| Tom Thompson
Administrator – Good Shepherd Care Center By Caroline Snyder Mission – to embrace and apply to lives the
Benedictine
core values of Hospitality, Stewardship, Justice and Respect.
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| A garden of red and pink rose blossoms fragrance
the air
and welcome you at the entrance to Good Shepherd. The sunny patio
was filled with visitors and residents. Good Shepherd Care Center
(formerly Dayton’s Bluff Community Care Center) was officially blessed
on July 10, 2000 by Bishop Frederick F. Campbell. The Benedictine
Health System out of Duluth and Health East have combined their service
and support to give Good Shepherd Health Care Center a new
beginning.
The recurring theme throughout our conversation was
“diversity.”
Tom Thompson’s message to the community of Dayton’s Bluff is that
diversity
ultimately brings inclusion of all peoples regardless of race,
religion,
social status and ethnic background. Here at the care center it
is
practiced on an every day basis through the acts and deeds of the
volunteer
staff and employees.
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| Tom and his wife live in Lakeville in a home that Tom built
10 years
ago. He was born and raised in West St. Paul and was a resident
there
for 37 years. He served in the military in Vietnam as a medic in
the medical/surgical ICU and dispensary unit in 1970 and 1971. He
experienced the “mission of Good Shepherd” on a very personal basis
when
he delivered a Vietnamese child during the chaos and destruction all
around
him. The Vietnamese culture and diversity was revisited
once
again when he served as the Administrator at Galtier Nursing Home in
the
Midway. He instituted a new program for the care of the Southeast
Asian population. Prior to this there was not a care center in
place
that specialized in the Hmong and Vietnamese population. His
tenure
there was 5 years.
Graduating from Inver Hills Community College in health care middle management and nursing home administration, he served on the staff as administrator of other nursing homes in the urban community. He received his administrative license in 1976. Good Shepherd is open to all faiths. The ceremony of the “ name inauguration” was celebrated with the Bishop’s presence who officiated at the celebration of the Mass. The blessing of the new baptismal font was conducted and greetings from Bishop Campbell were welcomed. Sister Phyllips from St. Pascal’s parish received the honors for her selection of the name “Good Shepherd Care Center.” After the Mass, an open house took place and refreshments were served. Pictures were taken and the mood was very festive with piano and flute performances from guest musicians. The staff people, of which there are 160, and the 170 residents were especially grateful and kudos all around were expressed by everyone to the staff and volunteers. The facility has departments for each special need. There is an Alzheimer’s unit, a unit for the people with loss of memory due to the aging process, a unit for those who are mobile and less dependent and an intensive unit for long term care. People of all ages who are in transitional care from hospital to home are also given residency and care during their recuperating process. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. There are a few like a young mother in her early 20s who will bring her baby for weekly visits to give residents the opportunity to hold and emotionally bond on a regular basis. Then there is the elderly woman who is lonely and brings her dog to visit. She is rewarded in return with the enjoyment of companionship and conversation with the residents. Animals provide a much needed therapeutic service and visitors are encouraged to bring their pets for visits if they are trained and people oriented. If there were a special award of recognition and honor, Tom
Thompson
would like to give each and every volunteer an individual
award.
The complexion of a care center is evidenced through the daily
engagement
of staff with volunteers who are committed to the well being of all
residents.
Congratulations to Tom for his achievements and his dedication to the
health
needs of Dayton’s Bluff.
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