October 2020

Welcome to the Weinberg Campus newsletter, dedicated to sharing news
and information with employees, residents, families and special friends.
Message From The President

In previous newsletters I have written about how much I enjoy the variety of seasons we are lucky to enjoy here in Western New York. I know that autumn is the favorite of many. I must admit, it’s hard to beat the splendor of fall foliage and the taste of warm apple cider. I hope all of you are able to find ways to enjoy this wonderful time of year, even in the face of the limitations of the pandemic.

At the close of this edition of Weinberg News you’ll see that on October 3 I was interviewed for a WECK Radio podcast called “Senior Matters”. I hope you can take the time to listen to the interview.

I was so proud to have the opportunity to talk about Weinberg Campus. In describing everything we do here at Weinberg, I was struck again by the complete and varied array of services we provide for seniors in the Buffalo area. Every day we serve 750 residents on our campus and care for over 1,500 people in the community; from independent living to skilled nursing care, from physical therapy to rehab, from seniors who are vibrant and healthy to those suffering with dementia. As I said in the interview, we take great pride in being a community resource. We are always here for seniors and their families, and we are always willing to help.

I was also proud to describe our response to the pandemic and how our staff pulled together as a team and was very purposeful in controlling the virus. To this day, we maintain a focus on protecting our residents, their families, and our staff. And not only did we keep residents safe, we found many enjoyable ways to keep them engaged despite the limitations imposed by the virus. I could not be more proud of our dedicated staff.

Again, I hope you have time to listen to the podcast. Among other things, you’ll get to hear the host, Judge Penny Wolfgang, speak glowingly of her own experience as the family member of a Weinberg resident. It was great to hear her expression of praise and appreciation.

Something else impacted by the pandemic has been the timing of the New York State Department of Health’s review process of our sale to Elderwood. Not surprisingly, with the health department’s focus on the pandemic, reviews of applications like ours are taking longer than usual. Nonetheless, the health department remains supportive of our plans and the leadership of Elderwood is as eager and enthusiastic for the sale to occur as we are. We remain in constant contact with Elderwood and the health department and are doing all we can to move the process along. I continue to be excited about how the arrangement with Elderwood will ensure that the wonderful services Weinberg Campus has been providing for over 100 years will continue well into the future.

If you have questions or comments, I encourage you to reach out to any member of our leadership team, or contact me directly at (716) 639-3311 ext. 2468 or rmayer@weinbergcampus.org.

What's New
COVID-19 Update
We cannot let our guard down as we do our part to fight the virus.

We want to take this opportunity to remind you about the precautions we continue to take to keep our facilities clean while combating the virus. We'd like to introduce you to our Facilities Director, Carl Salemi, who is leading this effort. A Buffalo native, Carl comes to us from his most recent position as a Director of Facilities at a hospital in Pittsburgh. He has more than 20 years of experience as a facilities director, and is happy to be back at Weinberg Campus - we had the privilege of having him on staff over 17 years ago! We caught up with Carl, who shared with us the ways his team is keeping everyone safe on campus.

Tell us about your team's cleaning and disinfecting process at Weinberg Campus.

Carl Salemi: The Environmental Services (EVS) department has a UV light system which we use to sanitize rooms. UV Light is a technology that has been around for years and is a proven method of sanitizing. This technology is also used in many acute care hospitals, and Weinberg Campus is one of the few long-term care communities that has access to this level of sanitization. Weinberg Campus has also purchased a Storm 2 Pro Dual Pressure sprayer to help with sanitizing here on campus. The pressure sprayer can penetrate difficult areas beyond just surface cleaning. All EVS employees have received specialized training to use these technologies.
An EVS staff member uses the Solaris UV Disinfection machine to kill germs on hard to reach surfaces in seconds with proven pulsed UV light.
An EVS employee demonstrates how the team uses the Storm 2 Pro Dual Pressure sprayer to fight germs in the most difficult places.
What are you most proud of when you see all your team has done throughout the year to keep residents and staff safe on campus?

CS: The EVS staff has worked hard as a team to make sure all areas have been covered. Staff members have gone above and beyond to make sure the resident areas are kept clean and safe. Since coming back to Weinberg Campus, I've enjoyed working with everyone here and appreciate their dedication to keeping everyone safe.
Pictured Above: Weinberg Campus Facilities Director, Carl Salemi (far left), with our dedicated Environmental Services staff.

Why is it important to follow these safety measures and precautions?

CS: By following these measures, we've been able to control and prevent the spread of illness on our campus. I want to remind everybody to follow the safety precautions we have in place, and more importantly - wash your hands!

