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Heritage staff assists Illinois facility in COVID-19 fight

Mike Waddington
Shameka Batchelor

Two Heritage Ministries employees have volunteered to help provide assistance in the fight against COVID-19 at an Illinois care facility.

Mike Waddington and Shameka Batchelor, registered nurses at The Park in Jamestown, will both be at Hearthstone for the next several weeks caring for residents in Hearthstone Communities, a Heritage affiliate in Woodstock, Ill., where there has been several cases of COVID-19 that has impacted both staff and residents.

“Through blanket testing of residents and staff, we learned of both employees and staff who were exhibiting absolutely no symptoms, but were testing positive as carriers of the COVID-19 virus at Hearthstone,” Jeremy Rutter, Heritage Chief Clinical Officer, said “Any resident who tested positive, but exhibited no symptoms was still placed into our COVID-19 quarantine unit, which is designed to continue to care with our residents with dedicated staff, so that no others are exposed. Any staff member who tested positive was immediately quarantined and was not able to work.” Between staff assigned to the quarantine unit who were unable to work in any other locations, and those staff who were quarantined and unable to work, Heritage made the decision to increase staffing levels at Hearthstone.

Heritage President and CEO Lisa Haglund said, “The work our employees do each day is heroic, but especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have worked tirelessly. During this difficult, and often stressful time, they and their families have sacrificed so that our residents can continue to receive the same compassionate care Hearthstone has always been known for.”

Heritage Ministries was founded as the Orphanage and Homes of the Free Methodist Church in 1886 and has grown from its original campus in Gerry, NY, to six locations in New York, with additional affiliations across the United States. As a not-for-profit provider of senior care and housing, Heritage is a leader in the industry, employing approximately 1,500 team members, and serving over 2,500 individuals annually. With locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Washington, Heritage and its affiliates provide rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, independent retirement housing, and assisted living. Homestead Stables provides intergenerational equestrian opportunities as well as boarding, training, lessons, and a therapeutic riding program. In addition, childcare is provided at two campuses, allowing for intergenerational programs. For more information on Heritage Ministries, please visit www.heritage1886.org.

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