NVH Newsletter December 2024

Extended Care Activities Department:

At North Valley Extended Care, our Activities Department is the heart and soul of our community, tirelessly working to enhance the lives of our residents. This incredible team brings energy, creativity, and compassion to their roles, ensuring every day is filled with opportunities for connection, engagement, and joy.

From themed parties and holiday celebrations to art programs and spa treatments involving manicures and salon treatments, the Activities Department curates a diverse calendar of events that cater to all interests and abilities. Recently, our Thanksgiving meal celebration was a huge success, featuring delicious food. Residents, families, and staff came together to create cherished memories. Families wrote comment cards, including “The staff all went above whatever you could imagine. Helpful, friendly, over and above to make us and the residents feel good. May God bless you all” to “As we enjoyed the Thanksgiving meal, the family chatted about the care and detail involved. The staff chat and look residents in the eye, smile, laugh and just love on them. The home is clean. The meal was delicious! Thank you”.

Understanding the importance of socialization, the team hosts group activities such as games, which include bingo, Yahtzee, and card games. Other group activities involve a multitude of crafts, which are then on display throughout the facility as table centerpieces or hung on the walls for all to enjoy. There are men’s group, women’s group for discussions and group activities that pertain to each. The residents enjoy musical entertainment throughout the month by a variety of volunteers who share their talents with singing groups, including those that bring their instruments and play as they sing. Frequently, the residents are encouraged to join in to supplement vocals. When the weather is cooperative, outdoor activities are a focus and the residents enjoy growing—and eating—their harvests in the garden grown in the courtyard. Throughout the summer there are weekly barbecues in which the residents enjoy their noon meal al fresco. The residents are also treated to group outings to museums or shopping trips. These gatherings foster camaraderie and encourage residents to build meaningful relationships with one another. In addition, the Activities Department will arrange one-on-one visits for residents who may prefer quieter interactions, ensuring everyone feels included and valued.

Shannon, Teresa, Teresa, and Sherry

The Activities Department also impresses with their efforts to assist residents with transportation to medical appointments. Their attention to detail, patience, and kindness make what can be a stressful situation so much easier for residents and their families. Whether it’s coordinating schedules or offering a comforting presence during the trip, this team exemplifies care and compassion every step of the way.

All of this is made possible through the dedication and passion of the Activities Department. The department is made up of assistants Sherry Porter, Shannon Gutzman, Teresa Fast, and led by Teresa Davis. These ladies have worked at the facility for a combined total of 37 years. Their ability to bring smiles to faces, promote wellness, and create a vibrant community is truly inspiring. Whether planning a special event or spending time chatting with a resident, their impact is immeasurable.

We’re incredibly grateful for their hard work and the positive difference they make in the lives of our residents every day. If you’d like to support their efforts, consider volunteering or donating materials for activities. Together, we can continue to make NVEC a wonderful place to live and thrive.

Thank you to our Activities Team – you make life here extraordinary!

Vaccines:

Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications from the virus. By getting vaccinated, you’re also helping to protect vulnerable members of our community and contributing to a healthier future for everyone. Schedule your COVID-19 vaccine appointment with our clinic today and take an important step toward keeping yourself and our community safe. Call at 486-3191 to book your appointment!

Hospital Foundation:

As we wrap up the multiple-year construction project, one of the most exciting items for staff is the creation of two new rooms for patient care. We will now have an additional ED room and inpatient hospital room, which will help get patients out of the waiting room and into the ED sooner. The additional hospital room will give us extra flexibility, particularly when caring for patients with infectious diseases. These rooms were partially built in 2010 with the new addition but have served as storage over the last 14 years. This project was made possible by the generous donation of $100,000 from the Hospital Foundation.

The Hospital Foundation (North Valley Community Health Association) is holding its annual giving campaign, and if you would like to support future investments in local health care, you can contribute here.

Welcome Kristy Terzi:

Kristy Terzi serves as Chief Nursing Officer at North Valley Hospital District, where she leads a dedicated team of nursing professionals in delivering exceptional patient care. With over 30 years of experience in nursing, Kristy has extensive expertise in bedside nursing, nursing education, and nursing leadership. She is committed to fostering a culture of compassion, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Passionate about the privilege of being a nurse and empowering nursing teams, Kristy collaborates closely with other healthcare leaders to enhance patient outcomes and support the District's goals.

Kristy holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alaska - Anchorage, along with multiple specialty certifications. She is dedicated to education and actively pursues formal and informal learning opportunities. Her commitment to continuous growth drives her to seek ways to improve processes and communication, thereby enhancing outcomes. The development of a strong clinical team and her dedication to the nursing process are foundational to her role. Community involvement and county-wide collaboration are central to her professional focus. With a strong emphasis on caring for people, her leadership supports both the staff of NVH and the community it serves.

Outside of work, Kristy enjoys her farm and caring for animals with her husband. Their move from Alaska to Tonasket in 2020 was influenced by his familiarity with the region. She cherishes spending time with their four sons and beautiful granddaughter, taking walks to appreciate the area's natural beauty, and quilting, which is her favorite hobby during the fall and winter months.