Southern Indiana Living - Jan / Feb 2021

The spirit of the Saint Meinrad
Archabbey infirmary is one of
calm and comfort. Like many
other health-care facilities, it is
filled with dedicated people and caring
hearts. Many days are long and
tiring, but the compassion is inspiring.
Ann Phillips, director of health
services, who manages the health
clinic, wellness department and the
infirmary, has been with the Archabbey
for 22 years. “Working at the Archabbey
is definitely more family-oriented.
You are respected and valued
as an individual,” she said.
Saint Meinrad Archabbey was
founded in 1854 by monks from Einsiedeln
Abbey in Switzerland. They
came to Southern Indiana at the request
of a local priest who was seeking
help to serve the pastoral needs of
the growing German-speaking population
and to prepare local men to be
priests.
The Benedictine community
at Saint Meinrad consists of about
85 men who dedicate their lives to
prayer and work. The monks live
by the wisdom and guidance of the
Rule of St. Benedict, the sixth century
instructions for community living,
written by St. Benedict.
The infirmary, which averages
around 10 monks, is an integral part
of this community, as it allows those
needing extra care and attention the
ability to have that without leaving
their home, whether for a short time
of recuperation or for their remaining
time.
Archabbot Kurt Stasiak, OSB,
speaks very highly of the staff. “It
has been quite a few years since
one of our monks has had to die in
a hospital. Our monks, like so many
people, would prefer to die at home
rather than away, and the excellent
and competent care our nursing staff
provides usually makes that wish a
reality.”
The pandemic this year has been
challenging for the staff and community
alike.
“COVID has challenged me and
my staff, especially when many of the
monks and nursing staff were both
sick. We had a lot of fatigue. I also experience
COVID-decision fatigue, as
this can be very overwhelming. People
rely on you to know the answers,”
Phillips said.
All but two of the monks in the
infirmary have had, and have recovered,
from COVID-19.
12 • Jan/Feb 2021 • Southern Indiana Living
Cover Story
Health Heroes
Saint Meinrad Archabbey infirmary staff provides
care and comfort during the pandemic
Story and Photos by Carol Ubelhor Troesch