Pleasantview Home 811 Third Street Kalona, IA 52247 319.656.2421 www.pvhome.org recep@pvhome.org facebook.com/pvhome

Miller leaves front desk after 30-plus years

Living life to the fullest

Pleasantview is excited to announce that Carmen Fer-

nau, RN, BSN has completed work to be certified through

American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination

(AANAC). Carmen is the Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coor-

dinator at Pleasantview.

“RAC-CT certification is nationally recognized as the

gold standard in assessment for the skilled and long-term

care nursing profession. To earn this certification, Carmen

had to complete 10 courses and an exam on each course,”

(continued on page 2)

Parting is such sweet sorrow -- words from Wil-

liam Shakespeare.

After a fantastic career at Pleasantview -- working

in a few different roles – Mary Helen Miller decided

to retire from her position as receptionist in Decem-

ber. Miller started at Pleasantview as a nursing assis-

tant and eventually also worked as a certified medi-

cation aid before starting her final job as receptionist.

“Mary Helen Miller was a kind, smiling presence

at our front desk for many years. She made everyone

feel welcome, including my parents,” said Pleas-

antview Executive Director David Heusinkveld. “On

behalf of them and all of Pleasantview I say thanks.

We will miss her.”

Pleasantview held a farewell celebration to honor

Mary and her many years of service. During the cele-

bration Mary Helen was pleasantly surprised as vari-

ous members of her family showed up to take part in

the festivities, including her children and grandchil-

dren. Pleasantview staff, residents, and some former

staff also took part in congratulating Miller on a job

well done.

“She was a dedicated part of our team and a hard worker,” added Administrator Nick Jedlicka. “She was a great fit at the front desk because of her knowledge and experience working at Pleasantview.”

Fernau receives certification through AANAC

Darlene Logan and Mary Helen Miller enjoying a nice time at Mary’s fare-

well party.

Page 2 The View

(continued from page 1)

Surly’s 20 years highlight PV staff recognition Pleasantview recently recognized several staff mem-

bers for their years of service. This is done at five-year

intervals throughout an employee’s time working at PV.

Pleasantview is blessed with many long-term employees.

One of those people is Rick Surly, who serves as the Di-

rector of Dining Services. Rick has been employed at

Pleasantview for 20 years. He has done a fine job leading

the dietary department and he has a wonderful team of

staff members. Rick received a 20-years-of-service pin

which was presented by Nick Jedlicka, Pleasantview’s

Administrator.

“We are fortunate to have somebody as dedicated as

Rick,” said Jedlicka.

Rick also served in the military as a member of the US

Army. For part of his career he was the driver of a large

tank that rescued other tanks stranded out in the field dur-

ing training. He also did a bit of cooking for the Army,

which prepared him for his future role at Pleasantview.

Other staff recognized for their years of service: Laura

Ropp, Teresa Miller, Natalie Yutzy, Natasha Rost, Steph-

anie Thompson, Laticia Robinson and Rosanna Stutzman

(5 years, nursing department); Leon Stutzman (10 years,

nursing department); Terry Craig (15 years, nursing de-

partment); Bobby Dawson (5 years, dietary department)

and Linda Marner (5 years, receptionist).

“We appreciate all our staff and the work that they do

to enrich the lives of the residents that live at Pleas-

antview,” said Jedlicka.

said Amy Skelton, Pleasantview Director of Nursing.

Fernau has been employed at Pleasantview for nearly

two years.

“I am grateful for the opportunity that PV has given me

to serve our residents,” said Carmen. “This certification is

a huge accomplishment and I hope to use the knowledge

I’ve gained to better serve our residents and help PV be

even better in all we do!”

Carmen also works at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

(NICU) at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

(UIHC). Her work at the hospital has served her well in

her role at Pleasantview, as she has gone from working

with very young people to the most aged portion of our

population.

“Carmen has shown an expertise in a variety of skilled

nursing areas from care planning and functional assess-

ments to minimum data set (MDS 3.0) assessments, Medi-

care coding and quality measures, just to name a few,”

added Skelton. “MDS nursing is a complicated, detail-

oriented position that takes a highly skilled registered

nurse. The certification takes it to the level of expert. I am

so proud of Carmen’s hard work and dedication and

thrilled she is at Pleasantview!”

Tracking and recording health data for residents is a

very important part of what has to be done to provide ex-

cellent care to the people who live at Pleasantview. Car-

men does a great job with coordinating the MDS; she has

excellent attention to detail and follows through very well.

“What a great achievement for Carmen,” said Pleas-

antview Administrator Nick Jedlicka. “We are very happy

for Carmen and we feel lucky to have her as a part of the

Pleasantview team!”

Fernau receives certification through AANAC

Laticia Robinson and Amy Skelton Leon Stutzman and Terry Craig Stephanie Thompson

What does it mean to have a chaplaincy program at

Pleasantview? What does that involve and who runs it?

One must go back to the early years of Pleasantview

to find when the program began, and no one seems to be

certain of its origins.

Some remember Morris Swartzendruber as a chaplain

in the 1970s. Later it was Elton Nussbaum, David L.

Yoder and Dianne Springer Brenneman. Currently John

King serves in the role, though he is in the process of re-

tiring early this spring. Brenneman also retired last fall.

Most chaplains in Pleasantview’s history have had

ministerial training; all share the characteristics of love,

care, compassion and understanding that is required.

But what does the chaplain do? Let’s begin by taking

a look at the weekly schedule; one can correctly assume

that the chaplain has direct involvement in setting up and/

or administering the various activities.

