North Shore Health (NSH) Administrator Kimber Wraalstad reported some good news when she announced that the Board of the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation had revealed that they had approved a grant of $60,000 to NSH to support the Serenity Garden Project.
Wraalstad said the funds would be made available to use as the work begins to create the garden.
The Serenity Garden project will transform the “bleak, near barren courtyard into a place of beauty,” noted Wraalstad.
“In the midst of COVID-19, it was felt that we needed a project to provide a place of peace and serenity,” said Wraalstad, adding a big thank you to Mary Sanders and Nancy Koloski for their work on the grant application, as well as thanking the rest of the Serenity Garden Committee for their dedication and hard work to make this project happen.
Activities Director Hudler to retire
North Shore Care Center Activities Director Belinda Hudler has announced that she will retire on April 24, 2020.
Belinda began work as a nursing assistant at North Shore Health in May 2009. She joined the activities department in October 2009, and on September 11, 2015, Belinda became the activity department director.
“We thank Belinda for her years of service to the residents and the patients of North Shore Health and wish her the best in her retirement,” said Kimber Wraalstad.
LeadingAge Leadership Academy
Malorie Brazell from Lab and a SafeCare for Seniors Co-Champion, along with Kris Phillips, a Patient Access Lead Representative, have been selected to participate in LeadingAge Minnesota Leadership Academy.
Since 2010 there have been 300 professionals that have graduated from this prestigious program. Three of those graduates include North Shore Health employees Sarah Groth, Kathy Bernier and Jennifer Dowden.
Attendees spend eight months learning leadership theory, applied learning, personalized coaching, interactive expedience, self-reflection, critical skill development and action learning.
“They represent a new generation of transformational leaders in aging services—leaders who will not just respond to the changing time but who will drive positive change for their organizations and the aging services community,” said Kimber Wraalstad.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, classes will be conducted via online at this time.
DuChein to retire
Steve DuChien, the ambulance department manager, said he would retire from North Shore Health on June 15, 2020.
Steve started as an EMT at North Shore Health on June 15, 1985, putting in a total of 34 years upon his retirement.
On January 16, 2012, Steve was named department manager for the ambulance.
Said Wraalstad, “There have been many changes in emergency service during Steve’s tenure and we thank him for his many years of service and wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.”
A recognition tea will be held in Steve DuChien’s honor.
Bond savings
A reduction of interest rates allowed North Shore Health to restructure four long-term construction bonds. Following payment of $23,558.89 for a restructuring fee, the hospital will see an annual savings of $79,676.16, and the new rates will be fixed to maturity (10/1/2045) and contain a five-year prepayment penalty, just like the original bonds.
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