november 2005 employee engagement fundamental to...

Ecumen INSIDERINSIDERINSIDERINSIDERINSIDER November 2005 11111

NOVEMBER 2005

The Minneapolis/St. Paul BusinessJournal recently named Ecumen oneof Minnesota’s “Great Places to Work.”At the award luncheon, many of thecompanies cited monetary reasons for whytheir workplace is great. We all know money

Employee engagement is centeredaround how involved employees feel intheir jobs. Engagement can be built andfueled around the areas of pride in yourwork, friendships with co-workers,loyalty from your employer, feelings ofaccomplishment and the employer’sappreciation of you and your ideas.

One of the comments from our mostrecent employee engagement survey,which made an everlasting impressionon me, is what many of you wrote toanswer the question: What do youlike best about working for Ecumen?The answer was: “My residents.” Not“our residents,” or “the residents,”but “my residents.”

I often think of my Uncle Russ, whowas a resident at Ecumen’s BethanyHome in Alexandria. My aunt workedhard to keep him at home, where hepreferred to be, but the day came whenhis ALS progressed and he had to bemoved to more comprehensive care. Itwas painfully hard for her to let go ofresponsibility for his care and allowsomeone else in that very importantplace. She soon discovered what I havenoted in our survey comments — theBethany staff cared for him and for herin the irreplaceable human way whenwe put someone’s well being into thecenter of our hearts. That is employeeengagement in its highest form, and ithappens every day throughout Ecumen.That inspires me and so many others!

Employee Engagement Fundamental to Dashboardand Being a “Great Place to Work” by Robin Hanson, Executive Director

of Human Resources

“You make Ecumena great place to beassociated with and

a great place to work.Thank you for all you do!

You inspire me!”Robin Hanson

Below L to R: Annie Gailah, Alice Blantonand Pamela Kika at Prairie Lodge

Celebrating at the“Great Places to Work”

award luncheon

Celebrating at Prairie Lodge!!

is important. Ecumen works hard toprovide a comprehensive compensationand benefits package to all employees.But I only heard a few companies talkabout the service they provide to theircustomers or their community asreasons they are a great place to work.

Whether it’s stated as “my residents,”“our mission,” or “our promise,”Ecumen employees agree: Ecumen is agreat place to work because of theservices we provide to our customers.We’ve heard it in the last two surveyswe conducted — and again, we heard itfrom the results of The Business Journalsurvey.

22222 Ecumen INSIDERINSIDERINSIDERINSIDERINSIDER November 2005

RehabCare, which providesrehabilitation services in 10 skilled-nursing communities within Ecumen,has become a tremendous partner ofEcumen. And the partnership thatbegan at Mankato Lutheran Homesin 2001 is growing steadily.

Ecumen and RehabCare have teamedup to establish RehabCare’s CORE(Centers for Orthopedic RehabilitationExcellence) program in designatedEcumen communities. CORE isspecifically designed for orthopedicpatients who do not qualify for aninpatient rehabilitation stay, but arenot functionally ready to return home.Therapy is delivered at a similar level ofintensity as an inpatient rehabilitationprogram for maximum results.

According to Paul Libbon, administratorof Bayshore, the RehabCare partnershiphas been extremely beneficial to theDuluth skilled-nursing community.

“RehabCare is like an extension ofus,” says Paul. “They did not come inhere with a cookie cutter solution.Rather they learned about ourresidents’ needs and tailored theirservices to them. The people wework with at RehabCare are verycustomer-centric and responsive.”

Now RehabCare is helping Ecumenexpand services for assisted-livingcommunities by providingrehabilitation and wellness services.RehabCare will soon begin workingwith Lakeview Commons inMaplewood and then expand toother assisted-living communitieswithin Ecumen.

“We are always looking for betterways to serve our customers,” saysWendy Traffie, Lakeview Commons’director of resident services. “We’reexcited about the partnership withRehabCare. Residents will no longerhave to leave their home forrehabilitation services and we’ll beable to provide wellness and fitnessprograms on site.”

