The Kosciusko Community YMCA recently announced the promotion of Gretchen Smoker to the position of Director of Human Resources from Assistant to the CEO.
According to CEO Steve Jungbauer, as his assistant Smoker was resourceful and demonstrated outstanding leadership and organizational skills.
"She will provide excellent support and oversight for the YMCA's employees and will continue to work with the CEO on day to day operations and special projects," said Jungbauer.
Smoker was raised in Quito, Ecuador, where her parents are still missionaries. Smoker graduated from the Alliance Academy in Quito and then came to Grace College where she graduated in 1998 with a degree in Spanish and French Education.
Smoker taught Spanish at Wawasee High School, French and Spanish at Taylor University and has been an adjunct professor in the Department of Languages and Cultures at Grace College for the last six years.
She resides in Warsaw with her husband Luke and three children Evan, Braden and Rhea Smoker. Smoker has worked at the YMCA for two years.
The Kosciusko Community YMCA, a not-for-profit organization, provides community based programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all of Kosciusko County. All the efforts and offerings of the YMCA are guided by the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
The Kosciusko Community YMCA does not deny any youth, adult, or family membership or participation based on their inability to pay. Need-based scholarships are available.
Peabody Holds Veteran's Tribute
NORTH MANCHESTER - Last week more than 125 Peabody Retirement Community residents and family members, as well as community guests were honored with Grissom Air Guard Reserve's Honor Guard during a Veteran's Day Tribute. Also, delivering remarks from Grissom was Major Shane Toomay.
Peabody has more than160 residents and employees who are veterans, including a former Prisoner of War. Established in 1931, Peabody is fully licensed. The Presbyterian Church-affiliated campus is comprised of a 48-bed Memory Enhancement Center, 134 long term care beds, a 24 bed Transitional Care Unit, 124 assisted living residences and 57 cottage independent living homes.
Grossnickle Earns Accrediation
Grossnickle Eye Center Inc. achieved continued accrediation by the Accrediation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
Status as an accredited organization means Grossnickle Eye Center has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care, set by the accrediation association.
"We believe our patients deserve the best," said Diana Ostrom, RN, clinical administrator. "When you see our certificated of accrediation, you will know that the AAAHC, an independent, not-for-profit organization, has closely examined our facility and procedures. It means that we as an organization care enough about our patients to strive for the highest care possible."
Grossnickle Eye Center was awarded a three-year term of accrediation, which is the maximum alloted by the association. They have been contiuously accredited since 1990.
For more information call 800-992-6975.
Dr. Caughell Inducted as Fellow
Dr. Scott Caughell, optometrist, was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry on Nov. 14. In qualifying for and maintaining Fellowship, individuals are evaluated against the highest standards of professional competence. The letters FAAO (Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry) after an optometrist, scientist or other qualified personís name signify to colleagues and patients that rigorous qualifications for Fellowship have been met.
Currently less than 10 percent of eye doctors in the United States have completed the Fellowship process. Fellows are dedicated to practicing eye care at the highest levels which involves continued learning and excellence in the profession.
Dr. Caughell practices on the north side of Warsaw with Dr. Tabitha Temple. Dr. Caughell provides full scope eye care for children and adults. His is specially trained in pediatric children's eye care but also provides medical and visual eye care to patients of all ages. More about Dr. Caughell can be found at warsaweye.com More about the Academy of Optometry at www.aaopt.org
Senior Safety Seminar Set
Gardens at Lake City will host a Senior Safety Seminar. The event will take place on Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. and is open to the public.
This seminar is designed to help seniors recognize scams and protect themselves against crime. This will be presented by Warsaw Police Department. Topics to be discussed are: foreign lottery scams, telemarketing fraud, charity fraud, investment scams, travel club fraud, home repair scams, how to reduce unwanted scams and mail, burglary and crime prevention. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to 574-267-3873.
"This should be very beneficial to seniors and their families," stated Keith Wilson, residence director at Gardens at Lake City. "Crime is something we will be seeing a lot more of with the economy the way it is."
Gardens at Lake City is located off of 30 West right off of Parker Street.
Parkers Attend Pesticide Program
Parker Turf recently sent Gary and Kyle Parker to Purdue to attend the Purdue Pesticide Program where they completed the class and received their pesticide license from the Indiana State Chemical Office.
Parker Turf has also added residential/small business snow removal to their list of services.
