Wartburg’s 25th Passavant Society Luncheon Honors Members

Wartburg recently held its 25th annual Passavant Society luncheon to honor Wartburg Founder Rev. Dr. William Alfred Passavant’s rich legacy by recognizing individuals who have named Wartburg as a beneficiary in their estate plans. This annual luncheon is a celebration of love and gratitude to these generous donors and recognition of today’s benevolent members.

Wartburg Board Member, Rev. Eric O. Olsen, served as Master of Ceremonies for the wonderful event, where the newly inducted Passavant Society members received their elegant Passavant medals as well as a pin to wear in recognition of their benevolence. Recipients included Rev. Amandus J. Derr and Mrs. Carole Derr. Rev. Derr is Chair of the Wartburg Home Board of Directors and is a longtime partner to Wartburg and Robert and Jacqueline Welser. Mr. Welser is Wartburg’s Chief Information Officer since 2008 and is instrumental in maintaining Wartburg’s technical infrastructure.

Wartburg has a long history of caring, first for children when opened as The Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School over 150 years ago as well as seniors who began to live at Wartburg at the turn of the century. At the event, Mr. Gentner posthumously recognized Passavant Members who have passed in the last year, including Elizabeth Barlage.

The afternoon’s program included an update of new programs and services including an Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, a $1M renovation at their assisted living facility and a new program for the visually impaired in their Adult Day Care program. In addition, Paula Ress, Vice President and Nursing Home Administrator, spoke about the success of Wartburg’s sub-acute rehabilitation program which continues to get patients home faster and healthier with lower lengths of stay and rehospitalization rates and more individuals returning home compared to regional providers. Wartburg’s Skilled Nursing Facility was also named one of the “Best Nursing Homes in New York State” by U.S. News & World Report in 2017, for the seventh consecutive year and received a 5 Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid based on heath inspections, staff and quality measures.

Special guest speakers included, Mr. Ulrich J. Rosa, a member of the Wartburg Foundation Board of Directors and recent patient in their rehabilitation center following a total knee replacement. Mr. Rosa affirmed what Ms. Ress said and spoke of the innovative rehabilitative care that he received that enabled him to be back on the golf course much sooner than he anticipated. Rev. Dolores McKay, who recently retired from Wartburg’s spiritual care team in 2016 and a Passavant member, spoke about why she feels it is important to support Wartburg through estate gifts to ensure they continue to provide quality care for generations to come.

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