Expanding Partnership

Grace Carlson and physical therapistBrian Rud at Mankato Lutheran Home

and

Loading up a vanare MankatoLutheran Homes’DarleneThompson,education andinfection controlcoordinator andJim Gatchell,director ofenvironmentalservices

MankatoLutheran’s

“GreatPlaces to

Work” DayIncludes

Food Drive

As part of their “Great Places to Work” Celebration, Mankato Lutheran Homesheld a community food drive. Nearly 100 team members participated, providing2,600 items. Tammy Kammerer was the top individual donor with 111 items!Speaking of food, everyone celebrated with pizza.


The call Ecumen’s director of campusoperations Jennifer Pfeffer made toevacuate Mankato Lutheran Homeswasn’t a practice run. On October 20,a tanker truck carrying 20 tons of liquidanhydrous ammonia rolled over onHighway 169, less than a mile fromMankato Lutheran Homes. Jenniferimmediately consulted with leadershipat the Mankato Department of PublicSafety.

Over the course of just a few hours, teammembers at Mankato Lutheran Homesevacuated 150 residents to threelocations within Mankato: the civiccenter, Good Counsel senior communityand Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Mankato Lutheran Homes Team MembersThrive in High-Pressure Situation

As residents were being evacuated fromSibley Manor East, Sibley ManorWest and Mankato Lutheran Home,other team members contacted eachresident’s family to update them on thesituation. Residents had food andbeverages at their temporary location; andMankato Lutheran Homes, the Red Cross,Department of Public Safety, GoodCounsel and Immanuel St. Joseph’sHospital worked closely together oncontingencies if residents would have tostay overnight. However, at about 10 p.m.residents were given the green light toreturn home and sleep in their own beds.

Environmental safety crews fully drainedthe tanker by 8 p.m. and then towed it

away. The truck driver walked awayfrom the crash without a scratch.

“It was a very long dayfor our residents andteam members,” saidJennifer. “But at thesame time, it wasenergizing to seeeveryone pull togetherand work so calmly andcompassionately inwhat could have been avery chaotic situation.I’m extremely proud ofour staff.”


Independent & Assisted Living Focus:“Living Fully after 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and Beyond!”

1. Contribute positively to our residents’ personal growth and vitality.Create personal growth opportunities and activities that residents findmeaningful, engaging, purposeful and rewarding.

2. Create vital connections to the larger community.Provide opportunities for residents to meaningfully engage and participate intheir larger communities.

Nursing Home Collaborative Focus: “Creating Convivium”

1. Improve the dining experience and the quality of food to createConvivium.Convivium is a Latin word that means joining with friends.

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This year we implemented our first customer satisfaction survey across Ecumen. The survey has given all of usvaluable insights and feedback that we will be using to expand choices and enhance “Home” for those weserve.

The research showed some interesting commonalties. For example, in both independent and assisted livingsettings, we frequently heard that our customers want opportunities that fit their varied interests and passions,as well as increase opportunities to engage in the larger community. At Ecumen nursing homes, the focus waslargely on food – not simply improving the quality of the food, but to enhance the full dining experience. Basedon this feedback, we are collectively focusing on the following areas for improvement:

Ecumen Dashboardand Customer Satisfaction

We are working to ensure that thosewe serve find Ecumen residences tobe excellent homes with amplechoices that contribute positivelyand meaningfully to our residents’lives. When someone asks ourresidents and family memberswhere they would recommend thattheir loved one or friend live, wewant our residences to be the firstwords they say. To that end, we areworking to achieve a satisfactionrate at the level of 90 percent plusin the following areas by 2007:

Overall satisfaction

Feeling of home

Individual indicator for each residence

Likelihood to recommend

Responsiveness to resident choices

Collaborative indicators


Every day in every Ecumen communitythere is someone who expresses theirthanks for the work that our skilledprofessionals do in providing “home.”Following is an excerpt from a recentletter sent to Ann Casper-Rosett andthe team at Country Neighbor’sHome in LeCenter following the death ofthis family’s mother:

It is difficult to put into words howmuch we appreciate the wonderfulloving care you gave our Mom overthe past year and a half. Familywas always important to Mom andall of you welcomed her into yourfamily, making her feel comfortableand at home.

The card sent from her rosary groupwas genuinely appreciated as weknow her faith and praying therosary was very important to her.Thank you, too, for the beautifulplant – it will be a constantreminder of all of you.

It was such a comfort to know thatour Mom was safe, secure andloved in your home. Thank you!

