Strategic Planning: Open House Forums – Listening for the Future

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In October 2023, Menno Place Executive Team, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, decided on an approach to update the Strategic Framework and Operational Plan for the organization which will expire at the end of 2024.

In order to create a successful, meaningful, and sustainable strategic plan that is inspirational as well as aspirational we feel that is imperative to hear from all who are invested in Menno Place.  This means that we will be seeking out feedback from our residents, families, employees, as well as key external stakeholders and partners.  Over the 2024 year we will be holding open house forums, and holding space for conversations to gather feedback on Menno Place so that we can understand how we can best serve the needs of our residents, families, and staff while also being a valuable partner in our community. We are calling these Open House Forums “Listening for the Future”.

Once completed, the Executive Team will take the stakeholder feedback and undergo a two-day facilitated planning workshop to develop a new Draft strategic plan.  This Draft plan will then be circulated for feedback and finalized with the Board in November 2024.

Our hope is that our stakeholders will speak openly and clearly with us so that we can use this feedback to inform a new Strategic Framework and Operational Plan.

Sujata Connors, CEO
for the Menno Place Executive Team

Violence Prevention Workshop

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Learn practical applications to identify risk factors of violence and de-escalation techniques at a Violence Prevention Workshop on Monday January 15, 2024. Space is limited. Register soon!

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Interested in Caring for a Cat in Either Menno Home or Menno Hospital?

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Are you interested in supporting and caring for a cat in either Menno Home or Menno Hospital?

For years, Menno Home has enjoyed a shared cat, loved by residents, family and staff. This cat was cared for by a team in Menno Home, led by our former Manager of Dining Experience, Angela Ross-Fehr. With the loss of the cat and Angela’s retirement, we are looking for renewed interest from staff in order to continue this program in Menno Home and evaluate if there is interest at Menno Hospital.

The Cat Committee team will be responsible to oversee the cat therapy program, including providing all care for the cat and making recommendations about the cat as required.

If you are interested in supporting the cat program at Menno Home or Menno Hospital, please fill out the form below by January 31, 2024.

Fill out my online form.

Welcome to Kara – Food Service Supervisor!

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We are pleased to announce that Kara McIver has accepted a new role as Food Service Supervisor for Menno Place. This is a new MBS role that starts Jan 11th.

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Welcome to Laura – Housekeeping & Laundry Supervisor!

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We are pleased to announce that Laura Fast has accepted a new role as Housekeeping & Laundry Supervisor for Menno Place.

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Menno Hospital Transition from ARH Pharmacy to Apex Pharmacy

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Date: January 3, 2024
To: All Menno Place staff, residents, and Families
From: Smitha Varghese, Director of Care, Menno Hospital
Re: Menno Hospital pharmacy transition from ARH pharmacy to Apex pharmacy

We are pleased to announce that Apex Pharmacy will be our new pharmacy partner for Menno Hospital Long-term care beds. This change will commence on January 8th at 8am.  There is nothing that residents or their families need to do at this time. Menno Place will take care of all of the details.

Menno Place has a long-standing relationship with Apex at Menno Home and Terrace East Assisted Living. We have known Apex Pharmacy co-founders Elke and Jason for a very long time. They specialize in working with seniors and are well known in the community for their excellent services and wide range of products. We are excited about this expanded partnership!

This transition will provide opportunities to improve resident care and enhance staff experience. We will introduce new procedures like e-MAR (electronic medication administration record) and online medication incident form and will be able to have clinical pharmacist participation in our care conferences. We anticipate your cooperation and support during this process to ensure seamless transition and a successful partnership and collaboration.

Please feel free to reach out to me for any questions/further information regarding this transition.

Violence Prevention Workshop

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Learn practical applications to identify risk factors of violence and de-escalation techniques at a Violence Prevention Workshop on Monday January 15, 2024. Space is limited. Register soon!

Read more

Hymn Stories – January 2024

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January’s hymn is Trusting Jesus. This textually and musically simple expression of child-like trust in Jesus has met the daily spiritual needs of many of God’s people to the present time.

Click to listen.

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Expansion of Portfolio: Smitha Varghese, RN

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From: Pooja Mishra

To: Menno Place Team

Re: Expansion of Portfolio: Smitha Varghese as permanent Director of Care & Quality Improvement (QI), Hospital & Assisted Living (AL)

I am pleased to announce that Smitha Varghese has graciously accepted expansion of her portfolio with permanent addition of role of Director for Assisted Living effective Dec 22, 2023.

Smitha has been the Director of Care – Menno Hospital & Quality Improvement Lead since April 2019 and in July 2023 took on additional Interim Director responsibility for Assisted Living. In the past 6 months, Smitha has displayed strong leadership skills in stabilizing the care team, supporting the direct care supervisors while working closely with AL Clinical Leads at Fraser Health. Smitha brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role with her background in gerontological nursing and her experience as a seasoned leader in Long Term Care.

Smitha had worked as a Registered Nurse in acute care in India for 8 years before moving to Canada in 2011. She has then gained experience is both acute care and long-term care in Canada. Smitha has continued to build her educational competencies.  She has completed the Canadian Nurses Association certification in Gerontological Nursing and an advanced diploma in Gerontology and more recently obtained a Master’s degree in Health Leadership and Policy (Senior care) from UBC.

When not at work, Smitha spends quality time with her family. She also has a keen interest in Gardening and Cooking. Smitha wanted to share the following message about her expanded role:

“I am excited with this addition to my portfolio and I am looking forward  for the new challenges and opportunities. Thank you for trusting in my leadership. I hope we can work together to make Menno Place a better place for our seniors.