Chase Memorial

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The year 2007 for Chase Memorial can be summed up as a holding year on many accounts and a year of monumental transitions in other regards,” according to Roger J. Halbert, Administrator/CEO. The Chase campus in New Berlin is home to an eighty bed skilled nursing facility, 32 independent living apartments, out patient family practice for the community, and a child day care operation. “Chase has quite a diverse operation in its provision of a range of human services covering the entire life span,” reflects Halbert, now in his 36th year in management at this site.

There is a correlation of staff retention to quality of services delivered, according to Halbert. The campus is most proud of its retention of 75% of its employees last year, the seventh consecutive year of surpassing the facility’s average of the past 35 years, that of 30.4%. This is in stark contrast to the nationwide employee loss in healthcare which exceeds 50% in most facilities. “Chase’s top management staff averages 19 years,” Halbert stated, “a factor coupled with nearly 40 percent of the employee force with ten or more years of service…that equates to quality service delivery.”

A continuing feature that brings uniqueness to Chase is the “Life Focus” components of companion pets that live at Chase, surrounded by gardens and interior plant life, complete with the daily presence of children. The Eden Alternative which started at Chase in 1992 has received nationwide recognition including introduction to health care facilities internationally. With Chase’s small day care program on-site, children are constantly in the life flow of the nursing facility all day long, Monday through Friday. “Upon entering the front lobby, the sights and sounds of children’s exuberance tell visitors that they are not in the typical nursing home,” says Halbert. Spanning a lifetime of shared experiences, residents are exposed to an atmosphere energized by so many forms of life, which may contribute to Chase’s high occupancy of nearly 99% this past year.

Halbert mentioned the campus independent living apartments experienced a good year also with an occupancy rate of 98.7% for 2007. A nice feature for the housing tenants is the outpatient family practice across the parking lot. Halbert commented that “Chase took over the management of New Berlin Family Practice in 2001 and few housing developments have such an outpatient service within walking distance of the apartment… Chase does!” Halbert proudly stated. The Family Practice, with Mary Ann Bigger, Family Nurse Practitioner and Dr. Anna Marie Ward, provides a needed service for New Berlin and the surrounding communities. The outpatient practice continues to see new patients monthly.

Since December 2006, management and the governing board have been working closely with the New York State Department of Health processing Chase’s Certificate of Need (CON) application which re-defines the setting of long term care delivery for not only the immediate area but for all of New York State. Replacing much of Chase’s 37 year old building, the proposal calls for the provision of skilled nursing services in eight individual houses, with each elder having his or her own private room and the rooms surround a central living room and kitchen/dining area, complete with a working fireplace. “Such a setting, the first of its kind in New York State, will be an attractive feature for the next generation of elders who require nursing home care. Transitioning from the traditional medical model, the household design will truly be beautiful and a hallmark of distinction that will continue to set Chase apart from others,” Halbert enthusiastically stated.

In the preliminary months of fund raising, the Campaign Steering Committee has generated $1.1 million with a goal of approximately another $500,000 from private sources. From governmental funding and three grants that will be submitted in 2008, the committee has a goal for an additional $1 million from such public sources. The Committee will be opening up the campaign to interested philanthropic individuals and additional corporate contributions that will be significant to the fundraising efforts, Halbert said. The Campaign Steering Committee is chaired by John C. Mitchell, with members Janet Ingraham, Board President; Roger Halbert, CEO; William Craine, Marcia Foote, Mark Golden, Nanette Johnston, Paul Stillman, Cheri Theis, Dr. William Thomas, Robert Wadsworth, and Whit Whitaker. The project is slated to be reviewed by state officials at their meeting in New York City on January 24 with the projected start date of construction to be late 2008. Questions on the capital campaign may be directed to Roger Halbert, P.O. Box 250, New Berlin or call him at 607-847-7000.

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