It's hard to believe, but this past Friday, February 20th, Kirkhaven celebrated 25 years of caring. Was it really 25 years ago on February 20, 1984 when we began admitting our very first residents.
We also brought our staff on one unit at a time over the first few months, although a good percentage of our staff needed to be on the job from day one. I remember well the "assembly line" interviewing and recruitment process we put in place to efficiently hire our initial staff of nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, food service workers, housekeepers, maintenance, office and other support personnel.
And so, last Friday we celebrated our past 25 years with a day of reflection, celebration and homage to our past. The day began with a wonderful President's Breakfast for the 17 staff members who were hired in our first year of operation and are still with us today. In addition we were joined by our first President of Kirkhaven, Phil Price and his wife Vi. What a great thrill and honor to have Mr. Price join us for this special day and breakfast.
10 of the 17 original staff pose for a group photo with President Emeritus Mr. Price
Here I am with Miss Demarco and her special recognition rose
I remember we had a very efficient system of admitting 5 residents a day, Monday thru Thursday and then caught our collective breaths on Friday and the weekend before starting it all over again the following week. We filled up one floor at a time and within 2 months had reached 90% occupancy.
We also brought our staff on one unit at a time over the first few months, although a good percentage of our staff needed to be on the job from day one. I remember well the "assembly line" interviewing and recruitment process we put in place to efficiently hire our initial staff of nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, food service workers, housekeepers, maintenance, office and other support personnel.
And who could forget the hours of preparation writing policies and procedures, ordering supplies, training staff and readying the facility. I'm not sure how, but somehow we managed it all ................and the rest as they say, is history.
And so, last Friday we celebrated our past 25 years with a day of reflection, celebration and homage to our past. The day began with a wonderful President's Breakfast for the 17 staff members who were hired in our first year of operation and are still with us today. In addition we were joined by our first President of Kirkhaven, Phil Price and his wife Vi. What a great thrill and honor to have Mr. Price join us for this special day and breakfast.
10 of the 17 original staff pose for a group photo with President Emeritus Mr. Price After our President's Breakfast, Paula Henry (Director of Social Work) and I presented a special rose to the resident who has been with Kirkhaven the longest. Amazingly enough, we have one resident who was admitted in our very first year and is still with us today. I'm not sure what her secret to a long life is, but she starts every morning the same............with two cups of coffee with breakfast.
Here I am with Miss Demarco and her special recognition rose We continued our celebration with a special anniversary luncheon on all resident units followed by an anniversary cake for residents and staff. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. we held an anniversary Open House that featured tours, entertainment, refreshments and photo displays of both our past and future plans for the next generation Kirkhaven. Our special day ended with a dessert bar for residents, staff and visitors from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and all night long for our night shift staff.
Another very special occurrence that just happened to occur on our 25th anniversary, was the fact that for the first time in several years, we were at 100% occupancy. A great day and a busy week of planning.
There have been thousands of individuals (past and present staff, volunteers, board leadership and business partners) who have helped create and sustain the wonderful mission of Kirkhaven. On behalf of the organization and in my capacity as president/CEO, I thank you all and say, "HAPPY 25TH ANNIVERSARY KIRKHAVEN!
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