CHAMBERSBURG, Pennsylvania — The dedicated team at IntegraCare is accustomed to giving 100% while caring for its residents. Now, 100% has taken on a new meaning at IntegraCare’s 13 senior living communities in three states.
Magnolias of Chambersburg has attained a 100% COVID-19 vaccination rate among its team members and has earned a certificate of recognition signed by IntegraCare CEO Larry Rouvelas.
“We take the safety and well-being of our team and our residents very seriously,” said Rouvelas, who made IntegraCare a leader in the industry as among the first to make employee vaccinations mandatory during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are proud of our team for getting vaccinated to protect not only themselves, but also our residents. IntegraCare is a great place to work, a great place to live, and now is a safer place for all.”
To ensure that team members and residents have access to vaccinations in the future, IntegraCare will work with Johnson Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., whose experienced pharmacists and technicians are leaders in the long-term care pharmacy model.
“Our continued focus is on vaccination of our staff and our residents as well as expanding visitation opportunities for our families and residents both inside and outside,” said Putzier, President and co-founder of IntegraCare.
The Magnolias of Chambersburg team viewed the vaccine as a path to bringing hope and optimism to the senior living community.
“At Magnolias of Chambersburg we held on to hope for a year,” said Kristine Wenrick, Executive Operations Officer. “Hope to see families again, hope of seeing our world return to normalcy, hope for children to learn with their peers and not alone in front of a computer and hope to not lose a friend, family member, or neighbor to COVID-19.
“By bringing the vaccine to our team, hope is slowly being restored and renewed,” Wenrick said. “The dedication and commitment of our staff to protect the most vulnerable has been sacrificial and unselfish. Giving up vacations and group holiday gatherings and eventually rolling up their sleeves to accept the vaccine are just some of the sacrifices that the team has made over the last 13 months.”
Those residents who are at most risk during the pandemic also will be better protected now that the team is vaccinated.
“We are thankful that the vaccine offers the ‘hope’ of protection to the most vulnerable, or beloved residents,” Wenrick said. “A giant step in the right direction to recover from a year lost with our loved ones. Hope has turned to joy with seeing our families back and residents embracing their precious children, grandchildren, spouses and loved ones.”