There are two Sunday services, (9:30 am and 5:00

pm). A Bible study and devotional time take place on

Tuesday. There’s another Bible study on Wednesday

morning and a ‘Fun Night’ that evening. Mass is served

each Thursday and a religious service on Saturday.

Monthly memorial services are organized by the chap-

lain, as well as an annual candle-lighting service to re-

member deceased residents from the previous year. Add

two yearly communion services into the mix, and it’s

easy to see where the chaplain might spend his or her

time.

And those are just the organized events!

As anyone involved in pastoral work knows, a careful-

ly planned schedule might fall by the wayside at a mo-

ment’s notice. Flexibility is key in a nursing home set-

ting; specific needs or emergency situations can occur

quickly.

Stop-in visits are also important, and King estimates

that he has spent at least a bit of time with each and every

resident. “I try to do that,” he said. “If it’s not 100% of

them, it’s very close.

“Most are very receptive to a visit from the chaplain,”

he continued. “I’ve had some interesting conversations

with the residents, particularly when it comes to end-of-

life chats. Many folks share some of their innermost

thoughts at that point in their life experience.”

King has been at Pleasantview for 11 years, the past

six or seven as chaplain. He is thankful for his time at PV

and will greatly “miss the people – residents and staff

alike.”

A Pennsylvania native who came to Iowa in 1973,

John and his wife Anna Fern will spend time with chil-

dren and grandchildren in Alabama and Maryland, as

well as family in Pennsylvania. He is also looking for-

ward to doing some woodworking in the small shop on

their property.

Any lasting memories as he leaves Pleasantview?

King listed a few: “Early on, the reality of the number

of deaths has impacted me. I also have noted that for

most residents the 23rd Psalm and The Lord’s Prayer are

‘universal’ – it seems everyone is familiar with and re-

spects those two passages.”

“It’s a great opportunity to serve.”

King did that well.

Winter 2018 Page 3

King leaves PV chaplaincy in good shape, but will be missed

Nick Jedlicka, John King, and David Heusinkveld

Former chaplain Dianne Springer Brenneman (right) serves commun-ion to residents Elwood and Ethel Swartzendruber.

As my time as Executive at Pleasantview ends I have a few thoughts I’d like to share. Thankfulness. Thankful to God for leading me here. Thank-ful to the Board for offering the position to me, and for their wisdom and support. Thankful to residents and families for wel-coming and encouraging me. Thankful to my family for their support. Thankful to the staff. My overwhelming thought is thankfulness. My mom and dad. My parents were residents at Pleas-antview; both died here. I will never forget the kindness, com-passion and professionalism they and our family were shown.

We saw it in the nurses and aides and we saw it from other staff: kitchen aides who brought meals and snacks, housekeepers and laundry staff who were so considerate when entering the room, maintenance staff who repaired a drafty window, activity staff who sang to Mom, chaplains who prayed with us and administrative staff who made it clear they cared about my parents as people -- not just two more residents. I have always been proud of Pleasantview and the work we do. Proud because I know the care we received is the same care all residents and families receive. And being on the receiving end of Pleasantview’s services I feel much more than pride. Kalona. Is it just another small town in Iowa? No. Think of our annual Benefit Sale, going strong for 60+ years. Each year much of Kalona is there. Show me an-other town that does that. This is a unique and wonderful community. Pleasantview’s future. We have a great reputation, a five-star rating (the best possible) and a superb staff. We have the foundation of a great future. But to do well in the years to come we must update our facilities and services. We have ex-cellent plans to do that, but it will happen only with community support. Pleas-antview can pay for much of the cost, but not all; we will need financial contribu-tions. The future is bright, but I also see a future that relies on the community. Nick Jedlicka. I am thrilled the Board chose him to replace me. He has been a major part of our achievements and is ideally suited to lead Pleasantview. I am also thrilled because Pleasantview and healthcare have changed a lot since I started, which means Pleasantview’s needs have changed. I am more of a pastor, which has served Pleasantview well. Now we need a leader who is more of a healthcare ad-ministrator. I know Nick has a strong faith and prayer life, but he also has strong administrative and healthcare skills. He is the right person! Friendships. Board, staff residents, families and community. God has called me to return to pastoral ministry; I am excited about what is next! It is hard to leave due to the many friendships I have made. As my time as Executive ends I trust those friendships will remain.

Heusinkveld reflects on time at PV as he begins new life chapter

The View Page 4

Visit us on the web:

pvhome.org facebook.com/pvhome

recep@pvhome.org

(319) 656-2421 811 Third Street

Kalona, IA 52247

About Pleasantview Home: Developed by churches in the Kalona area in

1958. Pleasantview Home is a non-profit

retirement community offering a continuum

of services, from independent living to nurs-

ing and Alzheimer’s care.

Mission Statement: Pleasantview is a Christ-centered

community that promotes aging well and

supports the quality of life for our residents,

their families and our employees.

Core Values: Integrity, quality, compassion, faith, community

Board of Directors: Michael Loss, chair

Dave Hochstetler, vice-chair

Lee Ebersole, secretary

Gary Fisher, treasurer

Wanda Miller Beachy, Janet Erb Geyer,

Rachel Knebel, John H. Miller,

Margaret J. Miller, Deb Yoder, Lowell Yoder

The View is published quarterly.

- Production and Editorial staff -

Larry Swartzendruber, Nick Jedlicka, and

Jeslin Kauffman

David Heusinkveld