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Mildred Bender Honorees Named for 2022

Mildred Bender Honorees Named for 2022

Mar 11, 2022 | Community

On Monday, February 28, managers, trustees, friends, and family honored the 2022 Mildred Bender Award recipients at a luncheon in the Garden Court Dining on the Founders Campus. Recognized for their outstanding service are:

  • Donna Wetzel, Resident
  • D. Michael Byler, Volunteer
  • Melissa Hevener, Employee

Exemplifying a Spirit of Ministry to Others

The Mildred L. Bender Memorial Fund was established by a loving and grateful family in tribute to a woman whose life and work exemplified a spirit of ministry to others. A life-long member of the Moravian Church, Mrs. Bender spent her final years as a resident of Moravian Manor Communities, where her comfort and concern for others left a lasting impression. Following her death in 1994, a memorial fund was set up in an effort to perpetuate the cherished values she held so dear.

There are two purposes of the fund:

  1. Annually recognize the outstanding service of a Moravian Manor Communities’ resident, volunteer, and employee who best exemplify the ministry, mission, and core values of MMC.
  2. Assist MMC residents needing financial assistance.

Donna WetzelMrs. Donna Wetzel (Resident)

Donna, her husband Jim, and four-legged friend Mia, joined MMC as Pioneers in the first phase of the Warwick Woodlands campus in January 2017.

As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN),  Donna’s spirit of “helping others” was evident from the beginning. She was most interested in the Lamplighters auxiliary and how she could use her keen eye for up-cycling and crafts to benefit their ministry for raising funds for benevolent care … while providing a resource for cards, gifts, and second-hand treasures for others.

Donna has led our Lamplighters through a transition of leadership. During this time, she and her team have revived and grown the “Lemon Street Boutique” and “Snowy Owl Gift Shop” through COVID-19.

The Lamplighters have many fundraising opportunities for all to participate in, such as the Gift Shop, Artisan Porch Sales, Zook’s Pie sale…Donna is always thinking of others. How to serve others. That is her “business plan.” Though it’s not all “business” for Donna…it’s all about how to serve and provide for others.

Her leadership has brought the Lamplighters into the next generation of finding ways to creatively fund our benevolent services and wish list. A WIN-WIN!

Donna Wetzel exemplifies the Mildred Bender Award and the mission and ministry of Moravian Manor Communities

Mr. D. Michael Byler (Volunteer)

How do MMC staff and residents describe Michael?

  • “Mr. Byler has been a faithful volunteer. His energy, enthusiasm, and friendliness are contagious. He is a true asset.”
  • “Michael is always here for the residents. Talking with them, sharing his stories, and listening to their stories.”
  • “I believe his presence is an extra “gift” for the male residents, who are most likely to encounter more female than male companionship.”
  • “Michael makes social interaction with anyone and everyone look effortless. Everyone is a friend.”

Michael Byler has been a volunteer at MMC since 2017, visiting residents in the care areas on the Founder’s campus. After MMC reopened in April 2021, Michael returned to visit old friends and make some new ones, which he does easily. He is as at home in Herrnhut as he is in the Health Center. It is rare to find this versatility in a volunteer. He is inclusive and kind. That is why people use words like “dedicated,” “an asset,” and “a friend” to describe him. Many thanks for sharing your time and gifts with MMC residents and staff.

Michael Byler exemplifies the Mildred Bender Award and the mission and ministry of Moravian Manor Communities

Melissa HevenerMs. Melissa Hevener (Employee)

As the Senior Unit Secretary and a member of the MMC staff for 41 years, Melissa has shown a strong commitment to excellence during her years of service. She has demonstrated a dedication to the mission and has shown resilience in the face of numerous changes and challenges throughout the years.

She is praised by her nurses for her efficiency and knowledge in managing orders, admissions, and discharges and for her ability to navigate systems to find relevant clinical information in a time-sensitive fashion. She is praised for her initiative and attention to detail. These traits are extremely helpful in maintaining a strong reputation for compliance during surveys.

Melissa has altered her schedule voluntarily on a number of occasions, such as weekends and off hours, to help with admissions and testing.

The doctors, administrators, infection control specialist, her supervisor, the MDS department, and charge nurses have all come to trust in and appreciate her ability to provide guidance and assistance in numerous clinical duties. Melissa has been recognized and praised by many for the quality of training she provides to RNs and LPNs in navigating various health portals.

Call offs are rare with Melissa, and she has been a steady force through even the most challenging of times.

Melissa Hevener exemplifies the Mildred Bender Award and the mission and ministry of Moravian Manor Communities.

Jill Wanga – Excellence in Customer Care

Jill Wanga – Excellence in Customer Care

Mar 9, 2022 | Excellence in Care

Jill Wanga, Certified Dementia Practitioner
Activities Staff

As a Certified Dementia Practitioner, when working in the Herrnhut Community, Jill uses her training and years of experience to engage residents, who are no longer communicative, in a meaningful way. Jill has won the trust of many residents including those who tend to be more introverted than others.

