Hamburg ladies earn NYSHFA Volunteer of the Year honors

HAMBURG, NY – Jane Johnson and Theresa Gemza, affectionately referred to as “The Rosary Ladies,” have been named Spiritual Guidance Volunteers 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. Johnson, of Hamburg, and Ms. Gemza, of Orchard Park, who began their ministry at Lakewood 13 years ago, continue to arrive faithfully once a week to lead a rosary prayer service. Both are parishioners at St. Bernadette’s Church in Orchard Park.

Residents look forward to spending every Monday in prayer with these two faith-filled women. Beyond rosary beads, Ms. Johnson and Ms. Gemza bring a sense of hope, meaning and purpose in life that is vastly important and comforting to the residents.

ElderWood Health Care at Lakewood is 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 5,000 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.