WellSpire, a partnership of WesleyLife and Genesis Health System

Whether you're looking at him today from across the table, on a computer or phone screen, through a window, or in your mind's eye from years ago, may you always regard and remember your father in a way that brings you the greatest joy.

Happy Father's Day to our residents, clients, team members, and friends. Our prayers are with you for the kind of day that lets you know how loved and valued you are!

Now that's commitment.

Storms and flash-flooding the last few weeks have wreaked havoc in Iowa, including in the eastern part of the state, where Fieldstone of Dewitt, a WellSpire Community, is located. The daughter of Nancy Wheeler, a housekeeper at Fieldstone, posted this photo of her mother earlier this week with the caption:

"Fieldstone, you have one dedicated team member! My mother had to walk quite a ways in deep water early this morning to make it to her car for work. I would be blessed to be half the woman my mother is. She’s truly the BEST."

We do our best at WesleyLife to ensure team members feel valued - and Nancy clearly knows how much her presence matters to the residents she serves. Thank you, Nancy, for your dedication. We're grateful you are safe, and grateful you are a part of Fieldstone and WesleyLife.

(Please note: Although Nancy was familiar with flooding in the area, crossing water - especially in an unfamiliar area - is not always a safe choice. Before you cross, check for current, and for bubbling that can indicate electric involvement.)

We are proud of our campuses’ connections with the greater communities in which they are located. At Crosstown Square, a WellSpire Community in Silvis, Illinois, Donna, a friend of the campus, popped in last week to entertain residents on the piano while they enjoyed lunch. We love that our relationships and impact don’t stop at our four walls!

Residents and team members at The Summit of Bettendorf kicked off the new year in unique style: with their very own gala celebration that looked a lot like a "senior prom"! They enjoyed Champagne and delicious snacks, played music of a variety of genres from a variety of decades, and danced the night away. What a way to celebrate, connect, and ring in the New Year. Happy 2024 from The Summit!

WellSpire sends prayers of condolence and strength to all affected by yesterday's senseless act of violence in Perry, Iowa. Our hearts are with the Perry Community School District as we pray for physical and emotional recovery for all.

This morning, we shared with our team members the following ways to assist victims and their families. Please take a look and consider offering your support.

• LifeServe Blood Center, the sole blood provider to the Des Moines Metro, sent blood and blood products yesterday to all Des Moines hospitals in the wake of the shooting. Donations are always needed; schedule an online appointment to donate, or call (800) 287-4903.
• A verified GoFundMe called Perry Iowa Community-School Shooting has been established by a community leader who writes that needs are currently unknown, but that funds will be distributed as needs arise.
• NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a hotline available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and is always seeking volunteers. Learn more at NAMI.org, or call (515) 254-0417.
• The Perry News will continue to publish updates on vigils, services, and additional ways to help.

Congratulations to all involved with creating The Summit of Bettendorf, our flagship Community for Healthy Living in the Quad Cities! Senior Housing News has awarded the community a second-place finish in its annual design competition. Read the details in the link below!

The Summit wins architecture, design award Congratulations to The Summit of Bettendorf for its second-place finish in a major industry architecture and design competition!

Happy Kwanzaa!

Kwanzaa is based on seven principles, with a day devoted to each one. The first day, called Umoja, focuses on unity. The others are, in order:

- Kujichagulia: Self-determination
- Ujima: Collective work and responsibility
- Ujamaa: Cooperative economics
- Nia: Purpose
- Kuumba: Creativity
- Imani: Faith

Kwanzaa, which translates to “fruits of the harvest,” has been observed for 54 years in the United States. The holiday week extends through January 1. May its principles enhance the lives of all who are enjoying the holiday this week!

"In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register.

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room available for them.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven.'" - Luke 2:1-14

On behalf of everyone at WellSpire: Thank you to all who have blessed us with the opportunity to serve you this past year. We wish you a warm, healthy, merry Christmas surrounded by those who bring you joy.

Happy Christmas to all ... and to all, a good night.

Enjoy these photos from Fieldstone of DeWitt, a WellSpire Community in DeWitt, Iowa - and take a moment to read the short post below. Happy holidays from WellSpire!

At WellSpire, we're proud of our commitment to the health and safety of those who have placed their trust in us. That commitment begins with adherence to regulations for services and care that are established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the State of Iowa.