One of Jill’s strengths is her ability to share in quality one-to-one visits with residents regardless of their cognitive status. She also strives to come up with new and interesting programming that meets the needs of residents. Some examples of her programs to engage residents include her “Prayer and Share” group, which is meant to complement MMC’s current spiritual offerings through discussing scripture, giving residents an opportunity to talk about struggles they might be having and using the support of those in the group through prayer. Another example is her “Neighbor-to-Neighbor” visits, where she asks one of the residents to pass out puzzles or food door-to-door. This allows residents to make connections with their neighbors on the floor and has led to residents doing room visits on their own to chat and say hello.

Thank you, Jill, for your dedication to Excellence in Customer Care!

About the Excellence in Customer Care Recognition Program:

Moravian Manor Communities takes pride in maintaining a strong set of standards and ethics, delivering superior services that make a difference in the daily lives of residents. Through the Excellence in Customer Care recognition program, MMC’s leadership and management team nominate and acknowledge the contributions made by team members who rise to challenges and go above and beyond the call of duty.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #48

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #48

Mar 4, 2022 | COVID Update

Today’s update will focus on changes to our COVID practices and the current infection rate in Lancaster County. 

First, the good news is that the positivity rate in Lancaster County continues to decrease rapidly. As of March 3, the positivity rate is 6.08. At the time of my last update, the rate was 25.61%. The chart below shows the LGH/Penn Medicine COVID hospitalizations as of February 28, 2022. Again, an impressive decline from one month earlier. Compare the February 28 data with the January 31 data. From my perspective, it does not get much more optimistic than these two graphics! 

LANCASTER GENERAL HOSPITAL 02/28/2022

LANCASTER GENERAL HOSPITAL 01/31/2022

On Wednesday, March 2, our COVID-19 Task Force met and had a lively discussion for almost 90 minutes. In short, there were two discussions. One topic focused on Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living, and the other, Residential Living. When discussed in silos, the conclusions are straightforward. However, at Moravian Manor Communities, we are unable and should not operate in silos. 

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has loosened the masking requirements nationally based upon positivity rates. As shared earlier, our rates in Lancaster County are better than in many months. In terms of loosening up some of our requirements in Residential Living, the question became, “if not now, when?” We decided to focus on the now. 

Effective immediately, masks are not required for residential living residents in non-care areas. However, if you desire to wear a mask, please continue to do so. The change is a difficult transition for our clinicians as we have had two years of preaching and attempting to enforce masking guidelines. 

Our Task Force wants to emphasize that the masking requirements in skilled nursing, personal care, and assisted living have not changed. Our staff have enough duties to perform; they should not have to chase down visitors in these areas and ask them to mask up. 

Several other updates accompany the change in masking requirements at MMC. I note them below. 

  • The Owl’s Nest will open to the broader community for lunch service effective Tuesday, March 8. We will post signs that outside guests must be vaccinated to enter. Our staff will not be checking vaccine cards. 
  • At this time our hours of service will not change. Due to the limited hours, the Owls Nest will not accept outside reservations for evening dinner service. Residents can bring guests to all meals. Your guests should be vaccinated. 
  • The café area will reopen for folks to enjoy their breakfast or lunch on Monday, March 7. So, for the first time in two years, residents will be able to socialize. Hallelujah! 
  • It is important to note that this update does not change our hours of service or types of service. For example, our “short-order” grill is not reopening. Food items available in the café will remain the same for the present time. 
  • Residential Living residents entering the Woods apartment building or the main entrance at the Founders Campus will no longer need to check-in at our kiosks if they are using the common areas (Steinman Hall, Café, Garden Court Dining Room, and Library). However, if you are coming to visit someone in our care areas, you are still required to check in and wear a visitor’s badge. Please help our staff make their days more tolerable by heeding these instructions. 
  • Staff will continue to be required to mask up in all interior areas until further notice. 

Give your neighbors space, and do not push them to participate in activities or dining experiences if they are still uncomfortable. Every individual is at a different place on this journey. For instance, my wife is a much more social creature than I am, and she is busy planning things “to do and people to see.” We have decided that I will remain behind “catching up on domestic duties” on some of the ventures!” Give each other space. 

The task force conversation became lengthy because of the distinct possibility of non-compliance. It is much easier to manage when not operating in gray areas. At the same time, our team recognizes that keeping residents safe is a broader mission than just the physical aspect. Many are struggling with depression, loneliness, and the need for socialization. We are at a place now where the physical challenges are under control, and we must start addressing the other aspects of our being. 

It has been a long two years. I have been blessed to be part of a very supportive community from the residents, staff, and family members. Thank you for your continued support of our team. Whether you know it or not, residents are the ones that give us the energy and courage for another day.