SharingAppreciation inLeCenter for

Providing Home

Iola Stark of Alexandria isproudly celebrating 25 years ofcalling Bethel Manor home. Infact, she was one of the very firstresidents to move into BethelManor II. She often visited afriend who lived in Bethel Manor Iand admired it. When she learnedthat Bethel Manor II was to bebuilt, she immediately signed onto live there and moved into herresidence, which overlooks scenicLake Winona.

When you talk with Iola, who willbe 94 in December, you cannothelp but feel good. Her cheerfuloutlook is all the more impressivewhen you learn the tragedy shewas dealt at age 32. Living on afarm near Hoffman, Minnesota,her husband contracted polio in1944. Within days of beingdiagnosed, he died. He was only35. Iola was left to raise twoyoung children, son Mervin anddaughter Javane.

Iola Stark: Celebrating 25 Years ofCalling Bethel Manor “Home”

In a world ravaged by WW II, andwithout her soul mate, Iolaendured and kept movingforward. She eventually moved toAlexandria, where she worked atthe Alexandria Clinic for 23 years.Even after retiring at age 68, Ioladidn’t really “retire.” She hasbeen a constant presence atBethany Home helping to organizeactivities for residents andvolunteering at Bethel Manor.

“Iola is truly a gift,” says WendyHalbe, housing manager atBethel Manor. “All of us here feelvery fortunate that she callsBethel Manor and Ecumen‘home.’”

Iola’s influence is spreading toother generations. She has fivegrandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and this year wasblessed with a great-greatgranddaughter. She enjoystraveling to the Twin Cities tospend time with them.

Iola Stark celebrates withWendy Halbe (l) and Patti Carey (r)

Congratulations Iola!Thank you for calling Bethel Manor “home”!


The American Association ofHomes and Services for theAging (AAHSA) has selectedEcumen CEO and presidentKathryn Roberts to presentat a national discussion onthe subject of “leadership inchanging times.” Thediscussion will occur atAAHSA’s annual meeting inSan Antonio, Texas onNovember 10. Kathryn andthree other leaders will bepart of the discussion: RobynStone, executive director,Institute for the Future ofAging Services; WilliamHealy, CEO and president ofUnited Methodist RetirementCommunities, of Chelsea,Michigan; and Jaclyn Harris,CEO and president of TrinityContinuing Care Services, ofNovi, Michigan.

Kathryn Roberts to LeadNational Leadership Discussion

Kathryn RobertsCEO and president, Ecumen

Dr. Richard Bliese,president of LutherSeminary, recently spoketo Chisago City-areapastors at Ecumen’sParmly Community inChisago City. As part ofParmly’s annual pastoralappreciation breakfast atPoint Pleasant Heights,Dr. Bliese celebratedarea pastors who supportParmly residents withspiritual care, worshipservices, and prayers forthe community’s work ofcreating “home” for olderadults wherever theychoose to live.

Luther Seminary PresidentSpeaks at Parmly Community

From Hurricane Katrina fundraising atArlington Place in Pocahontas, Iowa, toBayshore’s fundraising for combattingAhlzheimer’s, communties throughoutEcumen provide contributions that havefar-reaching impacts. Martin LutherManor of Bloomington has developed apartnership with Global Health Ministries,which aids Lutheran health care missionsinternationally. Martin Luther Manorrecently contributed 10 beds, an uprightscale, sheets and blankets to GlobalHealth Ministries. These items will beused in a Tanzania mission. It is thefourth such donation by Martin LutherManor. If other organizations want tolearn how to donate items that they nolonger are using, but which may stillbenefit others globally, you can reachGlobal Health Ministries, which is basedin Minneapolis, at 763-586-9590.

Martin LutherManorTeams withGlobal HealthMinistries


Janice Doebber,Registered Nurse,Certified, of BethanyHome Health Serviceswas recently honored asone of the Alexandriaarea’s Top 20Professionals of 2005 bythe Alexandria EchoPress newspaper. Janicebegan her career withBethany Community asa certified nursingassistant in 1976.Janice provides nursemanagement forBethany’s home healthservices.

