Fall/Winter 2019 Visit Us at Upmcseniorcommunities.Com Connections Or Call 1-800-324-5523 and Now… RD from WO OU a SPONSORS R Community Connections Fall/Winter 2019
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Community Fall/Winter 2019 Visit us at UPMCSeniorCommunities.com Connections or call 1-800-324-5523 And Now… RD FROM WO OU A SPONSORS R Community Connections Fall/Winter 2019 In this issue: Letter from the President Dear Friends: P. 4 With the end of 2019 in our sights, I am pleased to reflect on Arriving another successful year providing care to the residents we in Style have the privilege of serving every day. We choose daily to focus on enhancing the lives of seniors and making those golden years truly golden. You will see the 2020 UPMC Senior Communities Calendar prominently displayed in the Fall 2019 edition of Community P. 10 Connections, reflecting this year’s theme “And Now…A Nurture Your Word From Our Sponsors.” Vintage product ads and Career at television commercials provided the basis for creating yet UPMC Senior another fun experience at every facility. Communities Read about a very special visit to Seneca Manor, a UPMC Senior Communities assisted living facility in Penn Hills, from Kiya Tomlin, the wife of Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, herself an accomplished clothing designer. Meet veteran Ron Boyden, a resident at Beatty Point Village, who provides a compelling insight into the impact serving in the Vietnam War had on him and his desire to give back. P. 14 And of course, don’t miss the 2020 season of The Legacy Lineup productions; tickets are on sale Through an now! Performances from The Duprees and The Diamonds, new to the Legacy in 2020, are sure to be Artist’s Eye memorable events. Ordering tickets has just become easier; visit TheLegacyLineup.com or call our new ticketing service at 1-800-838-3006, and press 1. The ticketing service is open 24 hours a day. This fall edition demonstrates the ongoing effort to make every day count. From visits to our residents by special friends, to service to our country, to the simple beauty swans can bring to a campus, I hope you will enjoy learning more about UPMC Senior Communities. P. 16 Your donations to the UPMC Senior Communities Benevolent Care fund have made possible another Vietnam Vet year of providing support to residents who have outlived their resources. Their lives have been Continues to forever changed by your generosity. Serve Sincerely, Mark Bondi P. 12 President, UPMC Senior Communities P. 20 And Now... The Swans of Sherwood A Word From Oaks Our Sponsors 2 3 Community Connections Fall/Winter 2019 Arriving in Meet Kiya and Friends Kiya Tomlin, mistress of ceremonies for this year’s StyleCelebrating Senior Champions dinner and auction, kicked things off with a surprise visit to the residents of Seneca Manor. 4 5 Community Connections Fall/Winter 2019 It’s common knowledge that being a Steelers fan knows no season. So when Deanne Thomas, Activities Coordinator at Seneca Manor, the UPMC Senior Communities assisted living facility in Penn Hills, organized a Steelers Day in June, no one found it curious. On that day, residents and staff got out their Steelers attire and décor in preparation for the pep rally and Steelers trivia game that would take place that afternoon. It came with all the familiar trappings — black and gold balloons, cupcakes, flags, the fight song, even black and gold Senior Communities towels for waving. But it also came with a visit from a special guest, which took everyone by surprise and made the occasion truly special. Kiya Tomlin, wife of Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, arrived on 11th Annual cue, just as Jean, a Seneca Manor resident and die-hard fan, correctly answered a question as to the name of Coach Tomlin’s Celebrating Senior partner in marriage. Kiya was warmly received, even though Champions Dinner she quickly professed a blissful ignorance of all things football. and Auction Kiya is an entrepreneur who designs her own clothing line and oversees its production at her workshop in Etna. Her Wednesday, October 16, 2019, growing collection imaginatively straddles style, glamour, and Omni William Penn comfort. And proof is in the new piece she presented to Jean — a long, soft sweater in black and gold, adorned with the Reception 5:30 p.m., number 33, marking the year of the Steelers inception. Dinner and Awards 7 p.m. Gracious, funny, and articulate, it is easy to imagine Tickets on sale now! Call 412-864-3524 Kiya in front of another audience this fall when she will serve as mistress of ceremonies for the 2019 “Celebrating Senior Champions” dinner and auction. She is sure to lend a wonderful presence to the occasion, just as she did at Seneca Manor that afternoon in June. 6 7 Community Connections Fall/Winter 2019 Residents Pull Off a UPMC Senior Communities Heartfelt Surprise Helps Feed Those in Need UPMC Senior Communities is effective, food donation has been agrees. “We are able