29 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY OldOld BrooklynBrooklyn NewsNews A Publication of the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio www.oldbrooklyn.com September 2007, Volume 29 Number 7 MetroHealth to open The Senior Keith Sulzer becomes Commander Health & Wellness Center October 1 of Cleveland Police Second District by Lynette Filips by Donnald Heckelmoser [email protected] [email protected] Keith Sulzer has just started his fifth Several months ago, MetroHealth week of command for the Cleveland Police Medical Center began running an ad with a Department’s Second District. Commander headline which read, “Pretty soon, seniors Sulzer is very excited to be at the helm at across the country will be wishing they lived Second District and is looking forward to in Old Brooklyn.” Now that “pretty soon” is many opportunities to improve the quality of just a few weeks away; the first segment of life and place for all the residents. the Senior Health & Wellness Center at Commander Sulzer is a graduate of St. MetroHealth Old Brooklyn Campus will be Edward High School (class of 1979). He opening on October 1. next earned a B.A. in Economics from the The situation at the former Deaconess College of Wooster (class of 1983). After Hospital complex, 4229 Pearl Rd., would be several years, he decided to attend the Photo by Sandy Worona quite dismal right now if that white elephant Cleveland Police Academy. While there he Commander Keith Sulzer, were still sitting vacant in the center of our received the Blue Coat Award for being #1 Second District, Cleveland Police Department downtown area. But happily, MetroHealth in his class. Medical Center had big plans for the build- The decision to focus resources also From 1990 to 1997 Commander Sulzer relies on numbers. When the citywide crime ing. was a patrol officer in the Fifth District. In In addition to the approximately 450 stats come out, he will see what areas have 1997 he was promoted to a Sargeant in the the most need for resources, and, in turn, information technology and financial servic- Sixth District. In 2000 Sulzer was promoted es employees MetroHealth relocated there in redirect those resources. to Lieutenant in the First District, in charge Commander Sulzer has had a fairly October, 2005, they are now ready to move of patrol and Fresh Start. In 2005 their Senior Health offices to their newly- smooth transition into Commander at Commander Sulzer was promoted to Second District mainly because of his expe- designed Senior Health & Wellness Center. Captain of the Fourth District patrol. A facility with no precedent, it’s expect- MetroHealth campus charge. rience as Captain in the Fourth District. So far Commander Sulzer has not (While he was there he learned to talk with ed to be a model for similar centers in other The second phase of The Senior Health enacted any policy changes for Second cities throughout the United States. T h e and Wellness Center will open early next and command people.) District; what he has done is “get down to The hardest part about the new job as interior of the former hospital was gutted spring. MetroHealth’s partners in that seg- business”. He’s instituted a Quality of Life and the interior redesigned with the needs ment of the endeavor are Concordia Care; Commander of the Second District is that initiative whereby there is strategic place- there is not enough time in a shift to take and comfort of seniors in mind. The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA); ment of resources to particular streets and James W. Cambell, M.D., the Chairman VNA Hospice and Palliative Care Partners care of everything that he wants to take care neighborhoods within Second District. of. This is good for the residents of Second of Family Medicine and Senior Health at of Ohio; and the Benjamin Rose Institute. These resources are then directed toward the MetroHealth, thinks that the new Wellness Then there will also be major in-patient District because it means that he looks for- issues that most frustrate residents. (Their ward to going to work everyday and solving Center will give Metro the ability “to have a services for the elderly at MetroHealth Old concerns can range from loud music and tremendous impact on the health of older Brooklyn— adult daycare for the very frail; the problems that the residents of this district traffic to domestic and neighbor disputes.) face everyday. Greater Clevelanders.” “It’s an honor and a a 14-bed hospice unit for the terminally ill; It is everyone’s hope that concentrating privilege to join the Old Brooklyn communi- and a 144-bed long-term and short-term care When asked what his goals were for the on the streets and the neighborhoods where coming months and years Commander ty,” he further stated. nursing home facility there are constant complaints from residents MetroHealth