We want to say THANK YOU to our Environmental Services team for all you do to keep everyone safe!
Helpful Resources
Flu Season
As we enter flu season, we cannot stress how important it will be for everyone to do all they can to keep themselves and those around them as healthy as possible. Please consider getting flu shots for the whole family. Click this convenient link to locate a flu shot provider near you: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/flu-finder-widget.html

What to Do If You Are Sick
If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider.

Click here to view more steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

For more information about COVID-19 or visitation, please contact one of our communities directly or visit https://www.weinbergcampus.org/Coronavirus.aspx.
Sing Us a Song, Ruth!
If you’ve ever strolled the halls of Dosberg Manor, chances are you’ve met Ruth, and have been privileged to hear her play piano and sing for her fellow residents. Ruth has been a resident at Weinberg Campus since 2015 and is well known for her friendly personality and musical talents. She reminisces about her early childhood and her introduction to music.

“I learned to play the piano on my own – I didn’t want to be a pianist, I just loved to play! Sometimes I’d play at 2 a.m. just for fun. I also learned to play the accordion and used to take it everywhere I went. I enjoyed it very much!”
Ruth was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1929, right near the seashore. Throughout her childhood she was an active Scouts member, and at age 18, she proudly served in the Israeli Defense Force. She moved to the United States in 1951 and in the same year, married her husband, Irving. They were married for 68 years and had four beautiful daughters.

“I love my daughters,” said Ruth. “[They’ve] kept me young over the years – they know fashion, slang, and the latest trends – they’ve always kept me in check! I’m proud of them and their success – they’ve given me two granddaughters, and another is on the way!”
Ruth is not only known for her musical talents – she is very well known and respected as a teacher in the Jewish community. Over the years she was a prominent member of the Kadimah Day School staff, teaching children a myriad of subjects ranging from music, to speaking and writing in Hebrew, to Jewish education, to Bar and Bat Mitzvah trainings, and more. Simultaneously, Ruth also led teacher instruction seminars at the University of Buffalo and other venues. She was seen as a pioneer in the American Jewish community, helping to bring egalitarianism to the area.

“I thank God I could teach children,” said Ruth. “It’s such a great feeling knowing that your work can positively impact others.” 

With her lovely voice and extensive knowledge of Hebrew prayer, Ruth also served as High Holiday Cantor of Temple Emanu-El of Batavia, New York for many years. Her passion for connecting, understanding, and helping others are perhaps the most prominent qualities that set her apart from others. She loves teaching. She loves singing. She loves people.

When Ruth and Irving made Weinberg Campus their home in 2015, Ruth resided in Meadows while Irving lived at Dosberg Manor. Weinberg Campus’ continuum of care allowed the couple to see each other every day and share meals together, while allowing them to receive the individualized care they both required. When Irving passed a few years ago, Ruth eventually made Dosberg Manor her home.
Ruth and Irving in their early years.
Ruth and Irving at Weinberg Campus.
“Dosberg Manor is the best place for me – the staff takes great care of you,” said Ruth. “Here, you have your privacy and it’s very clean. The staff makes your life easier. I am very happy here.”

Next time you find yourself at Dosberg Manor, you may hear the angelic musical sound of a piano playing in the background. It’s likely that Ruth is sharing her passions with others, putting smiles on everyone’s faces.

Ruth turns 91 years young on October 27. 
Letters of Thanks
...from a family member of a Dosberg Manor resident
"The COVID-19 pandemic has, unfortunately, restricted us from seeing our mom at Weinberg Campus. Regardless, we are hopeful we can see our mom soon - see her room, and see her engaging in activities and with other residents. There have been two shining stars for us at Weinberg: Anna Jacobi and Dana Zientara. Anna and Dana helped make my mother's transition to Weinberg seamless. Dana has been readily attentive to our mom's needs, and is always responsive and accommodating. We've put our trust in her during this difficult time - and she always delivers!"
...from a family member of a Rosa Coplon resident
"Even though my mother's stay was brief, I was very pleased with her experience. The communication was so well done - the staff did a great job. In an uncomfortable time and situation, the staff at Rosa Coplon Living Center made it a comfortable experience for her."
September Activities
We're staying active with a variety of safe activities that incorporate social distancing and individual participation. Check out our activities calendars online. Click the links below or visit: www.weinbergcampus.org/News-Events/Activities-Calendar.aspx.

Photo Gallery
Pictured Above: Weinberg Campus residents and staff celebrated "National Assisted Living Week" last month, complete with a parade, activities, and lots of tasty treats!

