This past week (Thu, Jan 12 - Wed, Jan 18, 2023) the Community Transmission level was Substantial for Cook County.
Surgical masks will be required in all areas except McAuley, which will continue with N95s. In terms of visiting, unless you are taking your family member out, we ask that you continue to call, given the size of most homes and the limited number of visiting areas. We still continue to see activity on our campus, so we will proceed with caution and ask that mask usage continue for now.
*Going forward, we will only provide an update when there is a change in masking requirements.
Happy New Year, MFA Families! The Misericordia Volunteer Office is getting in touch to announce upcoming opportunities that are in need of volunteer assistance.
2023 Sunday Brunches in the Greenhouse Inn - We're in need of help on many upcoming Sundays in the Greenhouse Inn. This has historically been an area that the SIBs have taken charge of, and we would like to make a big push to have this resume in 2023. If you're a member of the SIBs, we're asking you to reach out to your network of friends and family and take on a Sunday in the restaurant. Since each shift in the Greenhouse Inn needs many people, this is a great opportunity to share the mission and community of Misericordia with friends new and old. More info about this opportunity and space to sign up for shifts can be found here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4eadac29a57-sunday2#/
Laundry Volunteers - The laundry facility at Misericordia does thousands of pounds of laundry each week, and they are open 365 days a year. Monday - Friday there are residents working here as a part of our Community Day Services and Developmental Training programs, but on the weekends our staff continue the work with volunteer assistance. If you're interested in helping in our laundry facility, you can read more about this and sign up for shifts here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4caeac23a2f49-misericordia13#/
Other upcoming volunteer needs throughout the spring and summer will be posted here, so please keep your eyes peeled for ways to stay involved with Misericordia!
pDear Families,
Thank you to those who were able to join us virtually for the MFA General Meeting (on January 15th).
However, if you were unable to make the meeting, the recording is available for your viewing.
It can be viewed on YouTube by going to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QIhlGg8R2Q
Thank you,
Pam and Jim Capraro
MFA Chairs
December 7, 2022
Dear Fellow Employees and Families,
As noted in my letter to all on November 14th regarding the status of organizational changes, I had announced that we had named the Vice President of Residential Services, Chris Krackenberger; the VP of Program Delivery, Tina Stendardo; and the VP of People, Culture and Strategy, Geana Connelly. At that time, we were still interviewing for the Vice President of Clinical Services. We have recently offered the position to one candidate and she has accepted. Her name is Madelyne Trejo and she is currently Associate Vice President of Nursing, Perioperative, GI, and Anesthesia at Swedish Covenant Hospital. She has her RN, MSN, and MBA; and, in addition to her clinical skills, Madelyne sees herself as a leader of people and takes pride in developing people to their full potential. It is imperative that we continue to develop and support new leaders here at Misericordia.
Madelyne will be joining our team in early January. She will be very busy for several months learning about Misericordia, our culture, mission and values and of course the residents, the staff, her departments and families. She will oversee all of nursing, physicians and nurse practitioners, therapy, dental office, dieticians, and provider clinics.
Madelyne will be joining the current VP team of Tina, Geana, and Chris. They will officially be in their new roles in January. All VP offices will be in the Administration hallway. We look forward to welcoming Madelyne to our Misericordia family.
Sincerely,
Fr. Jack Clair
President and Executive Director
Home Visit RequestDear Families,
We are looking ahead to the Christmas holiday home visit. We expect that COVID-19 transmission levels will continue to be high. We need your help when returning your family member to their respective homes. We do not have the nursing staff available to do rapid testing upon return. We are asking that families complete a COVID-19 home test on their family member prior to returning and complete the form that we provide (click here ). We do not need the actual test you used, just the results on the form. (Should the results be positive, please contact the Administrator or Director before bringing your resident back.)
Within several days of your resident's return, nursing will be doing PCR testing. This is a very nursing-intensive process, so it helps to spread out the testing. Our understanding is that home tests are readily available at your local drug store. We appreciate and need your cooperation with this process. Unless something changes, we will expect the same for Christmas. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOUR FAMILY MEMBER HAS HAD COVID-19 WITHIN THE LAST 60 DAYS, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TEST.
Mary Pat O'Brien, Executive Vice President
After a 2-year absence, the Misericordia Siblings and Misericordia Resident Artists were thrilled to be back in the Modern Wing of the of Art Institute to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Artist in All. Over 1,000 friends and family attended and partook in the silent auction of more than 200 pieces of artwork that were produced by Misericordia resident artists and their Art Instructors. Thank you to everyone who supported the event!
We will be reaching out this week to all the auction winners to arrange for pick up of their purchase. Congratulations to Kara Allen, winner of the American Airlines Raffle!
We celebrated our resident artists on the Red Carpet this week! Congratulations to all our artists! More than 200 pieces of artwork were on display at Misericordia for our residents and staff to enjoy! Now onto the main event at the Art Institute!
Click here to watch the Artist in All Red Carpet Event video.
The words “Happy Thanksgiving” certainly take on a whole new meaning when you have a family member who calls Misericordia home. In spite of this unrelenting pandemic, our devoted, hardworking Misericordia staff continue to provide unparalleled care for those we love so much.
Once again, the MFA is partnering with Misericordia to recognize each and every one of our wonderful staff. Each of them helps to make Mis the home we love, and we want them to know how much we appreciate their efforts. From housekeeping to the kitchen, to the security guards, to nursing and social services, the DSPs and the Qs—we do not want to forget anyone! We are asking that MFA families show their appreciation by contributing to the MFA Holiday Staff Fund. We ask that you be as generous as your circumstances allow and encourage you to donate online. Click here to make your donation
Dear Families and Friends,
Today I am writing to you with a very special invitation – to support Misericordia’s residents with the gift of your time. We invite you to volunteer at one of Misericordia’s upcoming Holiday gatherings, which are much-loved celebrations for thousands of guests. From old friends to first-time visitors alike, they come to our campus this festive time of year to reconnect and learn more about our mission that serves our children and adults.
This year, as we return to in-person events, we are especially – and desperately – in need of your help. Our greatest current needs are for the weekday events and Sunday Holiday Brunches on:
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