Author: Peter Robinson

Faith is at the Heart of Everything We Do

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Faith is central to the Virginia Baptist Homes (VBH) Foundation.  In 1949, the pastor of Culpeper Baptist Church founded what eventually became Virginia Baptist Homes and then LifeSpire of Virginia, and while our roots are in the Baptist tradition, today each community welcomes and celebrates the people of our community from every faith and background. 

praying hands

Chaplains are available at each community, serving as resources for residents, families and their fellow team members. Chaplains support the spiritual journey of everyone, offering blessings in times of joy and celebration, and encouragement in times of crisis, need and bereavement.

In 2020, the Virginia Baptist Homes (VBH) Foundation created the Spiritual Life Fund to support and expand the faith-based programs and the people providing those services within our communities. Linking back to the original mission of the organization, the Spiritual Life Fund supports the mission and vision of LifeSpire, which includes envisioning a future where faith, wellness and community spirit lead the way.

candlelight

Your gifts to the Spiritual Life Fund support the chaplains and the spiritual enrichment programs in each LifeSpire community. Spiritual Life Fund grants are made available annually to pay for resources which each community can use for that spiritual enrichment.

Gifts to the Spiritual Life Fund have funded:

  • songbooks and supplies for a new Taizé worship and prayer experience
  • grief and bereavement support resources
  • supplies for Advent and Christmas devotions for the residents in Memory Support, Assisted Living and Health Care
  • new sets of chimes to be used in worship services and other musical offering opportunities
  • a new set of seasonal banners and worship paraments to bring color and life to worship experiences

One community recently offered a lecture series from Rabbi Dr. Michael Panitz on World Religions. Over 65 residents attended and many remarked that they enjoyed the presentations immensely. Two residents commented on why they enjoyed the series:

“Rabbi Panitz has so much knowledge, and yet he makes the information understandable and engaging. He helps us learn why people believe the way they do and helps inform how we see the world. His series is so timely and I’m so glad to have heard him speak.”

“I love that our community offers faith-based programs like these, giving us an opportunity to learn new things and expand our awareness. Not all senior living communities have faith-based programming, and it’s one of the reasons why I chose to live here.”

To learn more about the Spiritual Life Fund, please visit www.lifespireliving.org/give/spiritual-life/ or call 804-521-9213 for more information.

18 Students to Receive Scholarships for College from LifeSpire of Virginia, the VBH Foundation

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The LifeSpire of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist Homes (VBH) Foundation leadership teams are pleased to announce the 2022 scholarship recipients. A total of $18,000 was awarded to 18 deserving individuals. The scholarships are funded by the Employee Education Fund.

The fund provides financial assistance for deserving team members towards two- and four-year higher education degrees. Support is awarded with grants for college-bound team members, and their children and grandchildren.

2022 Scholarship Recipients

The Chesapeake

  • Michael Delva Felix, Security
  • Margan Boyd, Nursing

The Culpeper

  • Sadie Wentz, daughter of Carolyn Wentz, Culinary Services
  • Aaron Bostian, Culinary Services
  • Teresa Lewis, Nursing
  • Capone Hoffman, Culinary Services
  • Esther Seworder, daughter of Victoria Seworder, Culinary Services
  • Jordan Hicks, grandson of Debbie Seaman, Culinary Services
  • Wyatt Hicks, grandson of Debbie Seaman, Culinary Services

The Glebe

  • Allison Bancroft, Resident Services
  • Heather Roberts, Nursing
  • Christopher Hall, son of Cheryl Hall, Nursing
  • Crystal Collings, Nursing
  • Mia Brower, Social Worker
  • Kailah Finley, daughter of Shaun Finley, Culinary Services

Lakewood

  • Meredith Etheridge, Culinary Services
  • Caroline Sampson, Nursing

Lakewood at Home

  • Naomi Davis, daughter of Brenda Davis, Community Outreach

The VBH Foundation’s Employee Education Fund provides awards on an annual basis. The fund relies on the generosity of donors for sustainability. The LifeSpire team is grateful for the kindness of residents, families and colleagues who give to the Foundation to assist team members financially with scholarships and crisis awards. To learn more about the programs providing support to team members, visit https://lspireprd.wpengine.com/give/employee-support/.

LifeSpire of Virginia Leadership Team Prepares for Ownership Transition

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It has been a busy four weeks since our last post as the LifeSpire of Virginia leadership team prepares for the anticipated transaction closing on September 30 and assumes ownership on October 1. 

Following a comprehensive benefits presentation by LifeSpire of Virginia’s benefits administrator, Scott Insurance, on August 23, the LifeSpire of Virginia leadership team has been onsite at The Summit to assist team members with the onboarding process. All team members have signed their offer letters and completed the benefits enrollment process. 

