Press Releases

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Tim Johnson Elected to VANHA Board

Tim Johnson, President and CEO of Covenant Woods Continuing Care Retirement Community, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of The Virginia Association of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging (VANHA).  Tim will complete a one year term as a member of the class of 2010, and then stand for re-election to a 3-year term on the 11 member board.

The Virginia Association of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging (VANHA) is a statewide organization of not-for-profit retirement housing facilities, adult care residences, nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities. Facilities are sponsored by a variety of religious, fraternal, public and private organizations dedicated to providing quality care and services to the elderly.

VANHA was founded in 1973 by nursing home administrators who believed that non- profit homes were unique in their needs and resources and required their own organization. VANHA is proud to have served the State of Virginia elderly for over 30 years. Since it's beginning, over 100 facilities, representing over 15,000 residents, administrators, staff and boards, and over 100 affiliate members have joined VANHA. VANHA has a central office with a full-time president and support staff in Richmond.

Johnson joined Covenant Woods in 2001 and worked with the Board to steer the organizations’ transition from The Richmond Home for Ladies in Richmond’s’ fan to Covenant Woods in Mechanicsville.  He holds and an MBA in Business Administration from University of Dayton and undergraduate degree in Medical Technology (BSMT) from Wright State University in Dayton, OH. A native of Ohio, he is licensed in Nursing Home Administration in both Ohio and Virginia.  He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the American College of Healthcare Administrators (ACHA). Tim has over thirty-six years of healthcare experience with twenty-five years at the senior executive level.

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$2,500 in Scholarships Awarded

The Board of Director's awarded the, J. Edwin Givens Educational Scholarship to employees, Rebecca Baker and Andrea Fogleman at their June 24 meeting.  In honor of the over 40 years of service to Covenant Woods, the former Richmond Home for Ladies, by  J. Edwin Givens, Covenant Woods raises and distributes scholarship funds to support the continuing education of its employees.  Beginning this year, the J. Edwin Givens Educational Scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving employee(s) wishing to further their higher education.

Board Development Chair Emily Elmore said of candidates, "The caliber of applicants was impressive and it shows just what wonderful and dedicated employees we have."

Andrea Fogleman graduated from Hanover High School this month and is planning to pursue a degree in Business and English at North Carolina State University.  Andrea has worked in the Dining department since 2006.

Becky Baker attends J. Sargeant Reynolds and is pursuing an A.A.S. degree with the goal of becoming an RN.  Becky works in the Housekeeping department and has been with Covenant Woods since 2002.

In keeping with Covenant Woods commitment to supporting the Hanover community and the nursing field scholarships were also awarded to three students of the Hanover High School Nursing Program that will continue their education at J. Sargeant Reynolds.  The recipients include Taylor Marrin and Katie LaCroix from Lee Davis and Skylar Gallagher from Hanover High.

Each scholarship recipient has been awarded $500 to use towards their educational expenses for a total of $2,500 in scholarships.  Since 2003 Covenant Woods has awarded over $10,000 in scholarships and over $19,000 in tuition reimbursement.

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Covenant Woods Announces 2009-2010 Board of Director Elections

The Board of Directors’ membership for 2009-2010 has been elected for Covenant Woods Continuing Care Retirement Community.  The senior living community in Hanover County has named Leslie A. Shimer as Chairman of the Board, James D. Elliott, Jr. as Vice Chairman, and Carlene M. Bass as Secretary.  Newly elected to the twenty-two member Board, for the three year term are Susan Drumwright, Jack Mitchell, Helen Gales, and J.T. “Jack” Ward.  Mr. Mitchell as Resident Council (RC) President will serve on the Board during his RC term, making this the first time in Covenant Woods 125 year history to have a resident on the Board.

Mrs. Shimer is a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology.  A graduate from Boston College with a M.A. in counseling and a J.D. degree, Mrs. Shimer worked for several years in private practice concentrating in estate and trust work.  She has also worked for Bank of America and its predecessors for sixteen years in the private bank focusing on estate and trust administration.  Mrs. Shimer is a member and Secretary of Richmond Estate Planning Council; a member of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church and has served as a moderator of Board of Deacons, and served on the stewardship committee, the endowment committee and on the Sunday school committee. 

Mr. Elliott is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute and an active participant in the Keydet Club.  He is an elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he has been a member since childhood.  Mr. Elliott has served on many key committees of the church, including those responsible for stewardship, worship and a capital funds campaign; he also has served on the church’s foundation board.  Jim began a career in the financial services industry with the Bank of Virginia in 1986.  Currently, he is a bond specialist with BB & T Capital Markets in Richmond.  He has assisted in fund raising for the Steward School and been a participant in Boy Scouts Council and Indian Guides Board.  An avid hunter, Jim serves on the Board of the Virginia Wildlife Foundation.

