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PITTSBURG —
Melinda Ewan is guided by the principle that for those entering Via Christi Village, the only thing that should change for them is their address.
Her dedication and service to area senior citizens earned her a place on the 2013 Women of Distinction calendar produced by the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Ewan is “Miss March.”
“When someone moves in here, we try to find out what their interests are,” said the Via Christi Village CEO. “We have residents involved in Kiwanis and members who go to the Pittsburg Family YMCA. We want them to continue their community connection.”
Being part of the community is very important at Via Christi Village, for residents and staff members.
“In 2012 we started delivering Meals on Wheels on Wednesdays, and we’re involved with Wesley House. Our members participate in the Shaping Lives program,” Ewan said.
And, she said proudly, Via Christi Village won first place in Paint the Town Red, the annual competition sponsored by the Pittsburg Area Chamber to show support for PSU.
“We involved our residents and had a pep rally,” Ewan said.
Her own community involvement includes Pittsburg Kiwanis Club, Little Balkans Days Senior King and Queen Committee, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee and Personal Action Toward Health (PATH).
Via Christi Village is a faith-based continuing care retirement community, and faith plays a vital role in Ewan’s life. She continues to live in St. Paul and is a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She also teaches a third grade religion class in the parish school.
Her service to others started during her school days in St. Paul.
“I became a CNA in 1986 and worked at Living Skills Center, a facility for handicapped adults,” Ewan said. “I worked through high school and college.”
A Pittsburg State University graduate, she moved to Indianapolis, Ind., and worked at a 208-bed facility for adults with handicaps.
“I was program director and oversaw programs for individuals, and also did staff management,” Ewan said. “We had a sheltered workshop as well.”
She was frequently called to step in as interim administration, so in 2008 earned her administrator’s license for long-term care.
“I also decided that I wanted to move back to Kansas to be closer to family,” Ewan said. “I started a job search, and my aunt called and told me about the job with Via Christi. I applied and made about three trips back for job interviews. I was offered a position and accepted it. This position was very appealing to me. This is a modern facility for seniors and they continue to carry on their life here.”
Melinda Ewan is guided by the principle that for those entering Via Christi Village, the only thing that should change for them is their address.
Her dedication and service to area senior citizens earned her a place on the 2013 Women of Distinction calendar produced by the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Ewan is “Miss March.”
“When someone moves in here, we try to find out what their interests are,” said the Via Christi Village CEO. “We have residents involved in Kiwanis and members who go to the Pittsburg Family YMCA. We want them to continue their community connection.”
Being part of the community is very important at Via Christi Village, for residents and staff members.
“In 2012 we started delivering Meals on Wheels on Wednesdays, and we’re involved with Wesley House. Our members participate in the Shaping Lives program,” Ewan said.
And, she said proudly, Via Christi Village won first place in Paint the Town Red, the annual competition sponsored by the Pittsburg Area Chamber to show support for PSU.
“We involved our residents and had a pep rally,” Ewan said.
Her own community involvement includes Pittsburg Kiwanis Club, Little Balkans Days Senior King and Queen Committee, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee and Personal Action Toward Health (PATH).
Via Christi Village is a faith-based continuing care retirement community, and faith plays a vital role in Ewan’s life. She continues to live in St. Paul and is a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She also teaches a third grade religion class in the parish school.
Her service to others started during her school days in St. Paul.
“I became a CNA in 1986 and worked at Living Skills Center, a facility for handicapped adults,” Ewan said. “I worked through high school and college.”
A Pittsburg State University graduate, she moved to Indianapolis, Ind., and worked at a 208-bed facility for adults with handicaps.
“I was program director and oversaw programs for individuals, and also did staff management,” Ewan said. “We had a sheltered workshop as well.”
She was frequently called to step in as interim administration, so in 2008 earned her administrator’s license for long-term care.
“I also decided that I wanted to move back to Kansas to be closer to family,” Ewan said. “I started a job search, and my aunt called and told me about the job with Via Christi. I applied and made about three trips back for job interviews. I was offered a position and accepted it. This position was very appealing to me. This is a modern facility for seniors and they continue to carry on their life here.”
She became CEO in June 2011, but noted that overseeing the facility is far from a one-woman job.
“The bottom line is, I can’t do it all myself,” Ewan said. “It takes the whole staff. This is a collaborative effort and we have good teamwork here.”
She noted that Via Christi Village even has a chapel and pastoral staff to meet the spiritual needs of residents.
Her team played an important role in Via Christi’s response to the May 2011 tornado in Joplin. Six nurses were sent to Joplin, and four tornado victims were transferred to Via Christi Village.
Ewan said that she and staff members are guided by the Via Christi Health core values of human dignity, respecting the sacredness of each person; stewardship, responsibly caring for all resources entrusted to them; and excellence, extending themselves in outstanding service.
