Anderson, Director of Activities,
left, accepts the Employee
Volunteer of the Year Award from
Georgia Pokorney, CEO.
residents to various activities, he was
always a “second pair of hands, assisting
residents on the activity, helping
them with their meals, washing
their hands, and helping them get
their coat on and off.” She added,
“He was a great conversationalist for
the residents and had an innate
memory for events.”
Pokorney concluded, “Paul was often
the ‘Unsung Hero’ behind many community
events and we honor him today
for all he did, not only for Pioneer
Memorial, its patients and residents,
but for all of Viborg, for helping to
preserve its history, promote its community
events, and for being an
advocate for all that is ‘great’ about
living in a small town.”
Nursing Home Staff
Take the Polar Plunge
L to R: Krista Jacobs, RN, and Ann
Bossman, RN, Director of Nursing ,
LTC, take the Polar Plunge to help
raise funds for The Pioneer Memorial
Foundation. They challenged
each other to see who could raise
the most money. Ann won the challenge,
but joined in the spirit and
took the plunge anyway.
Other LTC staff plunging were:
Brittney Quest and Amanda Jensen.
Georgia Pokorney, CEO, right presents
the Paul Jensen Community
Volunteer of the Year Award to his
mother, Fern, left, and sister,
Karen, right.
In making the award presentation for
Patty Anderson, Pokorney said, “Her
vitality and vibrant personality
inspires us all with confidence, creativity,
and an exceptional commitment
and willingness to help others.”
Anderson was hired on April 4, 2005
as Pioneer Memorial’s Director of
Activities, the volunteer program, and
the gift shop. Her first responsibility
was to plan and direct the 2005
Volunteer Luncheon. Pokorney
commented, “In the five years Patty
has been at Pioneer Memorial, she
has focused on service excellence
and establishing a positive rapport
with our residents and families. Her
talents as a public speaker, entertainer
(music & singing), artist, crafts,
designing, and decorating are not
only enjoyed by our residents and
employees, but by our community at
large.”
Patty was thanked for “all she has
given to Pioneer Memorial residents,
patients, employees and the communities
we serve, and for being a dedicated
advocate for the elderly and
demonstrating the true spirit and definition
of volunteerism.”
Patty and her husband Keith live on a
farm between Centerville and Beresford
and have two children, Aaron
and Amanda and a granddaughter,
Aedan. She also has two stepchildren,
Andrew and Ashley.