May 2010 Layout.pub - Pioneer Memorial

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PAGE 2 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.
PAGE 3 NEWS Capsules ……stories from around PMH&HS Back to the 50’s Party brought out the “kid” in everybody, from staff to resident. We all had a rockin’ good time. Amanda Jensen, CNA, top right, won our bubble gum blowing contest, and look at Charles Glood swing Patty Anderson, Director of Activities around the floor. He could still win any dancing contest. He even wore Patty out! The Easter Bunny was a big success again this year with lots of help from PMH&HS employees and volunteers. Over 200 children ages 0 - 9 hunted for Easter eggs in our Nursing Home, Haven, Assisted Living Center, and Villa. Residents loved watching the children enthusiastically search for candy-filled eggs and the “Golden Egg” which offered a special prize. With a little help from her mother, Grace, held above by the Easter Bunny, Patty Anderson, found the golden egg for her age group. (0 - 2) Patients Offer Praise for Therapists Patients have been singing the praises of our PMH&HS Therapists. Following are just some samples. Ross “Mick” Miller of Viborg, SD underwent surgery for total knee replacement and recently completed therapy treatment under the direction of Amanda Marts, MS/ PT, Physical Therapist at Pioneer Memorial. “I’ve got a lot of good things to say about Amanda and the therapy program she provided me. She definitely went above and beyond in her efforts to make sure I received the therapy I needed to get back on my feet. At 49, I am fairly young for knee replacement, and I needed to know I would be able to do the same work I had been doing.” “Her bedside manner and personality gave me the confidence I needed to succeed.” Mick is back to work again. Candace Zweifel, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathologist for PMH&HS, is one of only a few providers in the state able to practice VitalStim (neuromuscular electrical stimulation) therapy for swallowing disorders. One of her patients, Michelle Paulson, had surgery for a brain tumor, and experienced facial weakness affecting her vision, speech and eating. She explains, “I had very little function return to my face until I started the VitalStim treatment. Since working with Candace in speech therapy and using this treatment, I have had marked improvement.” Candace adds, “Treatment with VitalStim has wonderful quality of life outcomes.” Robin Stockland, PT, Physical Therapist and Director of Therapy & Rehab at PMH&HS, has had Amanda Marts Candace Zweifel Robin Stockland MA/PT MA, CCC-SLP PT & Director, Therapy/Rehab success in therapy treatment for people experiencing persistent dizziness and balance impairment. Jim Kastens, owner of Jim’s Feed & Farm Supply in Parker, is an enthusiastic advocate of the treatment he received. “It only took two treatments with Robin and I haven’t felt dizzy since. It was painless, simple, and boy it sure did the trick.” Read the full article about each story on our website:
Page 1: Volunteers of Year ……2 ISSUE 1

May 2010 Layout.pub - Pioneer Memorial

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