State inspectors recently visited Fieldstone of DeWitt, a WellSpire Community, to conduct an annual survey to ensure the community is adhering to those regulatory requirements. Congratulations to Executive Director Chelsey Killean and her team for being awarded a "deficiency-free" result — a rating earned by only about 5 percent of 400-plus senior living communities statewide.

The annual state surveys, conducted over several days, cover more than 500 quality, safety and performance metrics such as medication management, needs assessments, respect for residents' rights, environment, admissions, and nutrition. The evaluations include a tour of each campus, a review of residents’ clinical records, and interviews with residents and family members about life inside the community.

What does a "deficiency-free" rating mean to you as a resident of one of our communities, or as a family member of someone served on one of those campuses? It means you can rest assured that our communities meet or exceed ALL state and federal standards for service and care, ALL the time.

We're happy Fieldstone is able to provide you with this peace of mind, and we thank our dedicated team members for having made it possible for the community to achieve this stellar rating!

Are you looking for a nursing-leadership opportunity? If you're seeking an Assistant Director of Nursing role that offers flexible scheduling, a top-notch team, and opportunities to truly connect with residents, take a moment to click the link below!

https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/wes1039wesl/JobBoard/ed770a23-64e6-4792-9e85-963980064f4c/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=5556cca3-f2da-45da-860e-8d26a551480c

WesleyLife is in the top dozen!

Once again, FORTUNE has named WesleyLife -- one of WellSpire's parent organizations -- to its list of the Top 20 Workplaces for Aging Services -- nationally! As in the last four consecutive years, we're the only Iowa-based organization included.

This honor showcases the passion and dedication our team members illustrate daily toward our mission and the individuals who place their trust in us. This means when you choose a WesleyLife location to provide services and care -- either for yourself or someone you love -- you'll know you've chosen to align with an organization that will strive to exceed your expectations.

Congratulations to all. We are honored to be a part of an esteemed group!

Learn more about the award in the link below.

FORTUNE names WesleyLife one of top dozen workplaces For the fourth consecutive year, WesleyLife is honored with a FORTUNE "Best Workplaces" award.

Congratulations to Genesis Health System, one of WellSpire's parent organizations! For the second year in a row, the Genesis Hospice Care Team has been recognized as one of the nation's best for quality hospice care, and is the only hospice provider in the area to be 5-star-rated by Medicare.gov.

Learn more in the link below!

2 In A Row - Genesis Hospice Named One of Nation's Best - AGAIN For the second time in two years Genesis Hospice care has been recognized as one of the nations' best. The Hospice Quality Excellence Award from HomeCare HomeBase recognizes agencies performing at 100% across the organization in all seven CMS-defined quality measures...

Congratulations to Richard Walker, friend and volunteer extraordinaire at Fieldstone of DeWitt, a WellSpire Community -- and LeadingAge Iowa's Volunteer of the Year! Read the story of Richard and his honor in the link below.

https://www.wesleylife.org/blog/statewide-award-honors-fieldstone-volunteer

The Summit of Bettendorf, a WellSpire community, was delighted last week to welcome residents, team members, and guests to the grand opening of the community's Bella Vida Salon! Open to the general public as well as the community, the state-of-the-art space is operated by Amy Lurk with services from stylist Linda Anderson. Services include cuts, colors, perms, sets, nails, and more, with massage therapy to be added soon! Appointments can be scheduled by calling Amy at (630) 254-1662.

More on WellSpire's commitment to enhancing health and well-being!

Cheers to The Summit of Bettendorf team members who completed two endurance tests in the last couple of weeks: the 50th RAGBRAI state-wide bicycle ride, and the BIX 7 road race in the Quad Cities. Sarah Coy, Clinical Resource Specialist, completed RAGBRAI, and Bobbi Malmgren, Wellness Coordinator, and Lori McFate, Concierge, rode in the BIX 7.

Way to walk the walk (or ride the ride!), Summit team!

Meet two members of our culinary team at The Summit of Bettendorf in Bettendorf, Iowa -- Rosol, who immigrated from Iraq in 2004 in search of a better life for her two children, and Freddie, a proud dad who studies astrophysics in his downtime. They're two of the 1,800 WesleyLife team members whose dedication and and commitment make them heroes in the eyes of those we serve, and we are so grateful they are a part of our culture and mission!

It's an important day: WesleyLife Foundation -- a long-held goal for one of WellSpire's parent organizations -- is up and running and doing good things. Read the story in the link below to meet the business leaders and philanthropists who have made WesleyLife Foundation a reality, and learn why its work is so important.

