Stella Maris
Stella Maris
"I was so proud to witness, but certainly not surprised, that our staff and supporters truly gave their all..."
While visible changes occurred to the way we managed our services, the invisible effects of the COVID lockdown also made an impact on our culture. Suddenly our residents, many of whom are vulnerable seniors, were cut off from their friends and family. All communal activities were cancelled. Movement was restricted. Appointments were limited to critical cases only. There were staffing shortages as people quarantined awaiting test results. Before the vaccine became available, even holding someone’s hand or sharing a comforting hug presented a serious risk to their health and safety.
As anxieties and uncertainties ran high, the staff at Stella Maris continued to provide excellent physical care, but also gave extra attention to providing emotional support. Many staff were redirected from their day jobs to deliver meals, conduct screenings, and check in on patients who needed assistance. Our Music Therapist could no longer visit individual neighborhoods on campus, so she played various instruments in the on-site chapel three days a week, and her performances were broadcast on the campus’ closed caption TV channel.
For the first time ever, Stella Maris began offering Zoom calls to connect residents to their support networks. Families were invited to walk around the campus and conduct “window visits” where they could stand outside and wave to their senior. Worship services were offered virtually. Every care and precaution was taken to continue serving people with dignity and remain safe.
“I was so proud to witness, but certainly not surprised, that our staff and supporters truly gave their all, as they assumed new roles and responsibilities as need arose,” said Crystal Hickey, the new Executive Director of Stella Maris. “Many team members stayed late into the evenings after long days, acting as runners who collected items from families’ cars and hand-delivered them to our residents’ doors while visitation was limited. Time and again there were examples of the courage, compassion, and community that makes Stella Maris so special; I continue to be incredibly proud of this resilient team.”
Tracey Veihmeyer, Director of Development at Stella Maris, said, “Crafters from the local community dropped off hand-sewn masks during supply shortages. Charm City Marine Canvas, whose business is to manufacture ship sails, converted materials and worked with local partners to donate 30 custom-made face shields to our staff. Many of our Crab Feast sponsors donated their meals back to our front line workers in gratitude for their service. We are so grateful for our supporters.”
We consider it fortunate that we were able to continue providing skilled care and services at a time when so many other skilled nursing facilities had to shut their doors. While the Governor’s executive order to restrict gatherings was in place, our Senior Day Care Center closed; however, on a daily basis during Fiscal Year 2021, we called
“I was so proud to witness, but certainly not surprised, that our staff and supporters truly gave their all, as they assumed new roles and responsibilities as need arose,” said Crystal Hickey, the new Executive Director of Stella Maris. “Many team members stayed late into the evenings after long days, acting as runners who collected items from families’ cars and hand-delivered them to our residents’ doors while visitation was limited. Time and again there were examples of the courage, compassion, and community that makes Stella Maris so special; I continue to be incredibly proud of this resilient team.”
Tracey Veihmeyer, Director of Development at Stella Maris, said, “Crafters from the local community dropped off hand-sewn masks during supply shortages. Charm City Marine Canvas, whose business is to manufacture ship sails, converted materials and worked with local partners to donate 30 custom-made face shields to our staff. Many of our Crab Feast sponsors donated their meals back to our front line workers in gratitude for their service. We are so grateful for our supporters.”
these patients to check up on them, and before closing this program, we connected them with other resources for support. While demand for our long-term care services has since decreased as people are electing to remain in their homes, enthusiasm for our home care and rehabilitation services grew exponentially. The increased volume for those services—along with generous funding from our donors—provides critically needed support for our budget during the economic downturn.
Excitingly, our new Sister Mary Karen McNally, RSM, Rehabilitation Center has exploded in popularity. This state-of-the-art space offers private rooms, hands-free doors, and cutting-edge therapy modalities. Completing this facility and operating it safely in the midst of a pandemic was made possible thanks to generous donors who provided $10 million in contributions to see this project come to fruition. Every day, our patients benefit from this generosity in real and tangible ways.
“The therapy team at Stella Maris is extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic,” said Lisa Holley, a rehabilitation patient. “My goal when I arrived was to learn how to walk without an assistive device. I feel safe and confident in the Bioness Vector Gait & Safety System; it’s helped me improve my balance, gait, and sense of security. I’m grateful for the staff who worked so hard to see me get back to the person I’m used to being!”
Going forward, whether in good or challenging times, Stella Maris is committed to caring for families, where the safety, dignity, and comfort of those we serve is our chief priority.
