“To recognize, support and celebrate the qualities of the individual”

A Publication for Friends and Supporters of

TheOsageOOrangerange Groverove C Centerenter

“Healthy living includes “Healthy living includes productivity”productivity”Read about the staff wellness program, and how you too can change your lifestyle!

The many facets of The many facets of Orange Grove’s Orange Grove’s

Health Care ServicesHealth Care ServicesA look at the new mini dental clinic

Meet our doctors

Find out why staff return to OGC

Vol. 3, Issue 1January - April 2010

A quarterly publication of Orange Grove Center Inc. © 2009All rights reserved. No part of this newsletter (verbiage or photos) may be copied, used or reproduced without written permission.

Design: Leslie Smith, CoordinatorPublic Relations and Marketinglesmith@orangegrove.org

Photography: Dennis Wilkes OGC Art Dept.

Printer: Graphic Impressions Chattanooga, TN

THEOSAGE

Contents44 Take a look inside Augustus McCravey Health Care Services

55 Time for a change? Try Orange Grove’s Wellness Program

6-76-7 Around the Grove

88 AEDs purchased thanks to recent funding

88 Fox on board as new practitioner

99 Meet Doctors Husband and Compton

10-11 10-11 Why do they come back? Hear the stories of some of our staff who chose to return to OGC

Board of Directors

Dillard Edgemon President

Michael A. Barto Chairman

Bill LuskVice President

Susan Gouger RouseVice President

Thomas H. Cox Treasurer

Dr. Bruce HutchinsonAsst. Treasurer

Thomas A. CaldwellSecretary

John F. GermMember-At-Large

Herbert J. Haile, Jr.V.P., Building/Maintenance

Jerry SummersV.P., Legal Committee

Barton C. BurnsJohn BuhrmanLarry CashTom CoferHeidi HoffeckerDaniel J. LaGraffBill LuskSharon MatthewsHugh J. Moore, Jr.Andrew “Skip” NardoNeal PinkstonRosie RussellRichard Sadowitz, MDS. Scott ShortAvery SmithDr. Ben Tyber

HONORARY BOARDT. Hicks ArmorT. Maxfi eld BahnerCharles A. ComerMorton J. KentMrs. Helen C. MahnMrs. Emily C. McKenzieWilliam R. RussellMrs. Janet Strang

Page2

On the Cover:Tina Fox, nurse practitioner for OGC, looks into the ear of Richard Hallmark.

Page3Executive Director’s DeskFrom

the

“We boil at different degrees.”Ralph Waldo Emerson

IIf you had only fi fteen books in your library and wanted to consider the number of ways to arrange those books on a shelf, it may appear that there are a small number of options. However, there are a huge number of possibilities in this scenario. In

fact, there are over a trillion ways to arrange those fi fteen books.

Some people fi nd it mind-boggling that no two snowfl akes are alike. However, when you begin considering the number of water molecule combinations that can exist within one snowfl ake, the mathematics prove the assertion.

If Orange Grove had to live by just one edict it would be that the people we serve and their families have choices in a ser-vice delivery system. Choice is a primary component of our system because it guarantees empowerment and exemplifi es our respect for the people served. We trust that individuals and their families will make the decision that is ultimately best when properly informed of their choices.

I wish I could say that everyone affi liated with our work truly believed in this philosophy. Unfortunately, there are people in the human service arena that have predispositions as to what is best for individuals in need of services, and they deliberately attempt to remove options.

If you adhere strictly to what some, who consider themselves to be experts, say about the proper delivery of services to people with intellectual disabilities, then certain options in services would be eliminated. Some advocates would argue against Special Olympics because it is the quintessential segregated system. Some advocates argue against intermediate care because of the intensity of services and the connection of these services to facilities. Some advocates argue against sheltered employment, because of its segregated nature and the use of sub-minimum wage certifi cates. Orange Grove gladly welcomes these and many more service models for people to choose from.

We believe that a wide array of choices should exist and that is why we offer a full gamut of services designed to create good health, independence, satisfaction, vitality, dignity, and respect. When visitors spend a day witnessing Orange Grove at work, they inevitably comment on how different we are. They say that they have never seen such a wide array of pro-grams and services in one place. We have embraced every service model known to us and even added new dimensions to well-known service systems to satisfy the unique interests of the people we serve.

