|
|
|
|
|
|
Emergency Flood Protection Measures
Approved for MI Nursing/Restorative Center
January 8, 2007
Mary Immaculate officials have approved temporary, emergency flood protection measures recommended by its engineering firm of Metcalf & Eddy. After obtaining flood elevations, site surveys and the flood certificate prepared at the request of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Association (MEMA), flood engineers at Metcalf & Eddy reviewed several alternatives for the provision of temporary, emergency flood protection at the nursing center while work is ongoing to permanently floodproof the facility.
These measures are expected to be in place by the spring of 2007. The Board of Directors has also authorized a special committee to negotiate and sign a contract with Metcalf & Eddy to review alternatives for design of permanent flood protection for the nursing center. It is expected that this contract will be ready for signatures in late January. Administration is now focused on refining disaster preparedness protocols to be used in conjunction with the new flood protection measures.
Another focus of administration is the continued repopulating of the facility. The sixth and final nursing unit is now open and is filling at a steady pace. “Today, our census is 207 as we climb toward our budgeted operating capacity”, said Stewart Goff, Administrator.
Barbara Grant, President/CEO of Mary Immaculate Health/Care Services, says that the steady but gradual pace of re-growth has been good for both the staff and residents. “We have welcomed a lot of residents who are new to us and it is great that the staff has had the extra time to spend with residents, getting to know each one’s particular needs and likes and making each resident feel welcome. We have also taken advantage of bed availability to redecorate the Alzheimer’s special care unit,” says Grant. Grant noted that the design has been reviewed with and blessed by noted Alzheimer specialist, Dr. Paul Raia.
Administration officials are now expecting to attain full budgeted census at the nursing center within the first few months of 2007. In the meantime, they are moving forward with many new initiatives to improve resident care, including program initiatives in dementia care and palliative care which are being made possible through several grants which have recently been received.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MI Nursing and Restorative Center
On the Mend
November 19, 2006
Just eight weeks after re-opening in mid-September, five of the six nursing units at the MI Nursing/Restorative Center are bustling with staff and residents. In fact, 193 residents are in the house. Most of these (160+) are “returnees” who couldn’t wait to get home after their four month stay in other facilities. The others are brand new to the facility and glad that MI is back on its feet and able to care for them.
“We will be seeking to open the final nursing unit very soon”, says Stewart Goff, Administrator. “Once that unit is open, we can accept new residents up to our full complement of 250”, says Goff.
The last few months of this year will be dedicated to re-building census, adding in the last few staff positions that have been on hold and marking the New Year with a full house. The staff have been busy establishing comfortable routines for each of the residents, re-acquainting themselves with those who returned and getting to know the newest additions.
Some time out has been taken to accept several awards that have been bestowed upon the leadership and staff for their remarkable efforts during this most difficult time. MassAging, a statewide provider organization representing not-for-profit eldercare organizations awarded the staff of the nursing center its “Community Spirit” award. The Mass Extended Care Federation awarded “The Better Life Award” to the staff in recognition of their heroic efforts to maintain the safety, dignity and well-being of residents during extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Finally, President/CEO Barbara Grant and the senior leadership team of Lori Barrett, Stewart Goff, Kathy Callahan, Kristine DiFiore and Paul Ercolini were awarded the “St. Marguerite d’Youville Humanitarian Award” by the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, Grey Nuns, at a special ceremony in October.
“Each of these awards has special meaning to us and we are deeply honored and humbled to accept them in the name of the superb staff of the MI Nursing/Restorative Center”, says Barbara Grant, President/CEO. “We simply did what had to be done to protect our residents, to honor our employees and to bring the building back to life so that everyone in our family could come home”, says Grant. “It was not in our minds that we might receive awards for doing this, but we do appreciate this recognition. Right now, though, our singular focus is on restoring the facility to full operating strength and recovering fully from the flood event.”
|
|
Residents Return Home after Flood Damages Facility
MI Nursing and Restorative Center Re-Opens
The Lawrence community remembers the floods in May as being of historic proportions. None were affected as severely as the residents and staff of the Mary Immaculate Nursing and Restorative Center. When the Spicket River crested, the overflow waters poured into the basement and first floor of the nursing center, forcing the evacuation of all 244 residents. The aftermath of the flood involved the relocation of these frail elders and the commitment to rebuild the facility.
Eighteen weeks after the catastrophic disaster, the MI Nursing/Restorative Center re-opened, bringing residents back home beginning September 18th. “The reconstruction process has been difficult,” says Barbara Grant, President and CEO of Mary Immaculate Health/Care Services. “But when we see the expressions on the faces of our staff and residents as they move back into the building, we know that it was all worthwhile.”
