From the D.O.N to You                                 By: Sandy Godfrey

    

May 6th through May 12th is National Nurses Week. In 1893, Lystra Gretter and the Farrand Training School of Nurses wrote an adaptation of the Physician’s Hippocratic Oath for Nurses. It was named the Florence Nightingale Pledge in honor of the esteemed founder of nursing. This pledge is still recited at some graduation and pinning ceremonies for nurses. May 12th is Nurse Nightingale’s birth date. I came across the Pledge recently and though nursing has changed through the years, the Pledge still rings true. Here is the last line: “With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.” I see nurses here every day devoting themselves to the welfare of our residents. I am thankful for each and every one of them and I am proud to work with them. I hope you all have a Happy Nurses Week.  On Tuesday we swapped out 120 beds. We replaced our old beds with new electric beds. I personally would like to thank the staff and volunteers that were here that day. You all did such a wonderful job in making the process go as smoothly as possible. I would also like to thank the residents for their patience and cooperation.  Next week is National Nursing Home Week. We have a lot of activities planned for staff and residents alike. I hope you all enjoy the events, it should be fun. Don’t forget to sign up for the Banquet. Remember, “If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, your right” So think you can!

 

 

D.P.H. Survey Team Offers High Praise       By: Bill Graves & Sandy Godfrey

Throughout the Survey process, we had the opportunity to meet with the surveyors several times.  During those meetings, we discussed the progress of the survey, and every time, the discussion came back to our culture change efforts.  Those of you that were at the exit conference heard first hand what a powerful impact we had on the team.  What most of you didn’t hear, were the positive comments made to us during those discussions.  We’ve tried to include as many comments as we could remember.  As you read these, remember that they were made by DPH surveyors, who go into hundreds of nursing homes  a year.  We hope you all feel as proud of your work as we are. 

• St. Camillus truly exemplifies the heart and meaning of the regulations.  
• In my book, St. Camillus is one of the elite nursing homes I have ever surveyed.   
• It’s easy to tell that the residents felt safe here, because the residents reached out to me, and smiled at me, even  though I was a stranger. 
• You folks have set the bar very high—now you have to sustain it at that level.
•  Its obvious that the staff are happy here. They were very friendly and open, even to us, which doesn’t happen every where we go.  
• Your residents are very vocal. They know who to speak to when they have concerns, and aren’t afraid to speak up when they have an issue. It’s also very apparent that those concerns are addressed. You should be very proud of your staff and the work you have done. 
• You have truly created “home” for your residents

My 70th Birthday                              By: Fr. Jack Gallagher
 

 

When I was 50, I realized that it was a gift and something to be celebrated. Then I was 60, which I celebrated with 3 parties. Now I was reaching 70. A while back my friend Kathy Meehan said, “Jack, you have to celebrate your birthday.” I knew that I had to: my father made it to 69, my mother to 70, but they lived healthier lives than I. Bill Graves, Sandy Godfrey and Kathy Meehan planned the affair. On April 22nd at 5:00pm it got underway. The atmosphere took my breath away. Father Richard O’Donnell came from Milwaukee, and my brother and his friend came from New Jersey. The house was filled with the crowd from Brian’s, and then some. Senator Dick Moore “roasted me” with others presenting me with an official citation from the State Senate as “Pastor of St. Brian’s.” It was  a lavish affair to open the social season of Whitinsville, “the party to end all parties.” My resolve for the coming year: Let’s have mirth while we have time. Anyone can make a person cry, but it is a very special person who can make themselves and others laugh. My thanks to all who have made my birthday celebration so memorable. P.S. The oversized birthday card that Kathy made for me with best wishes from all of my friends, has been enshrined on the back wall of the chapel. 

 

 

 

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