I suppose Orange Grove desires to be so different, because we recognize the unique qualities of the people we serve and realize we owe it to them to generate as many denominations of services as are possible. I leave you with a quote from Pope Benedict XVI at a gathering of youth with disabilities at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers.

“God has blessed you with life and with differing talents and gifts. Through these you are able to serve him and society in various ways. While some people’s contributions seem great and others’ more modest, the witness value of our efforts is always a sign of hope for everyone. Sometimes it is challenging to fi nd a reason for what appears only as a diffi culty to be overcome or even pain to be endured. Yet our faith helps us to break open the horizon beyond our own selves in order to see life as God does. God’s unconditional love, which bathes every human individual, points to a meaning and purpose for all human life.”

Kyle Hauth,

Executive Director

Page4PULSE POINTS: Health Care Services UpdateRick Rader, M.D.

The American poet Emerson offered that, “The fi rst wealth is health.” Even in these perilous fi nancial times one can easily appreciate the value of that observation.

Health Care Services at Orange Grove has been proactive in facing the future and has achieved several signifi cant milestones in the last quarter. We are delighted to announce that:

Dr. Betty Husband, an internist with many years of emergency medicine experience, will be joining us as our new medical director on January 1. As an ER physician, Dr. Husband had many patients with intellec-tual and developmental disabilities, and her interest in caring for this population on a full-term basis began to brew. She feels that treating patients with special needs is a return to the real roots of medicine, and she is excited about joining the Orange Grove health care team.

Dr. Kristin Compton will be joining Orange Grove as our Director of Dental Services. Dr. Compton is one of fi ve fellowship trained dentists in the area of adult developmental dentistry. She is a graduate of the University of Louisville Dental School and received her post-graduate training at the Underwood and Lee Clinic, a dental center specializing in adults with developmental disabilities.

We are delighted that Dr. Compton will be spearheading our dental ser-vices with support from a grant made possible by the Tennessee Coun-cil on Developmental Disabilities. Both Dr. Compton and Dr. Husband appreciate the oral-systemic health connection, and will be consulting with others to provide the best collaborative health care.

Through several gifts provided by TVA, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and Dr. Mack Worthington, we have acquired two new cardiac defi brillators, and upgraded a third unit. These units will be placed strategically throughout Orange Grove to provide an extra needed measure of support for our fi rst response to any cardiac events. Lynn Porter has initiated a training regimen to insure that the Orange Grove staff can properly access and apply this lifesaving technology.

Health Care Services was instrumental in fi rst advocating for our cli-ents as being a “priority population,” and securing adequate numbers of H1N1 vaccines. In addition to our clients receiving the injections, our staff (direct care staff and health care providers) has had the op-portunity to receive this protection.

Orange Grove was interviewed by USA Today as a model for a cen-ter that both advocates and protects their clients and staff in the area of health promotion. The Tennessee Department of Health was very sup-portive, cooperative and proactive in collaborating with us during our preparation for this vaccination activity.

The Orange Grove medical clinic is now accepting and providing for a new wave of patients into the clinic. Thanks to Tina Fox, our nurse prac-titioner, for her diligence, commitment and skills in helping to stream-line the activities in the clinic. Tina is a true refl ection of the goals and mission of both Orange Grove and health care.

Health Care Services Director, Lynn Porter, is working on adding a der-matology clinic to the other specialty clinics already being offered. The clinic will be under the clinical supervision of Dr. Randy Heisser, a fam-ily physician consultant at Orange Grove.

While the above activities are impressive, they refl ect both a philosophy, as well as a practice that is best described by Health Care Director Lynn Porter as being, “More than a clinic, we are a fully integrated center that understands, appreciates, and promotes the benefi ts of wellness as a way of life for both our patients and our staff.”

Jeanette Hames (left), Dental Clinic Manager, and Chris Reece, demon-strate toothbrushing techniques.

Stephanie Hawk, nurse for ICF/MR, administers a fl u shot to a patient.