“This project has been fast-tracked from the very beginning, because we knew how important this facility is to people in the Greater Lawrence area,” Grant continues. “Many people were driving long distances to visit their loved ones over the summer, and residents were without the familiar faces of staff and residents they knew well. We knew it was important to bring residents back to MI. Within days of the disaster, we made the decision to keep our staff on payroll with benefits during the reconstruction period. This meant that as soon as the construction crews were finished, we could re-open and bring our family back home.”
Residents will be moving back into the MI Nursing/Restorative center over time, settling in and reconnecting with friends and families. “We are truly grateful for the support we have received from the community in our rebuilding efforts,” says Grant. “The next few weeks will be dedicated to establishing a comfortable routine for residents and staff. We also will be continuing to fundraise to close the $2.5 million un-reimbursed expenses from the flood.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We are on target for September re-opening!
The Journey Home:
A Progess Update
August 25, 2006
Three months have passed since the flooding, and our reconstruction process is coming to a close. We are hanging wallpaper, laying carpets and testing our new electrical systems. Our staff is busy working on details to be sure that when our residents move back home, they will be comfortable and happy. As each day passes, the excitement grows. We can’t wait to re-open our doors and welcome everyone home!
The next step in the process involves securing the final inspections and approvals on the reconstruction from oversight agencies such as the City of Lawrence and Department of Public Health. We are very hopeful that we will receive the approvals we need around Labor Day and will be able to move residents back into Mary Immaculate beginning the first week of September.
If you have questions about the readmission process, or if you did not receive the readmission information, please contact Marie Garceau or Nancy Fallon at 978-685-6321.
We have been shown tremendous support by the community, and are especially grateful for all donations to the Clean-Up Fund. We are nearing our goal of restoring this vital resource to the Greater Lawrence community and are truly grateful to all who have helped in this effort. That we are able to return to operation in just 14 weeks is a testament to the wonderful support we have received from so many people. We thank you on behalf of our residents and our employees.
|
 |
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
MARY IMMACULATE HEALTH/CARE SERVICES. WHERE PATIENTS COME FIRST
It has been said that nursing homes can be terrible places. The staff of Mary Immaculate Health/Care Services in Lawrence has proved this concept wrong.
On Tuesday, May 16, 2006 the MI Nursing/Restorative Center had to evacuate 244 residents when the Spicket River overflowed sending water into the basement and filling up the first floor. When the first shift reported for work, it was raining, hard. By 7:l5 a.m., it became necessary to evacuate. Staff members began running through knee deep water and climbing through windows to get to “their residents.” Some helped carry frail elders down flights of stairs. Others made certain “their residents” were bathed, had clean clothes, were fed, had their medications and had “snacks for the road” when it was time for them to leave for drier ground.
In the background however, drifted strains of “Row, row, row your boat” sung by staff members to ease the residents’ anxiety as they were transported in waterproof laundry bins to keep them dry. Many employees left their own flooded residences to go to the hospitals where residents were being transferred. They wanted those being displaced to see a familiar face when they arrived so they wouldn’t be frightened. The last of 244 residents was safely evacuated by 4:40 p.m. that same day. Many of our employees stayed up all night to ensure that “their residents” were comfortable, and to be sure that their families were all contacted.
IMPACT OF THE FLOOD
- An estimated 2.2 million gallons of water flooded the basement and first floor of the Nursing/Restorative Center damaging the mechanical systems, kitchen, laundry, dining room, and administrative offices – but no resident living areas.
- Most importantly, all residents that were displaced by the flooding were safely placed in 58 facilities as far south as Braintree, as far west as Worcester and as far east as Gloucester.
- MIHCS is one of the largest employers in the area, and the flood caused personal damage for many of our employees. To lessen the financial impact to the region, we are committed to providing employment stability for our staff during the restoration process.
- A nationally renowned specialty contractor has been hired to provide environmental evaluation and remediation, emergency response, document restoration, inventory reduction, and sanitation. Build-out and construction will follow.
Mary Immaculate is now dedicated and focused on restoring the Nursing facility and continuing to be a resource to our community. The estimated costs of this project exceed $5 million. Flood insurance and governmental assistance is limited.
If you would like to support our efforts, your donation may be sent to the MIMGT Clean-Up Fund, c/o Sovereign Bank, 296 Essex Street, Lawrence, MA 01841. Attn: Cathy Pierce.