Janice Doebber, RN,Honored as one of Alexandria’s Top Professionals

Front Center: Janice Doebber - Recognized as Lakes Area Top 20 Professional!Back row left to right: Patti Carey, director of housing; Wendy Halbe, Bethel Manormanager; Ashley Olson, social services coordinator; Ella Barry, resident assistant

Bayshore, which provides home fora number of Duluth/Superior arearesidents with Ahlzeimer’s,continues to take a leadership rolein the Duluth-Superior Alzheimer’sMemory Walk, which raised $20,000this year for the fight againstAhlzeimer’s disease. Bayshore, amemory walk sponsor, receivedawards for raising the most money

Bayshore Plays Leadership Rolein Duluth/Superior Alzheimer’s Walk

as a team (more than $4,000), themost team walkers (45) and anaward for having the third-mostmoney raised per walker.

Bayshore volunteer Muriel Johnsonsingle-handedly collected nearly$2,000 in donations and received anaward for garnering the singlelargest donation. This was a family

affair for many volunteers,including Terri McIntyre, whoworks in Bayshore’s Alzheimer’sunit. Her children collected over$100 for the walk. Congratulationsto co-captains Becky Bloom andCarol Bearheart and the rest ofthe Bayshore team for helpingmake this year’s walk such asuccess.

CongratulationsJanice, BethanyCommunity and

Bayshore!!!


Tony Oliva and Becky Dalzell

Becky Dalzell, LPN, at LakeviewCommons brought a specialautographed photo of Tony Oliva withher to the Lakeview Commons event.

Although the Twins didn’t do so wellon the field, we sure had fun off thefield with them. Several Ecumencommunities recently held multi-generational celebrations with membersof the 1965 Minnesota Twins.

Former Twins player and managerFrank Quilici celebrated the 20th

Anniversary of Martin LutherManor Adult Day Services program.Special guests of honor includedJoanne Kendall who began Adult DayServices and 20-year volunteer BethelIverson. Frank brought many pieces ofhis own baseball memorabilia collectionto share with residents.

Ecumen Communities Celebrate “Living Fully After 50!”

with 1965 Twins

Becky Dalzell, LPN andTony Oliva Reunited

One of Becky’s first patients aftergraduation as an LPN was Tony, who hadmajor knee surgery at St. Mary’s Hospitalin Rochester in 1967. Nearly 40 yearslater, Becky and Tony were reunited atthe Lakeview Commons event, whereBecky shared her photo with Tony fromthat time at St. Mary’s in Rochester.

Lakeview Commons staff, residentsand families enjoyed celebratingwith the 1965 Minnesota Twins

Frank Quilici andDay Center participants

Martin Luther ManorAdult Day Celebration


Joe, who was a longtime grocer, shareshis love of life and sports with a largefamily that includes eight children, 14grandchildren and two great-greatgrandchildren. Joe and his wife Marywere married for nearly 50 years beforeshe was called to Heaven in 1988. Bothwere honored by the Windom communityfor their work in providing home and loveto numerous foster children.

Emmanuel Home ofLitchfield Celebrates1965 TwinsElizabeth Anderson, Emmanuel Home’sactivities director, and other team membersat Emmanuel Home in Litchfield created amulti-generational celebration. The LitchfieldIndependent Review captured the event ina front-page article. That weekend wascapped off with a bus trip of more than 50people organized by staff at AugustanaHome and Emmanuel Home to attend theTwins game in which Centennial Houseresident Joe Moede threw the first pitch.

When Centennial House resident andWindom native Joe Moede was playingtown league baseball in the 1930s, heprobably didn’t foresee that one day hewould pitch in a Major League ballparkand then have a Big League team salutehim.

Joe threw out the first pitch as part ofthe Minnesota Twins/Ecumen celebrationof the 1965 Twins World Series team onAugust 21. Accompanied by members ofthe Ecumen Operations Leadership Team,and Centennial House leader JanisRivers, Joe threw the ceremonial firstpitch to former Twins player andmanager Frank Quilici. Before thegame, Joe visited with members of the1965 team, including Jim “Mudcat”Grant, Harmon Killebrew, and TonyOliva. As he departed the field, Joepassed by the Seattle Mariners dugout,where each Mariner tipped his cap intribute to the outfielder from Windom.

