When team members at Parmly Senior Housing & Services created ìAngel Care,î they knew they had a good idea. That idea contributed to Ecumen, the parent organization of Parmly, recently receiving the ìInnovation of the Yearî award from the Minnesota Health & Housing Alliance (MHHA), a trade organization that represents senior housing and service providers in Minnesota.

ìI am proud of the contributions our team members are making in taking new ideas and turning them into reality,î said Mary Cordts, executive director of the Parmly campus. ìOur profession plays such an important role in our area and itís essential that we are continually thinking of new ways to meet our communityís needs.î

ìThis is a much coveted award in our profession,î said Kathy Bakkenist, vice president of operations at Ecumen. ìIt is a tribute to the work being done at Parmly to enhance housing and services for those we serve.î

The ìInnovation of the Yearî award recognized the ìInnovation Station,î an online tool within Ecumen patterned after amazon.com, where employees can share and learn from each otherís ideas. Employees can also share ratings and comments on the innovations.

Parmlyís ìAngel Careî is a holistic approach for excellent care during the end-of-life journey in a long-term care setting.

An interdisciplinary task force at Parmly along with a community pastor developed the purpose, goals and strategies to implement unique end-of-life care. Walking together, residents, family, friends and staff share in the final passage. They accommodate the wishes of the dying and their loved ones in a peaceful environment, controlling pain and honoring their spirituality in a respectful end-of-life transition.

ìThe Innovation Station is a great way to break down geographic barriers and spur collaboration,î said Cordts. ìWe look forward to building upon the success that this award represents.î

Parmly Senior Housing & Services is a member of the Ecumen family of senior housing and services. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Ecumen and its members provide housing and services throughout Minnesota.