Newsroom

Director of Nursing – Commitment to Caring Award, Young Adult Volunteer, Innovative Care Award, and Honorable Mention

MISSOULA, Mont. (April 1, 2015) – The Village Health Care Center, a senior living community managed by The Goodman Group, is proud to announce that it has been recognized with four awards from the Montana Health Care Association. Melissa Bestram received the “Director of Nursing, MHCA 2015 Commitment to Caring Award,” Dalton Peaslee was selected “Young Adult Volunteer” of the year, FIT to be Strong^™ received the “Innovative Care Award,” and lastly, the senior living community’s “Curtain Call” theatre program received an honorable mention in the Innovative Care category.

“Every day as staff of The Village Health Care Center we feel valued in our work because of the exceptional care, comfort and well-being we provide for our residents,” said Kathy Hammond, executive director at The Village Health Care Center. “To be recognized with four awards from the Montana Health Care Association is truly an honor.”

Bestram, Peaslee, and the FIT to be Strong^™ and “Curtain Call” programs will be recognized during the Montana Health Care Association’s 2015 Midyear Convention on March 31 at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel in Helena, Mont. The winners will be honored at the awards banquet.

Melissa Bestram: “Director of Nursing, Commitment to Caring Award” Recipient

This award recognizes a nurse that is outstanding in the industry and not only excels in all professional aspects of the job, including leading innovative quality care, managing customer service issues, and demonstrating effective communications and interpersonal skills with staff, residents, physicians, families and the community, but also shows great commitment and caring for others. Executive Director Kathy Hammond notes that Melissa is a highly engaged leader who contributes to the high level of care and quality of life of the residents. Melissa is the backbone of the nursing department and delivers service from the heart. She builds strong, trusted relationships with the nursing staff. They follow her lead and direction and do their best to enrich the residents’ lives and meet their overall needs. She is an advocate for long term care in the community, working closely with the University of Montana Missoula College by attending quarterly meetings, participating on panels to interview students who are ready to enter the nursing program and providing orientation for visiting nursing students.

Dalton Peaslee: “Young Volunteer Award” Recipient

Peaslee’s volunteer work at The Village Health Care Center is dedicated to the Pearl Garden community and assists the Life Enrichment team with group activities, conducts one-on-one social visits with residents, and supports the FIT Functional Fitness^™ program. Pearls of Life^® is a personalized, national memory program developed by The Goodman Group which recognizes the value of each individual. He is a pre-medical student at the University of Montana.

“I am very excited to be selected as the ‘Young Adult Volunteer of the Year’ by the MHCA,” said Peaslee. “I want to thank The Village Health Care Center for giving me the opportunity to volunteer and work with the residents. It has given me invaluable experience in the medical field and will help me succeed in my future career.”

FIT to be Strong^™: “Innovative Care Award” Recipient

“The Innovative Care Award” is designed to recognize facilities that have implemented outstanding programs that promote resident autonomy and independence. FIT to be Strong incorporates strength building and balance exercises using arm and leg weights to improve core strength and help reduce falls and injuries so residents can stay active, mobile and independent. “The FIT to Be Strong program has helped residents stay active and benefit from healthier lifestyles, and increased their self-confidence and provides opportunities for social interactions. Our entire Life Enrichment team has worked hand in hand to make the program a success.”

Curtain Call: “Innovative Care Award” Honorable Mention Recipient

Three times a year, residents and staff work with Art Age Senior Theatre Resource Center, which helps older adult performers fulfill their theatrical dreams and provides opportunities to develop relationships with others. Residents meet weekly for three to four months to practice. This program encourages residents to become socially active, while simultaneously promoting residents’ autonomy and independence. Months of practice and rehearsal culminate in a live performance put on for residents, guests and staff. Residents have said of the program, “We like to get away from the regular routine. The plays are exciting for all of us!”

Resident (right) participating in “Curtain Call” with Life Enrichment staff member

Dalton Peaslee with residents of The Village Health Care Center

Back to newsroom