On August 26, after months of careful consideration, LifeSpire of Virginia announced to its team members that the organization will be instating a COVID-19 vaccine mandate across all LifeSpire of Virginia communities and the home office. LifeSpire of Virginia is following guidance received from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requiring all nursing home team members to become vaccinated.  Absent further guidance from CMS on the timing, LifeSpire of Virginia announced that the vaccine will be required by October 10. 

On September 2, LifeSpire of Virginia announced Adam Feldbauer as The Summit’s Executive Director. Feldbauer has more than 10 years of experience in senior living and healthcare organizations and became a licensed nursing home administrator in 2014. He will join The Summit on October 1.  

The LifeSpire of Virginia leadership team participated in a Family Night for The Summit Assisted Living residents and family members on September 14 to share information about what to expect in the weeks and months ahead. 

August 26: LifeSpire of Virginia COVID-19 Mandate Update

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On August 26, 2021, LifeSpire of Virginia announced to its team members that the organization will be instating a vaccine mandate across all LifeSpire of Virginia communities and the home office. This decision was carefully considered for several months by team members in the Home Office and from the communities. LifeSpire of Virginia is following guidance received from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requiring all nursing home team members to become vaccinated. LifeSpire of Virginia’s mandate will mirror the timing dictated by CMS for the vaccination mandate. This means that all LifeSpire of Virginia team members will be required to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment in the near future.

With the CDC releasing a study on August 24, 2021, indicating that unvaccinated people are 29x more likely to be hospitalized and 5x more likely to be infected with COVID-19, LifeSpire of Virginia fully supports the belief that the vaccine is society’s best defense against the virus.

All LifeSpire of Virginia communities have already done a remarkable job in collectively achieving resident vaccination rates over 99%, meaning residents are and have been protected from the most serious illness related to COVID-19. In the last few weeks, our communities have worked hard to increase the rate of team member vaccination, and the vaccine mandate will help further achieve this.

LifeSpire of Virginia’s leadership team and community leadership remain committed to the health and safety of all those who live, work and visit our communities, and greatly appreciate the support as we jointly navigate the pandemic.

Regards,

Jonathan R. Cook

LifeSpire of Virginia President and CEO

LifeSpire of Virginia Leadership Team Travels to The Summit

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On August 4th and 5th members of the leadership team from LifeSpire of Virginia travelled to The Summit to meet with The Summit’s team members. While there, the LifeSpire of Virginia team had the opportunity to take part in the 18th anniversary celebration of The Summit and enjoy a fantastic display of fireworks. In attendance from the LifeSpire of Virginia team were Jonathan Cook, Chris Markwith, Peter Robinson, Jodi Leonard, Lisa Legeer, Hannah Feely, Christine Moran, Deb Ledbetter, Robert Wilbanks, and Derek Meyer.

During meetings with Summit team members a number of items were covered including a projected timeline of events, history of LifeSpire of Virginia, Core Values and Mission, expected closing date of the sale, how and when Summit team members will transition from Centra employment to LifeSpire of Virginia employment, what internal processes and systems will have to change after closing, and a preview of the open enrollment process with LifeSpire of Virginia.

 August 9th and 10th, individual 1-1 meetings with Summit team members and members of the LifeSpire of Virginia team occurred. During these meetings the LifeSpire of Virginia team (Jonathan, Lisa and Hannah) reviewed salary compensation specifics and answered questions unique to each team members’ unique circumstances. LifeSpire of Virginia’s goal is to retain as many of The Summit’s team member as possible while taking job history and tenure into consideration.

The next meeting between LifeSpire of Virginia and The Summit’s team members will occur on August 23rd at The Summit. During this meeting Hannah Feely and representatives from LifeSpire of Virginia’s benefits administrator, Scott Insurance, will be going over the LifeSpire of Virginia open enrollment process and help Summit team members begin the benefits enrollment process.

LifeSpire of Virginia’s leadership remains excited to be welcoming The Summit and its employees to the LifeSpire of Virginia family. The Summit’s unique culture and values make it a special community and that will not change after The Summit joins the LifeSpire of Virginia family.

LifeSpire of Virginia CEO Letter to Team Members of The Summit

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July 26, 2021

Dear Summit Team Members,

On behalf of LifeSpire of Virginia’s Board of Trustees and our leadership team, I want to enthusiastically welcome you to the LifeSpire of Virginia family as we expand our mission of empowering individuals with choices in purposeful living. When we visited The Summit in April, we were very impressed with the compassion and caring that was exhibited by all team members we interacted with.

We’re looking forward to meeting you in person when our team visits The Summit on August 4th and 5th. We have quite a bit of information to share with you about what to expect in the days, weeks and months ahead, including a calendar of events for the process of officially welcoming you as a LifeSpire of Virginia team member.

