Joan Suttel named NYSHFA Senior Volunteer of the Year

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY – Depew resident Joan Suttel has been named 2009 Senior Volunteer of the Year by the New York State Health Facilities Association (NYSHFA), a statewide professional association of more than 250 long-term care facilities. She and other health care facilities staff and volunteers will be recognized at the organization’s annual convention June 28 to July 1.

Ms. Suttel has been a dedicated volunteer at the Maplewood campus for more than six years. When she isn’t assisting with activities, outings and special events, Ms. Suttel frequently can be found spending some quiet time with a memory-impaired resident. Often, she will visit and comfort dying residents, especially those without family.

“Joan doesn’t just show up, she steps up, dresses up, cleans up and rolls up her sleeves and pitches in,” remarked Johann Komurek, director of volunteer services for the Maplewood campus. “She is a friend to all of us and especially to the residents she inspires every day.”

ElderWood Health Care and ElderWood Village at Maplewood are a part of ElderWood Senior Care, providing skilled nursing care, subacute care, rehabilitation, assisted living, independent living, memory care, cardiovascular transitional care and respiratory care to more than 3,500 people each year at 17 locations in Western and Central New York. Nine ElderWood skilled nursing facilities in Western New York have earned either Step 1, Step 2 or Step 3 Quality Awards from the American Health Care Association, the most prestigious honor in long-term care. For more information, visit www.elderwood.com.