Insights

Stacy Syrek, LPN, has been a nurse at Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center for nearly 20 years.  “I know how important it is to provide continuity of care and to be that familiar face for our residents,” says Stacey. “Building relationships and having that rapport with older adults and their families is all that

An important update from Steve Fetyko, President and CEO: Over our more than 160 years of combined experience, UMRC and Porter Hills has always focused on the health and well-being of those we are privileged to serve. Providing a safe, healthy and nurturing environment is our top priority. I am grateful for this

Hazel Mead has been enriching the lives of older adults for over 23 years.  She began her career as a CNA, and later joined the therapy department, before becoming a volunteer coordinator.  Currently, Hazel serves as the Life Enrichment coordinator for Independent Living where she has found her true calling. When asked her

Virginia Lewis’ heart is in caring for others, which she has done at UMRC for the last 39 years. “Virginia has a really big heart, and she shows it every day!” says UMRC Housekeeping/Laundry Supervisor, Lorina Hawley. Virginia has served older adults all over campus, as both a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and

If you are like most people, you feel cold every now and then during the winter. What you may not know is that just being really cold can make you very sick.  Older adults can lose body heat fast, father than when they were young. Changes in your body that come with aging can

Rev. John and his wife, Karol, have a passion for trains. For John, it started with the first Lionel train he shared with his brother as kids. In the 1960s, he gave his son a train set and later bought two train sets for $40 at a garage sale. However, as a Lutheran pastor

Musical roots run deep in Chelsea Retirement Community resident Lillian Livingston’s family. Lillian’s mother was an opera singer in Vienna, Austria. Lillian is a retired piano faculty member from Rider University’s Westminster Choir College in New Jersey, located on the Princeton campus, where she taught for 39 years. Many of her students won competitions

Chelsea Retirement Community resident Earl Avery started his career in education as a science teacher in 1961.  However, his student-focused approach led him to wonder, ‘What were their barriers to learning?’  “I had the opportunity to take some counseling classes and got really excited,” explains Earl.  He became a certified guidance counselor in

Caregiving comes naturally for Cassie Lockwood, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (Kresge Center). The oldest of seven, including the youngest who has Down syndrome, Cassie says, “Taking care of my siblings has made me appreciate and love helping people.” Cassie believes it is important to set a good

Women had not yet been given the right to vote when Estelle Jargello Novak was born on June 3, 1919 to Polish immigrant parents in Detroit.  Still, during World War II, Estelle helped blaze an inspiring path for women’s service in the military.Eager to do her part, Estelle served as a member of the

Moriah Gumbert says she’s always been a “rule follower.” That’s why her role as the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) Compliance Coordinator at Thome PACE in Jackson is perfect for her. Moriah prepares documentation for each participant, keeps track of reporting and assessments, and ensures that all regulations are met for state and federal audits. “Some

Rev. Jim Maxwell is a retired minister who served St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ferndale from 1979 to 2004. His wife, Mardi is a retired social worker. Jim’s jogging buddy, a Methodist pastor, had mentioned UMRC to Jim. When a neuromuscular disease limited Jim’s mobility, he and Mardi decided to check it out. They