We consider it fortunate that we were able to continue providing skilled care and services at a time when so many other skilled nursing facilities had to shut their doors. While the Governor’s executive order to restrict gatherings was in place, our Senior Day Care Center closed; however, on a daily basis during Fiscal Year 2021, we called these patients to check up on them, and before closing this program, we connected them with other resources for support. While demand for our long-term care services has since decreased as people are electing to remain in their homes, enthusiasm for our home care and rehabilitation services grew exponentially. The increased volume for those services—along with generous funding from our donors—provides critically needed support for our budget during the economic downturn.
Excitingly, our new Sister Mary Karen McNally, RSM, Rehabilitation Center has exploded in popularity. This state-of-the-art space offers private rooms, hands-free doors, and cutting-edge therapy modalities. Completing this facility and operating it safely in the midst of a pandemic was made possible thanks to generous donors who provided $10 million in contributions to see this project come to fruition. Every day, our patients benefit from this generosity in real and tangible ways.
“The therapy team at Stella Maris is extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic,” said Lisa Holley, a rehabilitation patient. “My goal when I arrived was to learn how to walk without an assistive device. I feel safe and confident in the Bioness Vector Gait & Safety System; it’s helped me improve my balance, gait, and sense of security. I’m grateful for the staff who worked so hard to see me get back to the person I’m used to being!”
Going forward, whether in good or challenging times, Stella Maris is committed to caring for families, where the safety, dignity, and comfort of those we serve is our chief priority.
For its outstanding work in Fiscal Year 2021, Stella Maris was recognized as the Employer of the Year by Baltimore County’s Commission on Disability. This award lauds an agency that has hired and trained people with disabilities and promotes employment opportunities. Several years ago, the Human Resources department at Stella Maris established a relationship with The Arc of Baltimore. Since then, we have had the true blessing to employ many, many wonderful differently abled staff who have since become a part of our family.
Stella Maris Salutes
John R. Cochran III
for his 12 years (2009-2021) of exemplary service to the Stella Maris Advisory Board, including 8 years as its Chairman (2013-2021). John provided leadership support to several key fundraising efforts during his service, including the role of Chair for the successful $10 million capital campaign to construct the new Sister Mary Karen McNally, RSM, Rehabilitation Center.
Stella Maris Advisory Board
The following volunteer leaders play instrumental roles in supporting the mission and philanthropic goals of Stella Maris. We are extremely grateful for their gift of service.
Karen D. McGraw, Chair
Sister Helen Amos, RSM
Thomas C. Barranco
A. Richard Bastinelli
Frank D. Boston, III, Esq.
Robert T. Cawley
Asuntha Chiang-Smith
Sonia Cho, Esq.
Hannah Lowe Corman
Gail Cunningham, M.D.
Anthony Day
David Denton
Elizabeth Donahoo, M.D.
Sonia Fierro-Luperini, M.D.
Thomas M. Galloway
Reverend John Geaney, CSP
Gino J. Gemignani, Jr.
Lisa K. Gobrecht
Jill Golueke
Lloyd L. Haak
Cooper Henry
Crystal Hickey, LNHA
Eileen Simonson Hiebler
Daniel Joerres
Lawrence E. Julio
Roger T. Lawrence
George Everett Lowe, M.D.
David N. Maine, M.D.
Charles L. Maskell, Jr.
Marguerite E. Mugge
Carroll Nordhoff
P. Sean O’Conor, Chair, Nominating Committee
Patrick V. Trotta, Chair, Community Relations Committee
Sister M. Karen McNally, RSM, Emeritus
New Leadership
After a successful Fiscal Year 2021, Stella Maris welcomed new leadership.
Crystal Hickey was appointed Executive Director of Stella Maris in July. She initially joined the Stella Maris Executive team in October of 2010 as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources. She holds a Master’s degree in Management from Notre Dame of Maryland University and earned her Maryland Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) license under the auspices of the Board of State Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators in 2021. Her decades-long career in eldercare includes various leadership positions at the Charlestown and Riderwood campuses of Erickson Retirement Communities.
Elizabeth “Lisa” Reynolds, RN, recently became Vice President of Nursing and Director of Nursing Long Term Care at Stella Maris. Lisa has 25 years of experience in Long Term Care. Her vast knowledge of the Federal and State regulations has made her a peer resource within our industry. She is committed to providing exceptional nursing care to our residents and to promoting teamwork within Stella Maris.
Mark Lovelace joined the Stella Maris Executive team in the newly created position of Vice President of Community-Based Services. Mr. Lovelace will be responsible for the overall strategic direction of the Home Care, Hospice (Home and Inpatient Hospice Services), and Personal Care programs to ensure sustainability and future growth. He will work with Mercy Health Services and Stella Maris on in-system integration. Mr. Lovelace comes from Holy Redeemer Health System, where he served as the Vice President of Business Development.