Mrs. Bass is a graduate of Mary Washington College with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology.  She is a lifelong resident of Ashland and a retired Hanover County Public School teacher.  Mrs. Bass has volunteered for many years in Ashland and Hanover County with groups such as Ashland Junior Women’s Club, Hanover Arts & Activities Center, Hanover Mental Health Association, and Randolph-Macon College.  She is a long time active member of the Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church serving in many capacities, including Chairman of the Administrative Board, and is currently, a trustee of the church.

Mrs. Drumwright is a member of the Third Presbyterian Church and a graduate of Union Theological Seminary – Presbyterian School of Christian Education where she received a Masters Degree. She is also a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she received a Masters Degree in Social Work.  Her undergraduate Bachelors of Science degree was obtained from James Madison University.  Mrs. Drumwright has been the Director of Children’s Ministry, Third Presbyterian Church; worked with the Richmond City Department of Social Services; and was a case worker with the Prince William Department of Social Services.

Ms. Gales received her MSA in administration with a minor in health care concentration from Central Michigan University, her BSPA in professional arts from St. Joseph’s College and her nursing degree from Jameson Memorial School of Nursing.  She worked for McGuire Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Richmond from 1980 to 2002 and held several positions; and has been affiliated with a number of other medical and nursing home facilities in the state of Virginia.  Ms. Gales is an active member of the Virginia Hospital Association, a community service faculty member of Thomas Nelson Community College and was a volunteer with the East Hanover Rescue Squad Auxiliary.

Mr. Mitchell and his wife Jo have been residents of Covenant Woods since 2005.  He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church and is currently a member of Fairfield Presbyterian Church. Mr. Mitchell is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnical Institute with a Bachelors of Science in electrical engineering.  He worked for Virginia Power for 40 years and served in Korea while in the Army during that period of time.  He teaches Sunday school, was an active kayaker and canoeist. He enjoys working with computers and assisting fellow residents with their computers.

Mr. Ward is a retired career pharmacist, specifically in the downtown Mechanicsville area.  He served as chairman of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, in 1993, 1997, 2000 and 2001.  Mr. Ward has served on the Hanover Planning Commission, the Metropolitan Crime Study Committee, and represented Hanover on the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Partnership.  He is active with the Virginia Association of Counties, and was President in 2000.  In 2001 he was elected to serve Virginia on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Counties.  He retired from the Bon Secours Richmond Health Systems where he served six years as an Executive Assistant in the Administrative Offices.

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Covenant Woods Board Member honored with Hill-Tucker Award

Covenant Woods’ Board Member, O. Randolph “Randy” Rollins, received the Richmond Bar Association’s Hill-Tucker Public Service award at the Bar’s March luncheon.  Rollins was selected for the Award for his work with Drive-to-Work, a non-profit that he founded.  Drive-to-Work assists low income and previously incarcerated persons to restore their driving privileges.  In areas without public transportation driving is the key in finding and maintaining work. Since its founding in 2007 Drive-to-Work has assisted 65 individuals in restoring their driving privileges, all of which have been able to obtain a new job, and have 261 clients with whom they are currently working.

The Hill-Tucker award is presented annually to a Bar member that has shown dedication to their community beyond the practice of law and is named for its first recipients, Oliver Hill and Samuel Tucker.

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Covenant Woods' employees lose over 6% of their body weight!

Eight weeks ago, the Fitness and Wellness center at Covenant Woods announced an employee Biggest Loser Challenge.  28 people stepped up to the challenge and when the top three losers finished, they were missing a total of 611⁄2 pounds but they didn’t seem to mind.

During the eight weeks, employees were encouraged to go to the gym at Covenant Woods, take employee fitness classes and meet with Elizabeth Thurston, Covenant Woods Fitness and Wellness Coordinator for healthy lifestyle tips.

After meeting with Thurston, Harold Smith, in transportation, learned that many of his daily food choices were full of calories and little nutritional value.  One easy change for Smith was going from sugary cereals to healthier options like Total and Cheerios.  Little changes like this turned into big results for Harold losing 17 pounds during the eight week challenge.  “It’s motivating to see such a big change so quickly.  It showed me that I could loose the weight and encouraged me to get to the gym and see what I was capable of.”

 Ginny Bishop, Fitness and Wellness Instructor said, “During the eight weeks, the contestants were on their own but were able to meet with us to learn how to work different muscle groups and burn calories.  For some, this was completely new territory.  We loved being able to help and give advice along the way!”

The top three winners came from nursing: Sharon Miller, Sonie Porter and Jerlean Theragood.  Miller said of her weight loss, “It has been a lifestyle change but I feel healthier and am having fun wearing clothes I haven’t been able to in years.  I’m looking forward to losing more and going shopping!” 

When asked how Miller found the motivation to strive for first place, she said, “My biggest fans throughout the challenge were and continue being my Health Care residents and coworkers.”

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Covenant Woods Resident Artists on Display

Winnie and Billy Vial moved to Covenant Woods in 2001 and had many hobbies including square dancing and playing the piano but painting was certainly not one. Fast forward 7 years and the Vial’s are presenting their first art show.