Health Care Services staff, picture left to right: Juliet Moore, Debbie Mc-Gowan, Cheryl Setzer, Marg Neely, Tracy Wilkerson, Holly Massey, Re-becca Davis, Penny Smith, Tina Fox, Phyllis Vanallman, Cynthia Lane, and Lynn Porter, seated.

OGC staff wellness program kicks off with fairProgram effective January 2010

If you are currently making resolutions for the New Year, then you may want to consider trying Orange Grove’s new wellness program. The theme of the program is to “educate, support and promote healthier lifestyles.”

Workplace Wellness was established to encourage and motivate staff to adopt a regimen of diet, exercise and healthy living. The program stresses the importance of good health practices, participation in a higher quality of life and teamwork, embraces changes, and provides a safe, supportive work environment.

Healthy incentives, such as cash rewards and prizes, will be offered beginning January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010. Staff may earn up to a maximum of 100 points annually in the areas of well visit exams, weight management, preventative health, and exercise.

These are inclusive of everything from nutrition classes, Lunch and Learn sessions, smoking cessation, annual medical exams, dental and eye exams, cancer screenings, maintaining a weekly health journal, health risk assessments, and exercise components, such as community health walks and classes at the YMCA, Powerhouse, or other fi tness outlets.

A brochure outlining the program is available in Human Resources, or will be available in January online at www.orangegrovecenter.org for each staff member to track their points.

Kicking off the program was the annual Wellness Fair that was held at OGC. It featured over 20 vendors from varying local businesses and agencies. Staff were offered opportunities to sched-ule mammograms, speak with health, life and retirement insurance agents, receive rock/massage therapy, bone density and blood pressure screenings, eye and hearing exams, consult with a chiropractor, and to speak with debt management counselors and health and fi tness coaches.

Many in attendance also took advan-tage of the free TB test, which may soon be mandatory for all OGC staff.

Some of this year’s vendors included:BB&T and Trimble Insurance BlueCross BlueShield of TennesseeErlanger Health SystemSam’s ClubSiskin RehabilitationStone Henge ProductsThe RushMutual of AmericaMoore & King PharmacyNatural SolutionsConsumer Credit CounselingUT Family Practice

Workplace Wellness is sponsored by the Human Resources Department, and the Orange Grove Center Wellness Committee.

For more information, contact Daisy Seard at (423) 629-1451, ext. 2407, or email to wellness@orangegrove.org.

Photos from the Wellness Fair -

Above: Linda McKeel, of ICF/Carl Swaf-ford, tests her strength while visiting the Erlanger booth.

Top right to bottom: Tanya Tipton, of ICF/Dowlen, takes a load off by enjoying foot therapy.

Sandy Guffey of ICF, Carrie Hart of ACT, and Johnny Stokes of Res Hab, receive free rock therapy from Fred Harrison of Stone Henge Products.

Lisa Breedlove of Children’s Services waits patiently for the results of a chiro-practic test.

Erica Norwood, housemanager of Res Hab/Ely Road ladies home, grimaces as she is given a TB shot.

Page5

Page6Therapy Services

Mary Kitchens shows off baskets of tomatoes that were harvested from the garden.

Nurture Garden provides hands-on therapy for individuals

The Nurture Garden was created by the PNM team as a means to provide ICF/ID individuals activities in: sensory in-tegration, range of motion, functional use of hands and understanding nutri-tion.

Since then, the Nurture Garden has become more than a tool to provide therapeutic supports. It promotes inde-pendence, facilitates a work ethic, and encourages healthy eating habits.

Gerald Love plants herbs with the assistance of Lucy Stokely, OT.

Training videos build staff, individual relationships

Orange Grove Center is currently embarking on a new ven-ture that brings individuals served by the center into the hearts and minds of new employees. The project involves the production of training videos, which will be shown pri-or to the end of each employee orientation.

Melissa Lewis is the audiovisual technician of Orange Grove’s Physical and Nutritional Management Department (PNM), and spent months fi lming the 14 ICF/MR (Interme-diate Care Facilities) residences of those who are medically fragile.

Included in the videos is a segment called, “Who am I?” that allows the individuals served to give a brief introduc-tion of their personalities. Topics include their likes and dislikes.