We hope you’re excited for The Summit team to become a component of the LifeSpire of Virginia team. We take great pride in providing educational and career growth opportunities for team members and are eager to share more about our culture, our core values and what it means to be a member of our team. We know you take great pride in the work you do at The Summit and we are looking forward to learning about the unique culture and values that has made The Summit a success.

Over the next few months, we will be learning from you as we work closely together to ensure a successful integration for both team members and residents. 

Again, we’re thrilled to welcome you and The Summit into the LifeSpire of Virginia family and look forward to seeing you next week. If you have any questions regarding this exciting time in LifeSpire of Virginia’s and The Summit’s history, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Regards,

Jonathan R. Cook

LifeSpire of Virginia President and CEO

LifeSpire of Virginia CEO Letter To Residents of The Summit

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July 26, 2021

Dear Summit Residents and Families,

On behalf of LifeSpire of Virginia’s Board of Trustees and our leadership team, I’m excited to welcome you to the LifeSpire of Virginia family. The addition of The Summit to our family represents an exciting time in the history of both organizations as we build on our common faith-based heritage. At LifeSpire of Virginia, faith as our first core value means:  Loving God. Loving People. Respecting Dignity. Welcoming all.   

We hope you’re excited to be joining the LifeSpire of Virginia family and we have quite a bit of information to share with you about what to expect in the days, weeks and months ahead.   Our team is looking forward to meeting you and celebrating The Summit’s 18th Anniversary on August 4th. Then, on August 5th, at 11 a.m., members of our team will be attending your town hall meeting. 

Our leadership team will be learning from The Summit’s team as we work closely together to ensure a smooth transition for all residents and team members. We’re eager to learn from you as well and are planning a series of events to provide those opportunities. 

Again, we’re thrilled to welcome you and The Summit into the LifeSpire of Virginia family and look forward to seeing you next week. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Jonathan R. Cook

LifeSpire of Virginia President and CEO

LifeSpire of Virginia Launches COVID Care Recognition Program

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April 21 marks seven weeks since LifeSpire of Virginia’s first communication regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is day 35 since the home office temporarily closed. It has been 39 days since visitor restrictions were implemented at each of our four communities.  

For the past 38 days our dining services teams have prepared and delivered all meals to each resident in their community. Resident services team members hosted virtual events and helped family members connect with their loved ones via video call. Housekeeping and facilities teams upped their efforts to clean and sanitize every surface. Marketing team members hosted virtual tours and facilitated move-ins for new residents while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Nurses donned respirators, gloves, goggles, shields and gowns to care for our residents. 

Every team member has stepped up to the plate during this incredibly difficult time. They put their own health and the safety of their families on the line to provide top-notch care for our communities.  

The risk they are all taking is not lost on the LifeSpire of Virginia management team which is why we are launching a COVID Care Recognition Program designed to thank those who are going above and beyond during this pandemic. Each day, LifeSpire of Virginia will award a $250 bonus to team members or a $250 gift card to contractors who are nominated for their efforts. The bonus will be added to the team member’s next scheduled paycheck and gift cards will be distributed to the recipient. This recognition will be awarded every day until the pandemic restrictions are lifted.  

Nominations will be accepted from fellow team members, managers or residents.

To nominate a LifeSpire of Virginia team member:

  • Send the name, community and title of the person you are nominating to Corporate Director of Communications Hillary Smith at [email protected].
  • Include a few sentences explaining what the nominee has done to deserve this recognition.
  • Photos or videos are welcomed and may be used on social media to further recognize our team members.

Posted in Corporate Office

LifeSpire of Virginia Works to Protect Front Line Team Members

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As team members at our four communities work diligently to prevent the spread of COVID-19, LifeSpire of Virginia continues its efforts to protect our colleagues on the front lines. A large shipment of face shields was delivered to the corporate office on April 17. Additional N95 respirators, surgical masks and gowns were also delivered.

The personal protective equipment will be dispersed to each of our communities on an as-needed basis. Vice President of Marketing Peter Robinson immediately dropped off hundreds of items to Lakewood this morning. He said it is very satisfying to know that LifeSpire of Virginia has the equipment and supplies team members need in order to safely do their jobs of taking care of residents.

“On behalf of the corporate office and the entire LifeSpire of Virginia team, we thank our colleagues who are on the front lines fighting this virus and continuing to do an incredible job caring for each and every one of our residents under these incredibly difficult circumstances. We will continue to do everything we can to source PPE for our communities. Additional supplies are expected in the coming weeks.”

Vice President of Marketing Peter Robinson

A large shipment of hand sanitizer and bleach mats—used to disinfect shoes as individuals enter—were also delivered to Lakewood April 17.

Posted in Corporate Office