Martie Haller, marketing director, serves tea at a nurse appreciation event
During National Nurses Week, May 6-12, Country Meadows Retirement Communities honored nurses at each of its locations.
Country Meadows of Allentown celebrated 56 nurses with a tea and luncheon representing the past, present and future of nursing. The honored guests included current Country Meadows nurses, retired nurses residing at Country Meadows, parish nurses currently serving the community at large, retired nurses from local health care systems and students enrolled in Lehigh Carbon Community College’s (LCCC) nursing program. Guests were served tea, scones, sandwiches and desserts by Country Meadows Executive Chairman Michael Leader and enjoyed an afternoon of fellowship.
“It was an honor and a privilege to have such warmth and love in one room,” says Martie Haller, Director of Marketing for Country Meadows of Allentown. “It was heartwarming to see active nurses mingling with retired nurses and student nurses, all sharing support, encouragement and advice. We joked, ‘There is a million years-worth of knowledge in this room. Let’s bottle it and share it!’”
Country Meadows Executive Chairman Mike Leader serves tea to nurses at Country Meadows of Allentown’s nurses appreciation event
Honored guests included:
Veronica Comfort, a retired nurse now living at Country Meadows of Allentown, who earned her license in 1965. Comfort was in the nursing profession for 40 years and even taught anatomy in the nursing program at LCCC.
Megan Reichelderfer, RN, and Patricia Colangelo, RN, who earned their nursing licenses in 1954, the earliest of those in attendance. Reichelderfer attended Pottsville General Hospital’s School of Nursing Program, and Colangelo earned her degree from Philadelphia General Hospital’s Nursing Program. Both are residents of Country Meadows.
Judy Jackson, RN, who served in the Army as Captain and as a nurse in the cardiac unit. She earned her degree from Reading Hospital in 1964.
Karen Geiser, RN, MBA, retiring Country Meadows Clinical Services Specialist, left, with Jessica Renford, RN, BSN, Christiana Mendez, LPN, and Kim Pasquarello, LPN.
For Country Meadows, the event also celebrated the “passing of the torch” as three nurses were promoted within the company, continuing the legacy of Karen Geiser, RN, MBA, Clinical Services Specialist who will be retiring in July after more than 10 years at Country Meadows. Jessica Renford, RN, BSN, a graduate of Cedar Crest College, will succeed Karen as Clinical Services Specialist for Country Meadows Retirement Communities. Christiana Mendez, LPN, was promoted from Assistant Director of Nursing to Jessica’s role as Director of Nursing. Kim Pasquarello, LPN, will become the new Assistant Director of Nursing for Country Meadows of Allentown.
“It was clear to see the succession of knowledge, leadership and expertise. More importantly, it was uplifting to see women supporting women, standing shoulder to shoulder in our healthcare community,” says Haller.