Melissa said that this segment is to show, “Who the indi-vidual is, and what their needs are.”

She believes that new staff members need to know the hob-bies and daily activities of individuals in their care, because of the time they will be spending together.

“This is their home. This is family-style living. They should be as comfortable as possible,” she said.

Melissa also said the videos give new staff the base founda-tion and knowledge of the individuals with whom they will work. They act as a building block that is shown before the therapist teaches them more specifi c information about physical, occupational, speech language, physical educa-tion, and physical/nutritional therapy.

The videos are driven by the needs of the individuals, mak-ing them so important to Orange Grove. Each therapist evaluates the individuals that live in the 14 houses. The therapist also approves the material that is included in the videos to better cater to the needs of the individuals.

At present, the project is 50 percent complete. Melissa is also working on another project called, “Harmony through the Senses,” which provides training for staff in Residential Services the integration of sensory programming.

New project teaches Orange Grove students entrepreneurial skills based on the fundamentals of classroom instruction and recycling

Orange Grove Center has a new recycling loca-tion, but it is not where one might expect.

The center is home to the John F. Germ Recycling Center, and through a partnership with the City of Chattanooga, operates fi ve drop-off centers locally. Orange Grove staff and students have taken recycling one step further, with an in-class recycling effort called, Global Kidz, Inc.

The project is the brainchild of Lisa Breedlove, who teaches within Children’s Services at Orange Grove. Back in February, Breedlove introduced the program and integrated classroom training and entrepreneurial activities involving the recy-cling of paper and other unwanted materials. The goal is to occupy the students’ time with learning experiences. She believes that giving the students the opportunity to recycle will lead to the development of job skills later in life.

“They have done very well,” Breedlove said. “ Even the younger kids have learned hand-eye coordination. I feel like we’re going to do some-thing really big with this thing once we get it off the ground.”

Typically, an Orange Grove student must be 14-years-old to earn a wage, but younger students, despite not being paid, may recognize that the fun-damentals of recycling are good for the Earth.

Although Global Kidz, Inc. is still in the beginning stages, Breedlove’s students have already begun recycling a sizeable amount of both paper and aluminum cans. The students also shred paper and rinse cans to be recycled. Classroom curriculum remains the same, with the typical aca-demic work combined with the new project.

It is Lisa’s hope that the project continues to expand with more resources, such as a bigger paper shredder and can crushers.

Children’s Services

K. C. Conklin is assisted by Lisa Breedlove.

Center-Wide

Page7Around Around the Grovethe Grove

Recycling

Res Hab

TVA volunteers help make September memorable

Laura Smith, Doug Boone, and Alice Pollard, volun-teers from TVA, donated their time to the September to Remember Cookout and Festival.

They helped with the set up, break down and operation of game booths. The trio plan to bring more volunteers with them next year.

Campbell named Outstanding Direct Support Professional

Spencer Campbell, direct support staff at the Delas-hmitt Road home, won the quarterly award as Out-standing Direct Support Professional (DSP) for the State of Tennessee. Spencer was nominated by a par-ent for providing outstanding support to their son. He was presented a monetary award and certifi cate by Earl Foxx, Statewide Director of Direct Support Pro-fessionals Association of Tennessee (DSPAT).

Above: Misti Gipson, Re-cycling Operations Coor-dinator, helps Daisy Seard as she drops off a bag of materials to be shredded.

Right: Mark Gibson, left, and Turnae Watson sort paper moments before it reaches the shredder.

Recycling Center becomes site for secure document destruction

After 21 years in the recycling industry, Orange Grove has taken the next step in develop-ing markets and our expertise in the paper industry with document destruction.

On October 1, 2009, “Better Shred Than Read” was launched. This new venture em-ploys seven individuals, with the potential to employ more.

Services include:•Collection trucks equipped with GPS•National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) member•Secured Document Alliance (SDA) member•Paper is shredded to 5/16” (smaller than 5/8” industry standard)•Shredding process meets stringent federal specifi cations•HIPPA Business Associate Agreements •Closed-circuit video monitoring of all shredding •24-hour security monitoring and video storage for 90 days

All staff are trained on confi dentiality practices, required to pass state and federal back-ground checks, participate in random drug/alcohol testing, and are insured and bonded.

