Hammond Health Services Marks 50th Anniversary
Hammond Health Services is celebrating 50 years of service and dedication to the community.
“It makes me smile when I think of the thousands of residents who have resided in our facility,” said Executive Director Laurie Edelman. “We have had the pleasure of getting to know each and every one of these people and becoming part of their family.”
The Wisconsin-based center’s roots go back to May 1975 when it was named American Heritage Care Center and owned by Village of Hammond. In 1997, the facility was purchased by Extendicare, and then by Fortis in 2015. The center did not change its name to Hammond Health Services until ownership transitioned to North Shore Health in 2017.
The skilled nursing facility was licensed for 67 beds with semi-private rooms in 1975. Today, Hammond holds a license for 50 beds and offers all private rooms. Additionally, Heritage Court, an assisted living facility, was built on the rear of the facility. Twelve apartments provide independence for residents, while giving them peace of mind that care staff are always on campus.
In 1995, a portion of the facility became a Memory Care Unit, serving dementia patients until the 2000s when it transitioned back to general skilled nursing care beds. Twelve years ago, the center went through a large remodel to offer a Transitional Care Rehabilitation Unit, allowing residents to receive therapy and return home.
Edelman has worked at Hammond for 27 years and seen many changes in the industry, from stricter regulations to more extensive staff training to being able to care for residents with complex medical conditions.
“As the Executive Director, my role has become much more clinical over the years,” she said. “But overall, providing structure and support for my team so that they can provide the best care for our residents, has remained the most important part of my job.”
The community came together to mark Hammond’s 50th anniversary at a celebration on May 14. The center’s longevity stems from the incredible care that the staff have provided to its residents and their families.
“This team continually looks ahead to make sure we’re growing and changing according to the needs of our community,” Edelman said. “We have wonderful partners that we work with to complement the services we provide. And we certainly couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers. So many people from this community come in day in and day out to help keep our residents connected to the community. We hope that the next 50 years are filled with the same devotion, love and kindness that has defined this facility since its very first day.”
See more pictures from Hammond’s 50th celebration on their Facebook page.
