by Barb Quaintance
We all vividly remember the day our family member became a Misericordia resident, even if that was many years ago. It was likely marked by some combination of joy, excitement, sadness, and trepidation. The following weeks were also emotional: helping our child navigate this huge transition, learning about all the staff involved in our child’s care, and understanding the expectations of being a member of the Misericordia community. We looked to the staff to give us all the “facts”, but we might have felt like we needed a sherpa to help navigate this new and sometimes overwhelming situation. That’s where the Misericordia Family Association (MFA) comes in.
The MFA is the membership organization for parents/guardians of residents at Misericordia; in fact, families automatically become members when their family member is admitted to Misericordia. It’s the MFA's goal to welcome new families—parents and siblings—and to provide support over the years.
by Barb Quaintance
It’s not easy to start a new job. Even with good orientation and training, it’s very different once you are in the job. There’s a need to become competent in the necessary skills. There’s learning the culture of an organization. There’s understanding what to do when things don’t go according to plan. That’s where the Misericordia Lead Job Coaches (LJC) come in: they partner with new staff in their residential area to support them throughout their first year on the job.
Who are the Lead Job Coaches—and how do you become an LJC? A Direct Support Professional (DSP) who is recognized by their supervisor for their excellence and confidence in their job is referred to Human Resources. The DSP then applies when the LJC position is posted in their area. The area ultimately decides if they will be selected for their new role. When a DSP is chosen, they attend a two-day HR training session where they learn to use their leadership skills to support new hires. They also work with HR throughout the year to hone their skills. Typically, a new hire will shadow an LJC for two weeks, observing how they perform specific tasks and interact with residents. The LJC is available to the new staff for their entire first year at Misericordia.
by Linda Buchalo
Every day, we see Misericordia staff in action as they care for and work with our family members. It’s awe-inspiring to see how smoothly the process runs, given that many of the residents need a lot of supervision and may have difficulty following directions. Yet, day after day, life goes relatively smoothly for over 600 residents, both on and off campus. We can thank the amazing planning capabilities of Misericordia administrators and staff for this minor miracle.
What happens when an unexpected event causes a glitch in the daily routine? Think about situations that you have experienced in your own life—medical emergencies, severe weather conditions, hazardous spills that require evacuation, and so on. Imagine having to deal with situations like these for 600+ residents and 1600+ staff.
by Barb Quaintance and Julie O'Sullivan
Most Misericordia families have a favorite Misericordia event: the MFA Benefit, Family Fest, Candy Days, and the Women’s Ball. My favorite is the Artist in All. It’s a spectacular event, and the residents are the stars of the show.
I wanted to learn more about the history of the Artist in All (AIA) and what it takes to pull off this memorable evening, so I talked to Julie O’Sullivan, Director of Events and Public Relations for the Misericordia Foundation. Julie is instrumental in making AIA the success it is, and she has a lot to share.
by Barb Quaintance
Siblings have lifelong relationships that can bring great joy. But there are also challenges in any relationship, including relationships with our special family members. The Misericordia SIBS organization celebrates those sibling relationships. Its members are actively engaged in the lives of their brothers and sisters and in the broader Misericordia community.
The SIBS organization has four core elements:
Beautifying and Expanding the Misericordia Campus: The Notre Dame Study
by Barb Quaintance
If you ask, they might just say yes.
When Father Jack and Sister Rosemary went to Notre Dame for Sister Rosemary to accept the 2023 Laetare Medal, they were joined by Matt and Joyce Walsh. The Walshes had not only funded an architecture school at Notre Dame, but they also have a niece who resides at Misericordia. Knowing this, Father Jack and Sister Rosemary asked the Notre Dame architecture department if they would conduct a study of the Misericordia campus, recommending improvements and enhancements. And Notre Dame said, "Yes"!
The Dean of Notre Dame’s School of Architecture came to Misericordia to explore possibilities. He was immediately impressed by the campus and assigned a team of architects to work on the study. The scope of the study was the physical plant, not services or current residences. Their focus was on using the campus most efficiently and building/modifying structures to meet Misericordia’s evolving needs.
by Barb Quaintance
They say that aging is not for the faint of heart. We all hope to age with grace and dignity, surrounded by people who will support and love us throughout the aging process.
Misericordia has an aging population. Geana Connelly saw that many residents were facing the challenges of aging. She also heard from families who had questions about what to expect as their family member aged. Aging is not a chronological number, but rather, a biological process. Would it happen sooner than it would for the general population? What are the signs? What might the trajectory be? What can a family do to support an aging family member?
Because Misericordia is so attuned to the residents and their families, Geana decided to host a webinar series addressing aging issues. Coordinated by Sarah Peters, this three-session series addresses various components of the aging process:
by Linda Buchalo
Misericordia is a “happening place” and now even more so, thanks to the creation of the Resident Events department, led by Jordan Atkins with the assistance of Ken Gasch and Julia deGruchy. The team works alongside the Recreation and Leisure and the Pool and Fitness departments to promote participation in existing programs, increase exposure to various activities through large-scale on-campus events, and promote a sense of community within the greater Misericordia family. The result is increased program attendance, a greater focus on more diverse experiences, and more opportunities for families, staff, and residents to engage with each other and have fun.
by Linda Buchalo
This article covers one of the many blessings on the Misericordia campus—the Donovan Dental Clinic. This dream come true is the result of generous donations from Thomas and Vita Donovan and others. With the opening of the clinic in March of 2015, Sr. Rosemary was able to check off another item on her bucket list.
The clinic serves approximately 420 residents and has been a godsend for families who find it difficult to find dental care for their family members. The clinic employs five staff members: two dentists, Dr. Ashley Kauffman and Dr. Daniel Bicknell; two certified dental assistants, Camille Donolko-Sanders and Maggie Farfan, and a licensed and registered dental hygienist, Jena Cahill. Jena also manages the clinic.
by Linda Buchalo
This is the last in a series of articles that covers the core values of the Misericordia Community of Believers. This article explores the final core value: Spirituality.
A summary of this core value follows: We value our mission entrusted to us by God. We are passionate about the care of our residents, hoping to enrich their lives as witnesses to what loving people can accomplish when they work together for the good. We are grateful for those who support our mission with their hearts and generosity.
The idea of spirituality extends far beyond religion. We respect the faith traditions of all members of the Mis community and feel committed to caring for those who call Misericordia their home. We understand that each person has a special gift:
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