In turn, our customers are guaranteed:•Locking containers at no additional charge for storage of your confi dential documents •Scheduled collection of secure documents•Allowance of web-based viewing of documents being shredded•A Certifi cate of Destruction of all documents•All paper is pulped and recycled•Optimal customer service to ensure your satisfaction

To help kick things off, on November 18, Orange Grove hosted “Free Shred Day.” This marketing campaign was a success, resulting in numerous local residents and businesses dropping off more than 10,000 pounds of paper to be shredded that day.

To schedule service, or to learn more about Orange Grove’s se-cure document destruction, “Better Shred Than Read,” contact Misti Gipson, Recycling Operations Co-ordinator, at (423) 493-2949 or mgipson@orangegrove.org.

OGC receives funding to save lives

The McCravey Health Care Services Depart-ment is the recipient of funding toward the pur-chase of several much needed Automated Exter-nal Defribillators (AED).

AEDs are lifesaving devices that are used in medical emergencies to prevent heart failure. The devices will be used by trained staff only.

AEDs will be located in the Administration Building, the Recycling Center, and in Health Care Services. With additional funding, another may soon be obtained and placed in the Indus-trial Training Center.

Grants from the Community Trust Fund of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and Tennessee Valley Authority, and a contribution from Dr. Mack Worthington made this possible.

Fox joins the staff of Health Care Services

Orange Grove recently welcomed Tina Fox as its new nurse practitioner. Fox has 22 years of experience in health care, and her professional career includes working in intensive care, home health care, cardiac outpatient care and clinical consulting.

Here at Orange Grove, Fox sees an average of 10 to 20 patients daily. Her respon-sibilities include identifying, evaluating, and addressing disease prevention and health promotion issues, in relation to individuals served by the center.

She is responsible for diag-nosing and treating acute, chronic and long-term, health-related issues. Fox educates her patients and their caregivers about pre-ventative care, medical is-sues, and the use of prescribed medications.

Fox fi nds her job both rewarding and challenging, because the individual’s developmental dis-ability may hinder them from being able to voice their health issues. She believes that sharp assessment and listening skills are key to helping the individuals in her care, in addition to gathering information from the patient’s caregiver.

In 1987, the Muncie, IN, native became a registered nurse following graduation from Cleve-land State Community College. After a hiatus with her family, she went back to receive a master’s of science in nursing from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN.

Prior to Orange Grove, she was employed at Parkridge, Erlanger, and Memorial Hospitals, and at Unum and Interim Home Health.

Her husband, Edward, is also a registered nurse, and they have three sons.

Left to right: Kathy Bingham, Manager of Blue Cross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Founda-tion and Community Trust, Lynn Porter, NP-BC, and Director of McCravey Health Care Services, Dr. Mack Worthington, UT Family Practice, and Tina Fox, Nurse Practitioner for McCravey Health Care Services present one of the fi rst AEDs that was purchased by Orange Grove.

Lynn Porter, Director of McCravey Health Care Services, has a playful moment with Fox (right).

Health Care Services gets “heart smart” with new clinic

In addition to all the services offered at the McCravey Health Care Services, there is now a “Heart Smart Clinic” to monitor the function and progress of the hearts of those served by the center.

The clinic will serve as an educational tool toward prevention of heart disease and the de-crease in the likelihood of heart failure.

The program is operated by the medical doctor on staff and the nurse practitioner, who re-evaluate everything from cholesterol levels and lipid profi les, which contain LDL, HDL, tri-glycerides, and cholesterol.

They also look at the heart function through EKGs, and any at medications they may take or any co-morbidities. This procedure is scheduled every two years, and again, every three to six months, depending on client-specifi c needs.

The Heart Smart Clinic is another pro-active health program at Orange Grove.

Page8

Nurse Mary Morrison uses an EKG machine to monitor the heart of Lew Benton.