A Tip of the Cap toCentennial House’sJoe Moede

Inheriting a love of sports from his father,a town league baseball star, Joe haspassed that on to his children andgrandchildren. Joe, who will soon turn90, begins each day reading the sportspage before heading to his daily exercisegroup. You’ll also often find him at hisgrandchildren’s games, cheering them on.Thank you to Joe Moede for makinga day at the ballpark so enjoyable!

Celebrating with Tony Oliva at Litchfield

Litchfield heads to the Dome

The All-Star from Windomgoes to “The Show”


It’s Easy to Rate an Innovation:

Go to the Innovation Station

Click Browse Innovations

Select an Innovation to view. Towards the bottom of the report you will seethe following menu:

Home | Browse | Printable Report | Rate this Innovation | View Ratings

Click Rate this Innovation

Introducing a New Rating Featureon the Innovation Station

New Process Patterned After Amazon.com to PlaySignificant Part in “Major Innovation” Selection

A special thank you to those inventors throughoutEcumen who recently shared innovations …

Joyce Aakre, Shelly Sohre, and Peggy Sudheimer, The Oaks, for Walk to Chicago

Randy Conright and Jason Leibel, Martin Luther Manor, for Nurse Call Light Detail Reporting System

Vicki Berger, Patti Aune, Connie McClay and Rhonda Schwartz, Ecumen Home Office, for Payroll Goes Paperless

Randy Conright and Jason Leibel, Martin Luther Manor, for Digital Security Recording System

John Oliver and Jessica Drecktrah, Ecumen Home Office, for Innovation Station Rating System

Each year a designated team of Ecumen leaders select several major innovations to be recognizedacross Ecumen. To gather employee insights and feedback to be used in the selection process, anonline forum — similar to Amazon.com — has been created for your use. Your reviews ofsubmitted innovations will be used as part of the “major innovation” selection process.


Grocery shopping can be a real pain,especially if you don’t drive. Yet animportant part of being at home is beingable to have food that you choose andwhich you enjoy. Recognizing this, Patti

Spotlight on Innovation:Online Grocery Shopping in Alexandria

Carey and Wendy Halbe met withPete’s Country Market in Alexandriato figure out an online solution forgrocery delivery to residents of BethelManor and Winona Shores inAlexandria.

Now residents at Bethel Manor andWinona Shores have the option to ordergroceries through the Internet and havethem delivered directly to their residencefrom Pete’s Country Market. Nearly 10residents have become regular users ofthe program, which began about threemonths ago. Residents meet with servicecoordinator Ashley Olson on Tuesdaysto place their order for next-day delivery.In addition to enhancing choice andconvenience, the service generates about$30 in net income per client per month.The service is expected to only grow asmarketing expands for the program.Already, Patti says she is receiving moreinquiries for housing since the groceryprogram was added.

Pat Butler has groceries deliveredto her door by Pete’s Country

Market employee

Ashley Olson, service coordinator andresident Pat Butler place a grocery order

InnovationStation


Residents, neighbors, staff and Ecumenleaders held a beautiful tribute celebrationthat honored Twin City Linnea Home’slegacy on October 18. Twin City LinneaHome closed on October 21 after nearly90 years of providing home for residentsin St. Paul’s Saint Anthony Parkneighborhood.

The service honored Twin City LinneaHome’s history and also celebratedtransformation to new housing andchoices for older adults. Each participantreceived a special legacy gift — amemorable scroll featuring a reflectionon the Linnea Flower written by formerTwin City Linnea Home resident HaroldMandt. The American Swedish Institutewill house historic records, furniture anda Swedish banner from Twin City LinneaHome, which was originally home toyoung Swedish women who had justimmigrated to the United States.

The team at Twin City Linnea Home, ledby Dale Armitage, Twin City LinneaHome administrator, and ElizabethManke, director of nursing, providedgreat guidance and direction as theyworked with residents and their familymembers to relocate to new communities.Throughout the transition, ChuckZimmerman, Ecumen’s director ofcampus operations, demonstrated hiscommitment to servant leadership.Chuck’s concern for the well being of TwinCity Linnea residents and staff, as well ashis attention to detail, were key factors inmaking this transition a successful one.

