Author: Ryan Winiarski

Sarah Middlebrook: Twenty Years of Caring for Older Adults at UMRC

For twenty years, Sarah Middlebrook has served older adults at United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC). She was first hired as a caregiver at Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center while the state-of-the-art Towsley Village Memory Care Center was being built. Once completed, Sarah began working at Towsley Village as a Resident Care Assistant (RCA). “I really […]

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Three Journeys to Caregiving: CNA Career Pathway Program Provides Life-Changing Opportunity

Not long ago, three Kresge Center Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) had very different jobs. David Smith provided in-home care. Hannah Dunsmore cared for pets. Maggie Stafford waited tables. Then they learned about UMRC’s CNA Career Pathway Program. For each of them, the program has been life-changing. “I had been looking for a different direction,” says […]

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Janet Stover- Helping Older Adults at Huron Valley PACE

As the daughter of immigrants, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Janet Stover didn’t have her grandparents around when she was growing up. It’s why she loves working with older adults at UMRC’s Huron Valley PACE in Ypsilanti. “I love hearing their stories.” In her occupational therapy role at Huron Valley PACE, Janet helps participants live more […]

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Julia Szuper, Executive Director, Thome Rivertown Neighborhood Assisted Living A Passon for Serving Older Adults

Even during her first career as a customer service representative with Northwest Airlines, Julia Szuper’s favorite part of her job was working with older adults. Upon retiring from the airline, this mother of three decided to pursue her passion and completed her bachelor’s degree in gerontology at Madonna University in 2014. Since then, Julia has […]

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Bertie Hubbard, Dietary Aide, Chelsea Retirement Community ‘Caring is Sharing’

For 25 years, Bertie Hubbard from Dexter owned her own daycare and preschool. Today, Bertie serves older adults as a full-time dietary aide at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC). “Now, I have the big kids,” she laughs. Over the last six years at CRC, Bertie has built close relationships with the residents and knows many of […]

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“Birds of the Bible” Painting on Display at Chelsea Retirement Community

Self-taught Michigan artist Catherine McClung delighted an audience of Chelsea Retirement Community residents and local community members with her work entitled, “Birds of the Bible,” a watercolor mural now on display at Chelsea Retirement Community. This magnificent work took Catherine over two years to complete – the culmination of fourteen years of Bible study and […]

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