I grew up in Pikeville, KY, a very small town in eastern Kentucky. I graduated from Alice Lloyd College in 2003 with a bachelor of science in Biology, and a minor in Chemistry. I then moved to Louisville, KY, where I attended dental school at the University of Louisville, graduating in 2007 with a DMD (Doctor of Medical Dentistry).

I was born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi. My parents valued education. I knew from junior high school that I wanted to be a doctor to help others. Both of my parents had medical conditions that required frequent doctor visits. Both were in wheelchairs. I am familiar with the obstacles that must be overcome on even routine errands.

I attended Meridian Community College then graduated with my bachelor of sci-ence in Biological Engineering from Mississippi State University. I attended the University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson, MS. Then I completed my internal medicine residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

I had moonlighted for an emergency room group during residency. They hired me directly after completing my residency. I practiced emergency room medi-cine for the next nine years. I moved to Chattanooga in 1999 to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains. I primarily practiced at Parkridge, and later at Athens Regional Hospital. I also practiced at Memorial, Memorial Northpark, Skyridge, and Skyridge West.

In 2007, I transitioned to day shifts and occupational medicine at Erlanger’s Workforce. A secretary there introduced me to her brother-in-law on a hunch we were a good match. Nine months later in August 2008 Thomas and I were mar- ried. Nine months after that we had a beautiful baby boy, Brandon. He’s six months

old. His smiles and laughs make all the sleepless nights worthwhile. I enjoy walking the great local trails with them, with my pedometer at my side!

I was impressed on my fi rst tour of Orange Grove. I am pleased to be joining such a well-run organization fi lled with so many caring workers.

Betty Husband, MRO-C

Page9

Dr. Compton specializes in special needs dentistry, and is one of only six in the country to complete a special fellowship in the fi eld.

Dr. Husband has practiced in emergency rooms throughout Chattanooga.

Kristin Compton, DMD

I then pursued my passion of working with special needs patients, and obtained a fellowship in special needs dentistry to gain post-graduate training. My fellowship is the only one in the country for special needs patients, and I am one of only six graduates from this program.

I have experience treating patients including, but not limited to, Down’s syn-drome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X syndrome, Angelmann’s syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome. My patient’s intellectual disabilities have ranged from mild to severe/profound, and I have treated patients both in the clinic and the operating room.

My fellowship also included several rotations in extended medical areas including genetics, pediatric medicine, and neurology. I completed this Fellowship in July 2008. I have since been employed by Kool Smiles (general dentistry for kids) as an associate dentist, and am extremely excited to become a part of the Orange Grove Center family.

I am a member of the Louisville Dental Society, American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry. I have participated in Special Olympics activities, including MedFest, a screening for Special Olympics athletes for any dental disease, including urgent treatment needs.

I am not married, and have no children, but I do have a 6-year-old Jack Russell named Lexie.

Cox says she would not want to work anywhere else

Mary Lou Bergenback has spent a total of nine years on the staff of Orange Grove’s Children’s Services. In her fi rst fi ve years, she recalls having a “great classroom” of “seven sweet students with cerebal palsy, and two dedicated assistants,” according to Bergenback.

When she began teaching at OGC, she says she had a wonderful mentor named Debbie Sneed, who was a teacher within the Hamilton County School system. She left for Hamilton County Schools, which she says pays better. When she learned of an opening at Sneed’s school, the desire for better pay and working with her old friend again led her to leave Orange Grove.

During the time Bergenback was employed at Hamilton County, she subbed at OGC during the summers to stay in touch with my friends. A friend on staff told her about an opening in one of the classrooms. She reviewed her personal diary, and realized how unhappy she was in the public school system.

“My main complaint was not having enough assistants to carry out the children’s educational plans,” she said. “When I decided to return to OGC, I came to fi ll out my application. I walked through the front door and said out loud, “Honey, I’m home!” I don’t plan to teach any- where else.”

With the public school experience behind her, Bergenback says she made good friends with teachers, parents, and therapists. She says she developed self-confi dence, because her school’s principal regarded her as an expert on multi-handicapped children.

As a result, she was able to share her knowl-edge and experience that she acquired at OGC. This includes instructing her assistants on how to lift and position children, and training them in behavior modifi cation. She also shared in-formation with them about autism. In addi-tion, started the Foster Grandparent Program at her school, a program that remains active to date.