If you would like to learn more about the flood and how you can help, please contact Linda Thomson at
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We are working hard to rebuild our Nursing/Restorative Center and to bring our residents home. Check this column often to track our progress
The Journey Home:
A Progess Update
June 23, 2006
A month has passed since the devastating floods that caused such significant destruction to the MI Nursing/Restorative Center. We are pleased to report that considerable progress has been made in the clean-up and recovery process.
We were fortunate to secure the services of LVI, a specialty contractor that provided similar assistance to over 300 sites after Hurricane Katrina. LVI has spearheaded the initial sanitation and clean-up. They have also coordinated the document restoration effort, and we believe that we were able to save nearly 90% of the documents ruined by the flood. LVI has completed their work on the first floor and is now focusing on the basement.
The next phase includes reconstruction of the damaged areas of the facility. New England Design of Worcester has been retained as the general contractor, and Leslie Saul Associates of Cambridge is coordinating the interior design work.
The MI administrative team has set up temporary offices in the Main Street area of the Residential building. Telephone and email service has been restored, making communication with the public and families much easier.
The Board of Directors has assured our staff that their jobs are secure, and all have remained on the payroll with benefits during this reconstruction period. Some MI staff have been temporarily contracted to work for other healthcare partner organizations providing vacation coverage during the summer months. Others are working at other MI companies, or on the upper floors of the Nursing/Restorative Center cleaning and organizing the resident areas.
Many of the social service and chaplaincy staff have made visits to our residents who are currently scattered at 58 facilities in 30 communities throughout the state. The sight of familiar faces has lifted the spirits of all concerned.
We are committed to bringing the Nursing/Restorative Center back to full operating capacity as soon as possible. Our staff, our residents, and our families want to be reunited, a goal we hope to achieve by mid-August.
If you would like to help in the rebuilding effort, please send your gift to:
MIMGT Clean-Up Fund
c/o Sovereign Bank
296 Essex Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
att: Cathy Pierce
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2006
Mary Immaculate Employees Learn Jobs Are Secure
LAWRENCE (MA): Today, the Mary Immaculate staff was reunited as a group for the first time following last week’s devastating flood. The staff meeting was held not only to allow staff members to reconnect with their colleagues, but also to share important news about the future of the Nursing/Restorative Center.
Barbara Grant, President and CEO of Mary Immaculate Health/Care Services (MIHCS) made perhaps the most welcome announcement. She reported that the MIHCS Board of Directors had voted to retain all 267 staff on payroll with benefits for the estimated 60-90 day recovery period. She indicated that in order to be paid during this recovery period, all employees would be expected to be available to work during their regularly scheduled shifts. “Many of you will be able to perform the jobs you were originally hired to do. Some of you may be asked to do similar jobs at other MI companies, and some of you may be asked to care for our residents at community healthcare partners. The main thing is that we will be able to continue your employment with Mary Immaculate during this rebuilding process so that you will be ready to resume your normal duties when we re-open.”
“Our Board of Directors recognizes and truly values the outstanding service and dedication our employees displayed during the evacuation process,” said Grant. “This commitment is a tangible demonstration of our appreciation of their incredible efforts on behalf of our residents and their families. At every turn, our employees have reached out to support our residents - often staying for them instead of coping with the effects of the flood at their own homes. It’s wonderful now to be able to offer some measure of stability to our staff and their families.”
Employees greeted this news with cheers, tears, and a standing ovation. “This is incredible,” said April Marchessault, a nurse at Mary Immaculate for two years. “The company is going above and beyond anything we expected. They are truly treating us like family.”
Stewart Goff, administrator of the Nursing/Restorative Center provided the group with an update of the rebuilding effort to date. He reported that:
- All residents that were displaced by the flooding have been placed in 58 facilities as far south as Braintree, as far west as Worcester and as far east as Gloucester.
- LVI Environmental Services has been hired to provide clean up services. LVI is the largest specialty contractor of this type, and provided similar services to over 300 sites after Hurricane Katrina including several hospitals and medical facilities. They are contracted to work at Mary Immaculate for 21 days. During this time, they will be providing environmental evaluation and remediation, emergency response, document restoration, inventory reduction, and sanitation. They will also help with pack-out - the packing up of articles, labeling of boxes, etc. so that items can be returned when the site is ready to re-open.
- LVI began work on Saturday, May 20. At this point, they have determined that the flooding was confined to the basement and first floor of the Nursing/Restorative Center. The areas most heavily impacted were the mechanical room, administrative offices, kitchen, laundry, and dining room, but no resident living areas. The upper floors have been sealed off, pressurized for humidity control and "clean" access is being established. Very soon, the MIHCS staff will begin their work packing resident belongings to return to families.
