News

Craig Stewart has been described as the enduring spirit of Ecumen Meadows in Worthington who makes life better for residents and staff alike. He recently received our prestigious Volunteer of the Year award for his deep commitment to the well-being of others and mission to give people with dementia the gift of memory. 

Visionary Leader. Consummate professional. Highly skilled operator. Those words define Jennifer Pfeffer, Senior Regional Director of Operations at Ecumen, who was recently honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Kal Michels Outstanding Leadership Award.  

Harold Hansen, who lives at Saint Therese of Woodbury, was recently honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Spirit of Aging Award.  

Volunteers of America in Minnesota is one of 18 aging services providers who received new grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to support affordable housing for older adults. 

LeadingAge Minnesota last week recognized 12 aging services providers for their achievements in quality, continuous improvement and performance excellence. Awards of Merit for Performance Excellence in Aging Services were provided to eight members and four members were recognized with the advanced Award of Honor. The providers are:  

Doing ordinary things with extraordinary love is the mission of Saint Therese and you need not look further than a receptionist, volunteer and two nursing assistants from that community to see individuals who are living that mission and demonstrating their commitment to their Safe Care for Seniors pledge. Meet the latest recipients of our Make Zero Harm Possible awards:  

Teamwork makes the dream work. At the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Luverne, there is a team of dedicated safety and quality champions that are making a positive difference in the health and wellness of the veterans they serve. Meet the Buddies Forever Champions, our latest recipient of the Make Zero Harm Possible award in our Safe Care for Seniors program.  

One highlight of the Institute & Expo is the LeadingAge MN Foundation Silent Auction. The incredible donations from our members spurs a competitive spirit from our attendees. Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 to support caregiver and leadership scholarships and workforce tools and resources to help you address your greatest challenge. Can we count on you to help us achieve our goal by donating an item to this fun and meaningful event?  

Sometimes data just isn’t enough. Storytelling is the most powerful tool to affect change. We need your help to bring the issues we advocate for on behalf of the people you serve to life. Help us tell the story:  

Sue Kiel truly embodies the mission of providing community access to compassionate care each day in her work and is a tremendous team member who all who live and work at North Shore Health in Grand Marais.  For her commitment to safety, respect and dignity, Sue Kiel is the most recent recipient of the Make Zero Harm Possible award from LeadingAge Minnesota.  

Lynette Berglund, a care attendant at Grand Arbor in Alexandria, recently received the Make Zero Harm Possible Award from LeadingAge Minnesota. The award recognizes staff in aging services settings who demonstrate their commitment to safe, quality care and to treating the people they serve with respect and dignity – always. 

The Superior Health Quality Alliance (Superior Health) is rolling out new work to help nursing homes and community coalitions improve quality and safety.   

LeadingAge Minnesota members who complete their Safe Care for Seniors Self-Assessment and successfully implement at least one action in each step of the 5-Step Action plan will be recognized at this year’s Institute & Expo as the inaugural members of the Action Honor Roll. The deadline for completion is Friday, Jan. 17. Enter the Safe Care for Seniors portal and show us your progress.  

Volunteers of America – Minnesota and Wisconsin (VOA MN/WI) announced that Julie Manworren has been named its new President and CEO. She begins her new role Feb. 28. 

At the Veterans Club, the Adult Day Services program at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home – Minneapolis Campus, excellence is not one act but a habit. A mission to personalized care and support for the clients they serve combined with a commitment to respect, dignity and teamwork elevated this program to one of the higher levels of recognition in our Make Zero Harm Possible program.  

Got 5 minutes? It’s your last chance to participate in our brief survey to better understand the state of employee engagement practices in aging services. The survey closes on Dec. 17. 

Sandy Forsberg, Lead Homemaker at Crystal Brook Senior Living in Park Rapids, has received the Make Zero Harm Possible Award from LeadingAge Minnesota. 

Kortoe Mikely, Nursing/Home Health Aide at St. Therese of New Hope, recently received the Make Zero Harm Possible Award from LeadingAge Minnesota.

Shyann Topel, Safety Director and Safe Care for Seniors Champion at Buffalo Lake Health Care Center, is the most recent recipient of the Make Zero Harm Possible Award from LeadingAge Minnesota. The award recognizes staff in aging services settings who demonstrate their commitment to safe, quality care and to treating the people they serve with respect and dignity – always. 

Benedictine Health System announced 14 communities were recognized in the 2019-2020 U.S. News and World Report “Best Nursing Homes” report as high-performers in overall quality in both the nursing home and short-stay rehabilitation categories.