Pictured Below: Every day there is something new to keep our residents engaged, whether it be watering the flowers, getting fresh air outside, enjoying a socially distant visit from our friend, Rabbi Alex, or reading a great book.
Staff Feature: Arushanda Artis
Movin' On Up!
Weinberg Campus is a great place to grow your career - there are so many opportunities for upward mobility! We'd like to take the opportunity to highlight Arushanda Artis, a former Home Health Aide (HHA) who has recently been promoted to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). We caught up with Arushanda to learn more about her.
Arushanda is a working adult student who is also a family-oriented mother, who likes to have fun and travel. She has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Canisius College, and a license of practical nursing from Trocaire College, where she is currently a student in her third semester of an RN program. She has worked at Weinberg Campus for just over three years. When she wanted to pursue a new role, Weinberg Campus worked with her to adjust her work schedule so she could go to school to acquire the additional education requirements needed to move up in the organization.

"I am excited about my new role because I am still able to be a caregiver, only I can take care of residents in a different way," said Arushanda.

Arushanda wants to offer some words of wisdom to colleagues who aspire to move up the career ladder at Weinberg Campus:

"Just do it! If you feel you want to move up, apply for the job! If it requires additional education, go back to school and get that degree, certificate, or additional training. It is never too late!"

Could this be you in the future? Visit our website to learn more about career opportunities at Weinberg Campus: https://weinbergcampus.recruitpro.com/jobs/
New Employees September 2020
Brennan Costello, Activities Assistant, Garden House
Michelle Daddario, Community Health Care RN, Home Care
Kenya Hooks, PCA, Dosberg Manor
Felicia Horton, CNA, Rosa Coplon Living Center
Kandesha Kemp, Food Service Worker
Vitaliy Kushnir, Food Service Worker
Shaterika Metts, Housekeeper
Goldie Myree, Food Service Worker
Jennifer Mzili, CNA, Rosa Coplon Living Center
Brittany Roland, Food Service Worker
Tiarra Scott, CNA, Rosa Coplon Living Center
Sara Sprague, Food Service Worker
Anthony Teresi, Food Service Worker
Maria Wilkins, RN Supervisor, Rosa Coplon Living Center
Hats Off, HR Team!
Our Human Resources team hosted a virtual hiring event this week on Zoom, garnering much interest from the broader healthcare community. Our team successfully interviewed 13 candidates for a variety of roles on campus. We're excited to grow our team!
High Five Award Winners
We want to congratulate this quarter’s High Five Award winners! The Weinberg Campus High Five Award honors employees who demonstrate exemplary customer service, teamwork and collaboration, innovation, initiative, or integrity. Residents, staff, family members and visitors are always welcome to submit a nomination to the HR office. Up to four winners are selected quarterly. Let's meet this quarter's winners!
Charlene Strong, HHA, Garden House
Charlene was nominated by resident family member, Jackie, who says, "Charlene engages the clients. She does their nails, talks to them, cares about them. Most of all, she makes my mom beautiful by taking her time to style her hair whenever she can. My sister and I truly appreciate this very kind gesture. Thank you, Charlene!" Congrats!
Jouhna Wyatt, Housekeeper
Jouhna was nominated by Mark Herod of Sodexo. Mark says Jouhna exhibits excellent customer service, exceeding daily expectations of her role. She works together with others to solve problems and shows initiative without being asked. She can often be found completing tasks outside of her role. She says, "It's about the residents." An award well deserved. Congrats, Jouhna!
Lori Magee, Unit Nurse Supervisor, RN, Rosa Coplon Living Center
Lori was nominated by Heather Martindale, RN, MSN, who says: "Lori goes above and beyond every day. She is very involved with her families/residents and she treats them as part of her own family. She always wants to help wherever she can even when she isn’t asked for help. She exhibits all the values and the mission of Weinberg Campus. We should all strive to be like Lori." We couldn't agree more!
Holly Steeg, Assistant Administrator, Forest Creek
Holly is a wonderful manager in Forest Creek. She always makes time for her tenant, even if it means staying here late (most times until 9). She is kind and patient and has a heart of gold. We're happy to have you on our team, Holly!
Grithly Davis, PCA, Dosberg Manor
Grithly was nominated by Dosberg Manor resident, Virginia. Virginia says, "Grithly is kind and pleasant to all residents, coworkers and takes time to talk and listen to residents having communication problems. She is truly a dedicated staff member of this facility and I am thankful for her loving care and concern. She is a blessing!" We're lucky to have you on the team, Grithly!
Weinberg Campus on WECK Radio!
Over the weekend our very own President and CEO, Bob Mayer, was interviewed by Judge Penny Wolfgang on WECK Radio's "Senior Matters" show. Check it out!