Chuck Zimmerman and Hobb Weiss, Linnea Board Chair

LegacyceLebrationHeLd attwin cityLinnea Home

Front L to R: Alicia Plattner, dietary director; withdietary staff: Roshani Dahal, Shama Dahal, Hannato

Nologu; Back: Paul Richardson


A strong connection exists betweenthe word ecumenical (which meansuniversal) and Ecumen. Thatconnection extends to ourorganization’s artwork, such as theEcumen logo, which featuresoutstretched arms inviting people tojoin us in our mission. You’ll also findartwork at a number of Ecumencommunities that highlightsinclusiveness among people of allreligious faiths.

One of the newest pieces of artworkwithin Ecumen is a gift given toBayshore by the family of LeonardQuady. Leonard, a former Bayshoreresident, was called to Heaven earlierthis year. The banner from Leonard’sfamily completes Bayshore’s sacredfabric art display that adorns theBayshore worship area. The banner,which was designed by renownedecclesiastical artist JeanettePaulson, hangs next to six squares(also a work by Jeanette) done in thesix colors of the Christian liturgicalseasons.

According to Bayshore chaplainAlice Olson, the banner’s prominentcircle universally symbolizes the circleof life (no end/no beginning); theomniscience, omnipresence,omnipotence, completeness of ahigher being; and the sun/source oflife. The design includes waves ofgold thread holding the circle, whichsymbolizes God holding the globe inloving/active/healing arms. Scatteredsquares of a pale yellow-gold fabriccomplete the design as individualsfloating about, communicating,caring for one another, and living outlives within the love of a UniversalBeing.

“We’re extremely thankful to theQuady family for this beautifulartwork,” says Pastor Olson. “Itcommunicates to all who visitBayshore’s sacred space that theyare welcome and embraced ingreat love and compassion.”

Bayshore’sNew

EcumenicalArtwork

Shines forAll

Bayshore chaplain Alice Olson

About the ArtistJeanette Paulson is a textile artist whospecializes in sacred fabric art. She worksout of her Duluth studio, called “Adorn ThisHouse.” Her art is featured at WartburgTheological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa;Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul;Concordia College, St. Paul; St. Olaf College,Northfield; the St. Paul Area Council ofChurches and at churches around thecountry. She is one of the McKnightFoundation’s featured Minnesota artists.You can learn more about her atmnartists.org or adornthishouse.com


EmmanuelCommunityIntroducesThe Madisonto Detroit LakesEmmanuel Community has addedanother gem to its variety of housing andservice options in Detroit Lakes. Lastmonth Emmanuel Community introducedThe Madison to Detroit Lakes. Morethan 400 people came to the celebratoryOpen House.

The Madison is an independent livingcommunity adjacent to EmmanuelHome. The Madison is in a quietresidential neighborhood and close tocommunity amenities such as the citypark, Detroit Lakes High School andseveral churches. It has 38 one- and two-bedroom residences and includes sevendifferent floor plans ranging from 700 to1,000 square feet.

“We have had tremendous response fromthe community for this type of housingoption,” said Janet Green, executivedirector of Emmanuel Community. “It is awonderful addition to Detroit Lakes andthe Emmanuel Community.”

Each residence at The Madison features afull kitchen, private deck, raised-paneloak cabinets and doors, nine-footceilings, large windows, central airconditioning and hot water heat. TheMadison also has convenient under-ground parking, a hair salon, exerciseroom and dining room with a large stonefireplace.

Katie Lundmark has been namedhousing manager at The Madison. She isa graduate of Concordia College, whereshe majored in health care and long-termcare administration.

Janet Greengreets visitors atThe Madison’sOpen Housecelebration


Visit the Ecumen Cyber Storefor great gifts and gift

certificates. Gotowww.ecumencyberstore.orgor go to webnet and click onthe Ecumen Cyber Store link.

If you’d like to set up anonline shopping program foryour residents, please contactHolly Buhler at 952-829-0729.

Visit theEcumenCyber Store

for Great Gifts

Ecumen InsiderPublished bi-monthly, Ecumen Insiderprovides an inside look at the people andplaces that make up Ecumen.

We welcome your comments, stories, ideasand feedback. Please contact Eric Schubert,Ecumen’s director of communications, [email protected] or 651-766-4333.

Editor: Eric SchubertDesign and Production: Linda Oelker

Visit the Ecumen Cyber Store at www.ecumencyberstore.org

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november 2005 employee engagement fundamental to...

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