West Bend, WI – Late in 2020, Interfaith Caregivers, along with the entire community
of Washington County lost someone very dear to us, Judy Phillips. Judy, the founder of Gericare, Inc., had been a long-standing Interfaith board member and a champion for seniors in her community. Tuesday night, the Inaugural Judy Phillips Influencers in Aging event gave honors to some very special nominees.
Award winner for Community Impact – ComForCare/Just Like Home Adult Day Center – Dave & Lisa Morbeck
Dave and Lisa Morbeck and their team received many accolades during the nomination process from their client’s families. These nominators spoke about the impact their care had made to improve the lives of their loved ones. Often highlighted was the exceptional, compassionate and personalized care their loved ones received. Words heard over and over again were how caring, kind, genuine, incredible, and sacrificing this team is for their clients.
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Award winner for Community Impact – Mona Dickmann
Mona has dedicated the last decade of her life to what she describes as her “dream job,” as
Information and Assistance Specialist with the Aging and Disability Resource Center in
Washington Co. A clear example of her devotion to seniors “shined through” during the
pandemic when she organized “Caregiver Sunshine Kits” of goodies, games, and inspiration
that brought joy to over 200 senior caregivers. Mona plans to retire later in 2022 but will
leave Washington Co. a better place for seniors because of the passion she brought to work.
Award winner for Creative Expression – MOWA’s Spark Program – Kathy Conrow & Laurie Winters/ Gaeme Reid
The Spark Program is innovative and nationally recognized for the enrichment and
community connection it provides as it brings the world of art into the lives of families and
individuals struggling with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. At MOWA, the true
champions responsible for bringing this critical program to serve seniors in our community
are MOWA Volunteer, Kathy Conrow and MOWA Executive Director, Laurie Winters.
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Award winner for Aging Advocacy – Sue Merkel
Sue’s entire career has been laser-focused on advocating for seniors as they navigate
through some of life’s most difficult choices – choosing long-term care, assisted living, or
hospice care. For well over a decade, she has shared her talent and passion as part of the
Geri Care team, working alongside Judy since the early days of Geri Care in 2007. Sue has
made an immeasurable impact on the lives of so very many seniors and their families.
Lorraine Henrickon won the Judy Phillips Legacy Award
Below is a list of the other nominees for the 2022 Judy Phillips Memorial Influencers in Aging Award event:
Deb Anderson
Deb has devoted so much of her life to improving the lives of seniors, always showing a
special care for those most alone and isolated. As director of West Bend’s Senior Center
Activities for 5 years, she shepherded many of the center’s transitions. Deb introduced new
health and wellness activities and oversaw a critical move for the Center to its current location within Kettlebrook Church.
Cedar Community – Partners in Caring
Cedar Community’s roots have been planted deep in the generosity and dedication of its
neighbors since its founding in 1953. Their “Partners in Caring” program provides a means
of compassionate, dignified care for all residents, even if their financial resources dwindle.
Each resident at Cedar enjoys the same respect, dignity, and five-star care regardless of
their ability to pay. As one family member described “our mother came to just the right
place, at just the right time to just the perfect people to care for her.”
Tammy Dickman
Tammy is a trailblazing member of Washington County’s Aging and Disability Resource
Center as the first-ever Dementia Caregiver Support Specialist. Through this role she has
not only identified the needs of family caregivers in the community, but then forged ahead
and implemented resources & tools necessary to help make a difference, all with dedication, grace, and humility.
Jen Fechter
Jen works her magic as an Elder Benefits Specialist with the Aging and Disability Resource
Center in Washington Co. Through her work she helps seniors navigate through an
extensive maze of government programs, always finding a path for them to access the
resources available. The passion and care Jen provides for seniors shows through in every
interaction. She is not only their best advocate; she becomes a trusted & valuable voice of calm during a difficult time of life.
Paula Hader
Paula brings her passionate, servant heart to work every time she walks through the door
at Senior Citizens Activities, Inc. or “SCAI” in West Bend where she has been the director for 5 years. During her tenure the center has seen exponential growth, a vast new offering of innovative health & wellness programs, and her warm & welcoming style ensures that each participant feels valued and part of the center’s community.
Barbara Prust
Barbara is a tireless advocate for the underserved in our community. She has volunteered
with the Albrecht Free Clinic for over 4 years, ever since she and her husband retired in the
West Bend community and began looking for ways that they could give back. Barbara also
works with the larger Aurora and Froedtert clinics, often on-call 24/7, as ready help for assistance with applications and translations.
Senior Citizens Activiites, Inc. (SCAI)
The Senior Citizen’s Activities, Inc., or “SCAI,” has been an important part of the West Bend
community since 1967. Today, SCAI resides within Kettlebrook Church and has seen
remarkable growth as the variety of program offerings continues to grow and draw in more of the 50+ crowd! Healthy offerings include pickleball in the gym, fitness classes, or chair
yoga; creativity can be unleashed through woodworking, quilting, and various art classes.
Round it out with some afternoon concerts, crafts, cribbage and of course – Sheepshead.
This is only a small sampling of all that makes SCAI a truly healthy and happy “home away from home” for our community seniors.
Gil Sheridan
Gil has been a faithful, long-serving volunteer driver for Interfaith Caregivers of
Washington County. He has impacted the lives of countless senior clients by driving them
to doctor appointments and other essential services. Each drive Gil makes forms a valuable
connection with the senior client and a moment of joy & smile to their face during an often difficult or painful time in their lives.
