Insights from Inez Kalle, Director of Nursing at Episcopal Homes
We are thrilled to share an unforgettable experience that unfolded when our Director of Nursing, Inez Kalle, represented our organization at the White House Long-Term Care Facility Summit in Washington, D.C. On July 18th, 2024.
The White House’s Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) invited the top three long-term care facilities in the nation for their high rates of vaccination acceptance which included Episcopal Homes of Minnesota.
The summit focused on respiratory virus vaccines and preparation for the 2024/2025 respiratory virus season ahead. Inez, with her years of dedication and practice within senior care, shared strategies and experiences that led to Episcopal Homes high vaccination rates for COVID-19, flu and RSV. All three facilities discussed their best practices from previous respiratory seasons in collaborating with residents to achieve high rates of vaccination.
Inez summarized our achievement, stating: “It was about trust, education, transparency, and information.” These core principles guided our approach to vaccination, ensuring that our residents and staff were well-informed and confident in their decisions. We prioritized open communication, providing clear and reliable information about the vaccines’ safety and efficacy. Our medical director made rounds and helped answer questions about COVID-19 and the vaccine to help ease people’s concerns. This transparency fostered trust among our community, empowering everyone to make informed choices for their health.
Moving forward, Inez will continue to collaborate as a partner with others from the Summit to collectively protect the health of long-term care residents, their families, and the staff who care for them, ahead of the upcoming respiratory season.
As we reflect on our part in keeping residents safe, it underscores our commitment to upholding the highest standards of care and safety for our residents, staff, and the community at large.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Inez for representing Episcopal Homes with grace, passion, and unwavering dedication. Her presence at the Summit exemplified the spirit of excellence that defines our organization, and we are immensely proud to have her leadership guiding us forward.