Announcing: WesleyLife Foundation WesleyLife Foundation will meet critical, specialized needs

It's WesleyLife's birthday! Proud to be one of WellSpire's parent organizations, we're 76 years old today.

It all started in 1947 with a goal of providing care for “old folks” (that’s how the first Wesley Acres sign read — really!). Since then, we’ve grown to an organization that serves more than 8,000 people a year with a variety of services designed to enhance health and well-being and promote a sense of joy.

Stay tuned next week as we celebrate our annual WesleyLife Week, filled with organization-wide education, connection, recognition, and appreciation. A big "thank you" to all who help make it possible for us to continue to serve!

Here's a highlight from yesterday's celebrations!

Residents at Fieldstone of DeWitt, a WellSpire Community, enjoyed sitting in the shade and watching the DeWitt parade go by! Residents and team members cheered on the community's own Ron and Marilyn Baxter, Assisted Living King and Queen, and Louella Rose, Health Center Queen. They watched children argue over candy and enjoyed the tractors, trucks, and floats going by.

Everyone at Fieldstone hopes all WesleyLife and WellSpire friends enjoyed a wonderful holiday!

Happy Fourth of July!

Let WesleyLife Meals on Wheels driver Sally and her son, Noah, put a smile on your face today: On their own time, they made and delivered special holiday treats to all the older adults and military veterans along their route yesterday. What a wonderful way to help these individuals feel special.

WesleyLife Meals on Wheels drivers illustrate what we're all about: Doing all the good we can to all those we can. Enjoy your day today -- and a special "thank you" to those team members who are on the clock today, enabling WesleyLife and WellSpire to provide 24/7 services and care. We appreciate you!

It's a great day! Brandon Luke joins us today as Executive Director at The Summit of Bettendorf.

Brandon comes to us from New Perspective Senior Living in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area; before that, he served in executive positions with senior living organizations throughout the Midwest. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a MSW in social work and earned his master’s degree in nursing-home administration from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

We are thrilled with this addition. Welcome, Brandon!

During this National CNA Appreciation Week, we continue to recognize Certified Nursing Assistants throughout the organization. A big "thank you" to the CNA crew at Fieldstone of DeWitt, a WellSpire Community! This photo doesn't include all of them, but it provides a sampling of the dedicated, committed professionals who make a big difference every day in the lives of Fieldstone's residents.

WesleyLife, one of WellSpire's parent organizations, is pleased to announce the addition of Allison Pendroy, most recently of Life Care Services and an expert in the field of senior-services operations, as Chief Operating Officer. Read more in the link below.

https://www.wesleylife.org/blog/wesleylife-names-allison-pendroy-as-new-coo

This month and every month, WesleyLife -- one of WellSpire's two parent organizations -- understands a commitment to diversity and inclusion only makes us stronger. In the words of Glen Lewis, Executive Director at Edgewater-A WesleyLife Active Life Community: "It's imperative that we help people understand they are in a place where they will be welcomed, respected, honored, and loved for who they are."

Read the story in the link below!

Honored, loved, respected: Inclusion is fundamental to WesleyLife This month and every month, a commitment to diversity and inclusion is fundamental to WesleyLife's culture.

Welcome, Madalyn!

Madalyn Oltman joined us today as a Talent Acquisition Specialist. She'll be working in the Quad Cities market to support WellSpire, with a focus on Fieldstone of DeWitt, a WellSpire Community; Illini Restorative Care, a WellSpire Community; and The Summit of Bettendorf.

Madalyn will serve as the communities' clinical recruiting resource, owning the recruiting process from sourcing to scheduling onsite interviews. We are delighted to welcome her to the team!

After evaluating more than 60 elements of team members’ experiences on the job, the Great Place to Work Institute has honored WesleyLife -- one of WellSpire's parent organizations -- with certification as a Great Place to Work. This is the sixth year WesleyLife has been named to the list!

If you or someone you love is receiving services or care from WellSpire, you can be confident in the knowledge that you're being served by quality team members who are passionate about what they do! Read the complete story in the link below.

WesleyLife Honored as Great Place to Work For the sixth year, WesleyLife has been nationally designated a Great Place to Work.

On this Memorial Day, we honor our memories of loved ones who died while serving in the U.S. military. Our prayers are for all who have lost loved ones in service to our country, and for those missing other family members and friends as well. May your memories bring you comfort today.

Thank you to residents at The Village, A WesleyLife Community in Indianola, Iowa, who spend each Memorial Day decorating their campus with more than 700 flags in honor of those who gave their lives in service!