has been Even before designing Sulzer replied that his goals were the same will lead to larger, more serious arrests and as the residents that he serves. In regards to attuned to the special health its senior health center, also help deter potential criminals. needs of senior citizens for MetroHealth had an exten- long term goals he made reference to the Commander Sulzer would like to see Safety Director and the Mayors plans to years, as evidenced by their sive volunteer program, and some focusing of resources on Denison Ave. Advantage program which now they are enlarging it to make the change from six districts to five because there were many comments about districts next year. Once this is decided on offers anyone at least fifty also include the former drugs, noise and criminal activities at the five years old numerous Deaconess complex. A t there will be much more talk about future Brooklyn Center Community Association longterm goals for the Second District. perks at the medical center. this point in time they need meeting he attended last month. Now the Advantage people to greet visitors, give office and the majority of directions and escort patients their health care providers (eighteen of the within the facility and work in the gift shop. Art House invites community to twenty “Senior Health specialist” primary After the adult day care program and care physicians and four of the seven geri- the hospice unit open in Old Brooklyn next “We’re 5 Alive Open House” atric nurse practitioners) will move to the year, those facilities, too, will be looking for To celebrate its first five years of mak- culture, providing opportunities for people MetroHealth Old Brooklyn Campus. Every volunteers. ing art in our community, Art House, Inc., to create, learn and communicate ideas, doctor, dentist, nurse and therapist at The They will need Eucharistic Ministers 3119 Denison Ave., is inviting everyone to a thereby strengthening the community. Senior Health & Wellness Center will have and pastoral visitors, plus other folks willing free celebration from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on It is hard to believe that five years ago had from one to three years of their medical to share their talents with residents (e.g., arts Saturday, September 29. The event will fea- our studio space was a dilapidated, aban- training specifically focused on the care of and crafts), provide companionship and ture free food, art activities, music and (if doned Quonset hut,” says Sheryl Hoffman, the older generation. kindness, and help with holiday and other weather permits) kite flying at Denison Art House’s Executive Director. “We now Come October 1 there will also be seasonal celebrations. Call Becky Moldaver School. At press-time, an art sale and an have a wonderful bright, safe and welcom- departments in the Senior Health Outpatient or Kathleen Violand, 216-778-4471, to learn animal show were also being planned. ing 3,000-square-foot domed studio where Program staffed by the medical specialists more and/or volunteer. Located in historic Brooklyn Centre on the community enjoys a variety of art class- whom seniors utilize most — cardiologists, MetroHealth will host a Community the west side of Cleveland, Art House is a es, arts education and special event pro- dentists, kidney specialists, dermatologists, Open House at The Senior Health & nonprofit art center that provides visual and gramming.” neurologists, podiatrists, pulmonary special- Wellness Center on Wednesday, October creative arts classes to people of all ages and For more information about the event, ists, rheumatologists, uro-gynecologists and 17th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be skill levels. Founded in 1999 by a group of call Art House at 216-398-8556, or visit mental health providers. And it’s likely that free health screenings, refreshments and artists and area residents, Art House’s mis- www.arthouseinc.org. in time, additional departments (perhaps music by “The Four Lads”. Other details sion is to nurture involvement in the arts and opthamology and otolaryngology, for about the event are still incomplete; there instance) will have offices there, too. will be more information about it in the There will not be an Emergency Room October Old Brooklyn News. at MetroHealth South, but Urgent Care “Helping you live the life you love” is What’What’ss InsideInside appointments for same-day, non-life-threat- Metro’s catch-phrase for their new state-of- Community Toolbox . 7 ening situations will be available. There will the-art facility. They claim that “The Senior Master Gardeners; Community Italian Churches . 8 be ancillary services there, too — a laborato- Health & Wellness Center at MetroHealth Spotlight; From the Desk of the ry, a radiology department and a pharmacy Old Brooklyn Campus is the only place in the Executive Director .