Bergenback says she prefers to work at OGC because there is more support from the principal, Darcy Owens, who taught at the center for many years before becoming the principal. She understands how challenging teaching can be.

“We are fortunate to have Jann Davis as the social worker for Chil-dren’s Services, because she schedules our annual meetings with par-ents and therapists,” she said. “At Hamilton County, I had to schedule my own annual meetings, and it was time consuming.”

Old friends, positive experiences led Bergenback to return to OGC’s classrooms

This section is devoted to staff who left Orange Grove for employment outside of the center, and returned to us because of their love of the individuals we serve.

in Ooltewah. She took her post in October 1982, working four days per week until May 1986. Cox was away fi ve years, and when she returned on July 14, 1986, her husband, Tom, had also come on board as a member of the board of directors.

“My heart remained here. My daughter was here as a service recipient, and she was in the residential program. I missed the OGC family atmosphere,” she said. “I called Mr. Cook, and asked if there were any openings. He put me right on board as a fi ll-in for the switchboard operator.”

An opening in the Industrial Training Center in 1987 marked her return to social work. In 1995, she transferred to Community Supports, but after fi ve years, with the assistance of Dr. Rick Rader, she transferred to her current position in Compliance.

“OGC is a fabulous place to work, and when you get out in the work world, there are so many more fringes here at OGC. The conditions are so pleasant. I would not want to work anywhere else until I re-tire, which could happen at any time, since I am past retiring age. I enjoy my work and all the people I

work with at OGC,” Cox said.

“OGC is the place from which I want to retire. I have many friends here, and the work is suited for me personally,” she said.

The beginning of Claudette Cox’s Orange Grove experience was in September 1970, the fi rst year her daughter, Donna, entered as a 7-year-old. Cox’s fi rst ten years began as a volunteer with Transportation, making name tags for every rider.

It was not long before Emily McKenzie, who was then the social worker and nursing director, per-suaded her to come on board as a social worker assistant. Cox accepted, and worked in the Social Services Department for around fi ve years. In 1976, she switched to the position of accreditation clerk, collecting documentation for OGC to apply for ac-creditation.

Her career ladder progressed into administrative assistant to Michael L. Cook, Executive Director. She worked diligently typing all documents for the beginning of Individual Program Plans for all indi-viduals served by the center. By August 14, 1981, Cox became overwhelmed with working long hours and weekends. She resigned due to exhaustion from long hours, and little intentions at the time of further employment outside the home.

As she enjoyed home life, exercise classes at the Y, freedom to travel abroad and to visit relatives, and volunteering in the community, a new opportunity presented itself. She was lured by a close friend, Dr. David Smith, who asked her to be the offi ce manager for his dental practice

Bergenback works on a class assignment with Leroy Robinson.

Cox enjoys a moment outdoors with her daughter, Donna.

Page10

Jenkins’ heart is with Orange Grove

Teresa Jenkins is a recogniz-able face and name around Orange Grove.

In 2001, she worked as head baker in Nutrition Services, a job she held for nearly four and a half years. In 2005, Jenkins was forced to make a career move when cost of living changes affected her ability to remain on staff. She decided to open a day care, but

within two weeks, her heart led her back to Orange Grove.

“I missed the clients,” Jenkins said. “My heart is here!”

During her absence, she also realized that Orange Grove was better suited for her. She had enjoyed working in Nutritional Services under Tracy Glenn, and had hoped to return to that department. When she came back, unfortunately, her old po-sition had been fi lled. She accepted a position as a personal assistant under Odell Tiller, working for one to two months with an individual who was employed at Komatsu.

Eventually, Jenkins would settle into her current position as assistant coordinator of the Recreation Department. In this role, she does everything from assisting with athletic events, such as Special Olympics, to daily gym and pool activities.

“I applied and I absolutely know that’s where I’m supposed to be,” she said. “I just love it. I guess that’s why I work so hard.”

Board of Directors

Dillard Edgemon was elected the 2009-2010 president of

the board of directors in May 2009, and has served on the board for 12 years.