to store and collaborating with a local non- a topic of discussion. “We adhere freeze items throughout the week in profit to feed people in need in to federal guidelines in all food foil pans provided by Living Stones. neighboring communities. handling, so that we can safely offer They make weekly pick-ups on Living Stones, a South Hills-based quality items to those in need, while Fridays. I have to say I am surprised charitable organization, currently at the same time reducing waste in by the quantity we can share, and I collects excess food weekly from our facilities. We’re so glad to make couldn’t be happier with how it’s Asbury Heights in Mt. Lebanon, an impact in both these ways.” going. The people at Living Stones Strabane Trails Village independent are very committed to what they do, living and Strabane Woods assisted Aaron Kasper, Manager of Food and so are we.” living in Washington, and Vanadium Services at Vanadium Woods Village, Woods Village independent living in Bridgeville. “This is an immediate opportunity to address hunger in our community. Living Stones is preparing meals for more than 350 individuals in need, four times a month, at no charge, using the food they collect from UPMC Senior Communities and other participating local restaurants and Vanadium Woods Village residents Ruth Murphy (l) and facilities. We’re off to a great start Esther Alisesky (r) surround activities coordinator Gina Straight with our South Hills locations and hope to expand our participation,” Earlier this year, Ginny Jones, a resident of Vanadium Woods Village in says John Rizzo, Director of Dietary Bridgeville, spearheaded a celebration to honor the dedicated service of and Housekeeping Services for activities coordinator Gina Straight. With the support of staff and other UPMC Senior Communities. residents, Ginny was able to throw a party that included custom T-shirts, John participates in the Food Safety party favors, and candies imprinted with Gina’s name. More than 100 Committee under the auspices of residents and staff attended the party. the Allegheny County Health “No one has ever done anything like this for me before,” Gina said. Department, where responsible, “I will never forget this day.” Gina enjoys making sure residents are happy and getting the most out of their day. She has great passion for what she does and feels she has grown more confident over the last 11 years in this role. “When you see those smiling faces, then you know you’re doing your job,” said Gina. 8 9 Community Connections Fall/Winter 2019 aides, and anyone else looking to To learn more about career opportunities further their education. Nurture Your Career at with UPMC Senior Communities, visit This year, the scholarship program http://communitycareers.upmc.com. awarded 56 employees $2,000 each UPMC Senior Communities toward their education expenses. Since its inception in 2001, more than After starting a family, Meredith $924,000 has been distributed via decided to answer the call and 740 awards. pursue her nursing degree. Although Employees of UPMC Senior she wasn’t sure where her new career Communities do meaningful work would take her, Meredith knew every day and contribute to a she wanted to work with an older thriving, supportive environment. population. At Canterbury Place in Terry Meredith Pasternak, Lawrenceville, she is doing just that Professional Staff Nurse, – caring for those in need – and Slade, CNA Canterbury Place feeling a sense of fulfillment in return. ASBURY HEIGHTS There are many others throughout UPMC Senior Communities who go above and beyond to make residents Going above and smile. Continuing education is a significant part of the culture of beyond to make Sherwood Oaks, a continuing care retirement community located north residents smile of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township. The employees of UPMC Senior income as a home health aide. This Sherwood residents have funded a For Terry Slade, Certified Nursing Assistant at Asbury Heights in Mt. Lebanon, making Communities touch lives on a daily is where she developed a passion for scholarship program for college- residents smile is his daily goal. basis by providing compassionate healthcare. bound high school students, nursing Terry does more than simply care for residents and meet their basic needs. He realizes how essential his care to residents and their families. work is to residents’ happiness, and because of this, he is always willing to go that extra step to make them In turn, many of our employees smile. “It’s the little things that matter,” Terry said. have expressed feelings of great satisfaction and purpose for the “Whether you’re willing to help them out when they need help, pay attention to what time they want to get work they do. Before becoming a up, what they want to wear, or what they want to drink, all of those things affect not just someone’s day, but nurse, Meredith Pasternak was a also whether they have a nice quality of life,” Terry explained.