At a recent meeting, the Campaign’s Board discussed the many contributions of volunteers across the state who have made innumerable contributions to create the Campaign and keep it strong.   In this issue of the newsletter, we wanted to take a moment to recognize our unsung heroes!

            The Campaign was created in 1998 by two determined consumers and one exceptional advocate.  Lannette Nabb and Kitty Monit had loved ones in the Venoy Nursing Home in Wayne, Michigan.  Lannette and Kitty were relentless advocates with the facility, the state, and federal authorities to try to improve the quality of life and care in that troubled home.  When their efforts ultimately failed and the state ordered the closure of the facility, Lannette and Kitty turned their sadness, anger, and frustration into something positive.  With the guidance and assistance of Mike Connors, then asst. state ombudsman in CBCs Detroit office, they started the Michigan Campaign for Quality Care.  Until he left for California to continue his long term care advocacy work, Mike continued to chair Campaign meetings, provide authoritative and accessible information to consumers and policy makers, counsel hundreds of individual consumers, and establish the Campaign reputation for integrity and effectiveness.

            In those early days, Phyllis Moga, the daughter of a resident who fought to improve the care in her mother’s facility, became the statewide chairperson and local chapters sprang up around the state.  Nadene Mitcham chaired the Wayne County chapter and then stepped up to replace Phyllis when Phyllis, after countless hours of work for the Campaign, eventually resigned.  During her tenure as chair of the local and the statewide chapters, Nadene logged hundreds of miles, often with other consumers in tow, to attend hearings, rallies and meetings on behalf of the Campaign.  In her quietly dignified and straightforward way, Nadene explained how her family’s painful experiences in long term care facilities and her long struggle to assure her mother received quality care compelled her to be a voice for other long term care consumers.  

            In those first years of the Campaign, Lydia Rizzo was a fiery and effective advocate who significantly expanded our membership in Southeast Michigan.  No one surpassed Lydia’s energy, creativity, and determination! And Lydia persuaded her good friend, former Farmington Hills mayor Aldo Vagnozzi, to take over the Oakland County chapter where his genial charm and commitment to improving the lives of others furthered the Campaign’s goals and contributed to his eventual election to the state legislature.  Monika Jackson worked closely with Nadene and Lydia and courageously told the powerful story of the abuse her husband suffered in a nursing home to any legislator or journalist who would listen; when Monika spoke, everyone was spell-bound by her zeal punctuated by humor and pizzazz!  And relentless advocate Denise Bryant took the tragedy of her aunt’s death in a nursing home to publicize the dangers of bedrails, pushed through legislation requiring nursing homes to offer a standardized complaint form, shared her concerns with Congress, successfully pursued litigation in her aunt’s case to the Michigan Supreme Court, and started a foundation to provide free transportation to nursing home residents.

            On the west side of the state, long time, phenomenal local ombudsman, John Weir and consumers Carole Newburry, Charlene Hageman and Carla Bland started the still vibrant Kalamazoo chapter.  John also serves on the Campaign’s Executive Board. Carole became the Campaign’s secretary, took on the burdensome job of getting out our mailings six times a year, and is an integral part of all our Campaign efforts.  Carole introduced us to her daughter, Tina Nasers, who created and maintains the Campaign’s website.  Paul van Westrienen and his wife Barb were not only active in the Kalamazoo chapter but also started a chapter at the Oceana county nursing home where Barb’s sister resides.  Loyal, genial, and generous Paul continues to share his accounting skills as our Treasurer and provides breakfast at every statewide meeting!

            In recent years, Bill Mania has taken over the state chairperson role.  Bill’s own story is exceptionally compelling—after six years in a nursing home, Bill was able to transition out to his own apartment in an assisted living facility and he spends all his available time now serving as an advocate for other long term care consumers.  Bill was appointed by the Governor to serve on the state Long Term Care Supports and Services Advisory Commission and tapped by NCCNHR—the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care -- to speak to federal officials about the issues residents face.  And whenever you see Bill, you are likely to see his friend, advocate and Campaign member extraordinaire, Toni Wilson.  Toni, a former local ombudsman, was recognized with a national award last year for her compassion and uncompromising efforts on behalf of long term care consumers.  She serves on the Campaign’s Executive Board, chaired the Southeast Michigan chapter, and continues to write the Southeast chapter newsletter as well as taking on many other tasks for the Campaign.   Mary Katsarelas has been a stalwart of the SE Michigan chapter and handled the newsletter mailings for that chapter for 10 years.

            And there are still more people who contribute to the success and survival of the Campaign.  Roxanne Chang, an elder law attorney and psychologist, somehow finds the time to manage our email list, taking that job over from long-time member Steve Krikorian.  Local ombudsman Lois Hitchcock now chairs the Southeast Michigan chapter and, along with local ombudsmen Lacey Charboneau and Brittany Koziol has taken on several special initiatives.  Generous and loyal members including elder law attorneys Doug Chalgian, Amy Tripp, and Kelly Quardokus, Jim Bebermeyer, and Jim Gump and his family continue to encourage, assist, and support us. 

We salute and thank all the Campaign members whose contributions help us move forward in our goal of better care, better quality of life, and better choices for Michigan’s long term care consumers!

           This historical account of the Campaign was written by Alison Hirschel, statewide counsel for the Campaign.  Alison joined the founders of the Campaign early on and continues to be an energetic, passionate supporter of its goals.   She willing shares her knowledge and expertise not only with the Campaign, but with almost anyone who asks.