Edgemon is a native of Mc-Minn County, and attended the University of Chattanooga. He began his business career with the Tennessee American Water Company, and served 44 years in various positions with the Ameri-can Water System throughout the eastern United States.

Upon retirement, he headed the Southern Regional Offi ce locat-ed in Charleston, WV, where he was president of American’s op-erating companies in Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Heidi R. Hoffecker recently joined the board of directors at

Orange Grove Center. Hoffecker is a shareholder at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz, PC.

She specializes in litigation and trial appellate practice in everything from medical malpractice long-term and administrative health care, to personal injury and property damage claims and defense of governmental tort and civil rights.

In 1996, Hoffecker received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tennessee College of Law, and a bachelor of arts from Maryville Col-

lege in 1990. She was admitted into the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Tennessee in 1997, and in Tennessee a year earlier.

She has a repertoire of winning defense verdicts in cases that have been tried. Hoffecker has also lent her knowledge of the court system to legal publications, contributing to Baker Donelson Litigation News and Tennessee Law Review, where she was also once a staff member.

She has had the honor of making presentations to the Defense Counsel Panel meeting for one of the largest privately owned nursing home chains in the country, and to the New York State Health Facilities Association in regards to nursing home litigation.

Hoffecker is a member of the Chattanooga, Tennessee, American and Federal Bar Associations, Defense Research Institute, Tennessee Defense Lawyer As-sociation, and the Ray L. Brock, Jr. and Robert E. Cooper American Inn of Court.

Goines’ passion to help people brought her back

Michelle Goines, a supervisor in ITC, has been with Orange Grove a total of three years.

Her fi rst year and a half, she supervised 13 men and women in the ITC production room next to Nutrition Services. She was responsible for keeping record of the attendance and distributing production work for each individual. She also assisted with each individual’s special needs.

The mother of two decided it was time to further her educa-tion by returning to college to pursue an associate degree in nursing at Chattanooga State. This would call for her to leave Orange Grove in order to devote herself full-time to her studies.

Goines returned to Orange Grove three months later, and now supervises an area of ITC where the men and women package and assemble a variety of products through con-tracts with local corporations.

“I have a passion to help people, and want to make a differ-ence in someone’s life,” Goines said.

Jenkins says OGC is where she is supposed to be.

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A publication ofORANGE GROVE CENTER615 Derby StreetChattanooga, TN 37404(423) 629-1451(423) 624-1294 (fax)www.orangegrovecenter.org

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Golf Tournament nets over $20,000 for the Tyber Building Fund

The second annual Jackie Tyber Memorial Golf Tournament brought in $20,560 toward the completion of renovations to the Tyber Building. This year’s tourney was attended by fewer participants, and remarkably brought in close to last year’s total.

Fifty-four players competed for a three-year lease on a 2009 BMW 328i, courtesy of BMW of Chattanooga, a 4-day/3-night Trump Taj Mahal vacation, and TaylorMade golf accessories.

A silent auction drew a portion of the total proceeds at $1,326, with items for bid, including autographed memorabilia from Vols coach Bruce Pearl and UTC’s Russ Huesman, a one-night stay at the Chattanooga Choo Choo/Holiday Inn, beverage packages courtesy of Athens Distributing, gift certifi cates for cooking classes, massages, and many other items donated by local businesses.

Sponsors for the event were The Children’s Dental Center of Atlanta and Chattem, and food was provided by The Acropolis Four Stars Grill. Budweiser of Chattanooga and Coca-Cola Bottling Company graciously supplied beverages throughout the event.

Special thanks to all everyone who donated items for the silent auction, and to Roper Corporation for their donation of a stove, which will be used in an Orange Grove group home. Extra special thanks to Dr. Ben Tyber, who returned to serve as chairman for the event, and to our staff and each of our individuals who volunteered their services for the day.

Larry Sample, Gerald Simmons, Mark Fus-co, and Ken Robertson enjoy a day away from work at the center.

Scott Ossewaarde (left), and son, Matthew, front) didn’t play, but (left to right) Ed Car-penter, Randall Farrell, Steve Patterson, and Kevin Redman represented Roper Corp.

Participants wait patiently for the shotgun start to begin the competition.

C NN C O