- At this time, MIHCS estimates that after LVI finishes their work, there will need to be an estimated 4-5 week period for build out and construction.
- Cost estimates for the damages are being finalized at this time, but conservative estimates place the expenses in the range of several million dollars. Insurance reimbursement for the flood damage is limited.
Grant concluded the meeting by expressing her personal gratitude to the staff for their hard work and patience. She indicated that many community members have volunteered assistance and support. “At this time,” she said, “our goal is to return this facility to operating capacity as quickly as possible so that we may continue our mission of providing much needed services to frail elders in our community. Working together, I am confident that we will be successful in bringing both staff and residents back to Mary Immaculate, back home.”
If you would like to help, please send your gift to:
MIMGT Clean-Up Fund
c/o Sovereign Bank
296 Essex Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
att: Cathy Pierce
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nursing/Restorative Center Evacuates Successfully
Clean-Up Process Begins
(LAWRENCE, Mass) Two hundred and forty three residents of Mary Immaculate Nursing/Restorative Center in Lawrence were safely evacuated to local hospitals and nursing homes by early Tuesday evening due to the flooding of the Spicket River.
“The evacuation of our residents went smoothly and was executed with great dignity,” said Barbara Grant, president/CEO. “We assigned MI staff members to facilities where residents were transferred in order to help allay their fears. Our staff made certain that medications, records and clothing accompanied each resident By 9:00 p.m. all family members and loved ones had been contacted and knew where each was placed.”
The first nursing home resident was evacuated at 8:l5 a.m. and the last was transferred by 4:40p.m. “This is a testament to the professionalism of everyone involved,” said Grant. “We are extremely grateful to the following hospitals for their help, including Holy Family, Lawrence General, Lowell General, Saints Memorial, Tewksbury Hospital, Merrimack Valley Hospital and Anna Jaques Hospital. We are also grateful for all the elder care facilities who have called offering our residents placement. Our goal is to have all of the residents placed in a nursing facility by Friday afternoon. We have been and will continue to be in touch with family members as to placement.
“At this point we are assessing the extent of the damage. Once we can access all parts of the building, we can make an informed decision as to how long it will take to repair the damage and ensure that we have a safe environment for our skilled nursing residents to return.”
Ms. Grant stressed that the flooding only affected the MI Nursing/Restorative Center. All residents at the MI Residential Community and Assisted Living campus are fine. The Adult Day Health Center and MI Transportation are also operational. “We don’t have computers or our regular phone service, but we have set up a temporary call center until we can get our service restored.” Our temporary numbers are:
978-569-5011
978-569-0105
978-569-0106
For answers to your questions or to address any concerns the lines will be available 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All MI employees should pick up their pay checks this Thursday and next Thursday between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the MI Residential Community business office, 189 Maple Street. Positive identification will be required.
The Governor, Mayor, State Senator Sue Tucker and other officials viewed the damage. Ms. Grant express to each that Mary Immaculate would need all the assistance their respective offices could offer.
“We are grateful to so many for their support, but especially family members. It means a great deal to our staff,” said Ms. Grant. “We have been overwhelmed by the offers of help from the community.”
If you would like to support and help Mary Immaculate, your donation may be sent to the MIMGT Clean-Up Fund, c/o Sovereign Bank, 296 Essex Street, Lawrence, MA 01841. Attn: Cathy Pierce.
|
|
TO: All the MIHCS Staff
From: Barbara Grant, President and Chief Executive Officer
The recent floods have caused such destruction to our facility and community, it seems overwhelming. Yet, I have never been as proud to be part of the Mary Immaculate family as I am today. Your effort in our evacuation process has been quite simply, incredible. The evacuation was orderly and calm, and it is a tribute to you that every single one of our residents is safe and secure. As you know, more than 240 residents were evacuated. Our first resident left the building at 8:15AM and the last one at 4:40PM. This would not have been possible without your dedication, love and determination.
The days ahead will be filled with challenges as we begin the recovery process. I want you to know however, that your professionalism and dedication has made a tremendous difference in the lives of our residents during this time of crisis.
I know that many of you are facing your own difficulties at home and I wish only the best for you and your families. Please accept my personal thanks for all your efforts on behalf of Mary Immaculate. In the days ahead, we will be communicating directly with you as our recovery plans and your role in them become firm. On behalf of the Board and Administration, thank you.
God bless,
Barbara Grant
How to help ?
Your donation may be sent to:
MIMGT Clean-Up Fund
c/o Sovereign Bank
296 Essex Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
Attn: Cathy Pierce
|
|
|
