

by Paul Zappoli | Feb 9, 2022 | COVID-19, COVID-19 Resources
Montgomery Place follows the guidelines and recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and both the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Public Health. All Resident, Staff, Guests and Vendors, must be fully vaccinated to enter Montgomery Place. On...“Montgomery Place offers several ways our residents can pursue their personal interests, enjoying them with neighbors who share their values,” says Michael M. McGarry. “Our staff members dedicate themselves to providing the level of support and care each resident needs and wants.”
As a banker and community leader in Hyde Park, he served on the Board of Directors for 20 years including six as its Chair and 12 as its Treasurer. He has guided the strategic planning process so Montgomery Place can anticipate the expectations of new generations of older adults.
Michael possesses over 25 years’ of executive level finance, accounting and administrative experience in the nonprofit arena. “Just as our nurses, nursing assistants and caregivers tend to the physical needs of residents and patients, I apply that same diligence to the financial health of the organization to ensure that the programs and services on which they depend will be here for them now and in the years to come”, says Clark.
“Fostering relationships is the key to our success,” says Sheletta Sprouse, RN MSN, whose team is comprised of 18 nurses and 30 certified nursing assistants caring for residents in rehab and long-term care. “I also serve as the liaison with our medical director, who is on staff at University Chicago Medicine.”
She adds, “Earning a master’s degree in nursing with an executive concentration prepared me to lead healthcare programs at 5-star communities. With the velocity of changes in healthcare, especially for our most vulnerable, I frequently advocate for residents. So many insurers want to rush the healing process. My job is to secure approval for treatment plans that provide adequate time for our patients to heal, to gain strength before they return their homes.”
“Resident-satisfaction is our number one priority,” says Paul Zappoli, who honed that perspective and polished those skills in the extremely competitive hospitality and restaurant business. “We train our staff to constantly seek feedback to learn how they can improve. We strive to anticipate the needs and wishes of people who have travelled the world and want to continue an interesting lifestyle as they make Montgomery Place their home.”
“Where you live impacts how happily you live, and the happiness of our residents is our top priority,” says Stefanie Dziedzic, who combines her expertise in two fields—health and human services and business development—at Montgomery Place.
“We start by asking, ‘What’s important to you and how would you like to see yourself living in 10 years…20 years?’ When we understand someone’s priorities and preferences, we’re able to create with them a vision of life now and confidence about the future.”
Our layout designer is visiting friends in China. But rest assured the November issue will be delivered on time.
“Montgomery Place attracts people seeking an engaged lifestyle in a richly diverse community,” says Deborah Hart. As a catalyst for improvements that elevate Montgomery Place, her vision is shaped by her expertise leading retirement communities throughout the country, guiding innovation and quality to the people served by the people serving.
“We hire professionals who live in Hyde Park and nearby neighborhoods so employees can reap the rewards of working close to home while building strong personal connections with our residents,” states John Rurka who worked in the University of Chicago’s HR Department seven years ago. “Demonstrating an ability to collaborate and a desire to learn are key factors for employee success and resident satisfaction at Montgomery Place.”
“My role is to facilitate residents’ plans for programs at Montgomery Place and excursions to a wide variety of cultural destinations around Chicago. I touch every detail from availability of tickets and making reservations to lining up door-to-door transportation,” says Creshanna Henry, who supervised The Spa and Fitness Centre at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago for seven years. “We live in the ‘era of enjoying experiences,’ so I like to make the process of getting there fun and satisfying for our residents.”