At a recent meeting, the Campaign’s Board discussed the many contributions of volunteers across the state who have made innumerable contributions to create the Campaign and keep it strong.   In this issue of the newsletter, we wanted to take a moment to recognize our unsung heroes!

            The Campaign was created in 1998 by two determined consumers and one exceptional advocate.  Lannette Nabb and Kitty Monit had loved ones in the Venoy Nursing Home in Wayne, Michigan.  Lannette and Kitty were relentless advocates with the facility, the state, and federal authorities to try to improve the quality of life and care in that troubled home.  When their efforts ultimately failed and the state ordered the closure of the facility, Lannette and Kitty turned their sadness, anger, and frustration into something positive.  With the guidance and assistance of Mike Connors, then asst. state ombudsman in CBCs Detroit office, they started the Michigan Campaign for Quality Care.  Until he left for California to continue his long term care advocacy work, Mike continued to chair Campaign meetings, provide authoritative and accessible information to consumers and policy makers, counsel hundreds of individual consumers, and establish the Campaign reputation for integrity and effectiveness.

            In those early days, Phyllis Moga, the daughter of a resident who fought to improve the care in her mother’s facility, became the statewide chairperson and local chapters sprang up around the state.  Nadene Mitcham chaired the Wayne County chapter and then stepped up to replace Phyllis when Phyllis, after countless hours of work for the Campaign, eventually resigned.  During her tenure as chair of the local and the statewide chapters, Nadene logged hundreds of miles, often with other consumers in tow, to attend hearings, rallies and meetings on behalf of the Campaign.  In her quietly dignified and straightforward way, Nadene explained how her family’s painful experiences in long term care facilities and her long struggle to assure her mother received quality care compelled her to be a voice for other long term care consumers.  

            In those first years of the Campaign, Lydia Rizzo was a fiery and effective advocate who significantly expanded our membership in Southeast Michigan.  No one surpassed Lydia’s energy, creativity, and determination! And Lydia persuaded her good friend, former Farmington Hills mayor Aldo Vagnozzi, to take over the Oakland County chapter where his genial charm and commitment to improving the lives of others furthered the Campaign’s goals and contributed to his eventual election to the state legislature.  Monika Jackson worked closely with Nadene and Lydia and courageously told the powerful story of the abuse her husband suffered in a nursing home to any legislator or journalist who would listen; when Monika spoke, everyone was spell-bound by her zeal punctuated by humor and pizzazz!  And relentless advocate Denise Bryant took the tragedy of her aunt’s death in a nursing home to publicize the dangers of bedrails, pushed through legislation requiring nursing homes to offer a standardized complaint form, shared her concerns with Congress, successfully pursued litigation in her aunt’s case to the Michigan Supreme Court, and started a foundation to provide free transportation to nursing home residents.

            On the west side of the state, long time, phenomenal local ombudsman, John Weir and consumers Carole Newburry, Charlene Hageman and Carla Bland started the still vibrant Kalamazoo chapter.  John also serves on the Campaign’s Executive Board. Carole became the Campaign’s secretary, took on the burdensome job of getting out our mailings six times a year, and is an integral part of all our Campaign efforts.  Carole introduced us to her daughter, Tina Nasers, who created and maintains the Campaign’s website.  Paul van Westrienen and his wife Barb were not only active in the Kalamazoo chapter but also started a chapter at the Oceana county nursing home where Barb’s sister resides.  Loyal, genial, and generous Paul continues to share his accounting skills as our Treasurer and provides breakfast at every statewide meeting!

            In recent years, Bill Mania has taken over the state chairperson role.  Bill’s own story is exceptionally compelling—after six years in a nursing home, Bill was able to transition out to his own apartment in an assisted living facility and he spends all his available time now serving as an advocate for other long term care consumers.  Bill was appointed by the Governor to serve on the state Long Term Care Supports and Services Advisory Commission and tapped by NCCNHR—the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care -- to speak to federal officials about the issues residents face.  And whenever you see Bill, you are likely to see his friend, advocate and Campaign member extraordinaire, Toni Wilson.  Toni, a former local ombudsman, was recognized with a national award last year for her compassion and uncompromising efforts on behalf of long term care consumers.  She serves on the Campaign’s Executive Board, chaired the Southeast Michigan chapter, and continues to write the Southeast chapter newsletter as well as taking on many other tasks for the Campaign.   Mary Katsarelas has been a stalwart of the SE Michigan chapter and handled the newsletter mailings for that chapter for 10 years.

            And there are still more people who contribute to the success and survival of the Campaign.  Roxanne Chang, an elder law attorney and psychologist, somehow finds the time to manage our email list, taking that job over from long-time member Steve Krikorian.  Local ombudsman Lois Hitchcock now chairs the Southeast Michigan chapter and, along with local ombudsmen Lacey Charboneau and Brittany Koziol has taken on several special initiatives.  Generous and loyal members including elder law attorneys Doug Chalgian, Amy Tripp, and Kelly Quardokus, Jim Bebermeyer, and Jim Gump and his family continue to encourage, assist, and support us. 

We salute and thank all the Campaign members whose contributions help us move forward in our goal of better care, better quality of life, and better choices for Michigan’s long term care consumers!

           This historical account of the Campaign was written by Alison Hirschel, statewide counsel for the Campaign.  Alison joined the founders of the Campaign early on and continues to be an energetic, passionate supporter of its goals.   She willing shares her knowledge and expertise not only with the Campaign, but with almost anyone who asks.