Curious about a watercolor class at Covenant Woods, taught by fellow resident, Libby Taylor, Winnie decided to try her hand at it. “I was quickly surprised at what I was able to produce and really enjoyed the class. Fours years later I am refining my style and having fun.” says Winnie.

Winnie was able to persuade Billy to join the group the following year and the couple was recently asked to do a show together. The Vials’ 24 piece collection will be on display in Covenant Woods’ rotating gallery the month of May for residents, staff and guests to enjoy.

You will find that some of their work may look familiar as they paint scenes of area landmarks and replicate the work of well-known artists to help fine tune perspective and shading techniques. “No one is expected to create a master piece but many have come pretty close,” Taylor says as the Vials’ work is being hung for the show.

The watercolor class is one of the many activities offered to residents to continue past interests and explore new ones. “We have about 400 programs and activities offered during any given month for our residents to participate in such as woodworking, educational classes and trips to places of interest in and around Richmond,” commented Meghan Horan, Director of Recreation.

Stepping back and looking at their work the Vials said, “We are both very grateful to Libby Taylor for her instructions and patience. We’ve had such a great time and are really happy that we just gave it a try.”

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Covenant Woods Announces 2008 - 2009 Board of Directors

The Board of Directors’ membership for 2008-2009 has been elected for Covenant Woods Continuing Care Retirement Community. The senior living community in Hanover County has named Joseph E. Marshburn as Chairman of the Board, Leslie A. Shimer as Vice Chairman, and Mary Vaughan Francis as Secretary. Newly elected to the twenty-one member Board, for the three year term are Peggie L. Atkins, Jimmy T. Mills, Rev. Margie Turbyfill and Thelma Bland Watson.

Mr. Marshburn is a graduate of Richmond Professional Institute with a B.S. Degree in Business, and retired as Chief of Purchasing for Plant and Construction for Reynolds Metals. He has 27 years experience in the procurement of engineering, maintenance and construction services, and the development and direction of policies and procedures related to procurement activities. Mr. Marshburn is a certified purchasing manager, past president of Old Dominion Purchasing Management Association and past director of National Affairs and National Association of Purchasing Managers. He is an active member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, and first became a member of the Covenant Woods Board of Directors in 1999.

Mrs. Shimer is a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a B.S. Degree in Psychology; a graduate from Boston College with a M.A. degree in counseling, and a J.D. degree. She has worked for Bank of America and its predecessors for sixteen years focusing on estate and trust administration. Mrs. Shimer has also worked for several years in private practice concentrating in estate and trust work. She is a member of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church and has served as a moderator of Board of Deacons; and served on the stewardship, endowment and Sunday school committees. She is also Secretary of Richmond Estate Planning Council and became a member of the Covenant Woods Board of Directors in 2005.

Ms. Francis attended Virginia Commonwealth University and was with the Virginia Department of Health for forty-one years as a health planner, assistant director and director of Division of Licensing and Certification (now Center for Quality Health Services & Consumer Protection). She wrote and implemented state licensing and federal certification laws and regulations pertaining to general, maternity and outpatient surgical hospitals; nursing homes, Medicare and Medicaid providers of hospital, hospice, laboratory and other health care provider services. Ms. Francis was also instrumental in implementing a number of Federal training programs to improve rehabilitative nursing, dietary services in nursing homes and initiate patient care planning and assessments in medical and nursing facilities. Ms. Francis is on the Board of Directors of Bainbridge Community Ministry and Forest Oaks Homeowner Association. She is an active member of Central United Methodist Church, Covenant Woods’ Guild and became a member of the Covenant Woods Board of Directors in 2005.

Peggie Atkins recently retired as Director of Foundation Relations at Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education. During her 25-year career at Union-PSCE, she served as Director of Donor Stewardship, Associate Director of Development, and Interim Director of Development. She is a Registered Parliamentarian and continues both professionally and as a volunteer, to teach, serve as by-laws consultant and parliamentarian for local and state organizations. She was active in the Virginia Federation of Women’s Club, serving in leadership positions at the local, district, and state levels. Mrs. Atkins is a long-time member of Welborne United Methodist Church and is currently the chairman of the worship committee.

Mr. Mills is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College and Virginia Commonwealth University. He owns Infrastructure and Highway Solutions to provide services to Contractors, Consulting Engineering, Management and Government Agencies to address transportation and other infrastructure issues. He has close to 40 years experience working for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Transportation. Mr. Mills is a member of Lakeside United Methodist Church and is working to plant a new Methodist Church in Massaponax, Virginia.

Rev. Turbyfill is the pre-ministerial supervisor of the L. Purnell Bailey Scholarship Program at Randolph-Macon College. She has a B.A. from Duke University and a M.Div. from The Divinity School at Duke.

Thelma Watson is the executive director of Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging. Dr. Watson attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she received a Ph.D in Public Policy and Administration and a graduate degree in Gerontology. She received an undergraduate degree in Sociology/Social Work from Virginia State University. Dr. Watson has also served as executive director of Field Service for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and Commissioner of the Va. Department for the Aging.

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