Abundant compassion

There’s no denying that 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. But, something positive can come as a result of facing new difficulties. The challenges of the pandemic have brought well-deserved attention to our Consulate Health Care heroes who deliver compassionate care every day, pandemic or not. 

Patti Shutt, the executive director of the Manor at St. Luke Village in Hazleton, PA, is one of those individuals who has gained attention for being a model of Consulate’s core values, during the pandemic and every other day too. She has applied her skills as an administrator and social worker to provide calm, compassionate care and leadership during tumultuous times.

The daughter of a resident at the Manor described Shutt in a letter of commendation, “She is so gentle. She is so caring. She is so patient.” Shutt found her calling for work in long-term and post-acute care at a very young age, as a volunteer. Then, when she was just 15 years old, she worked in the kitchen of the Manor and continued to work at the care center during high school and college, while earning a degree in social work. She worked as a social worker for several years, and the skills she acquired on the job contribute to the sensitive way she interacts with patients, coworkers and family members.

Shutt recalled a story that highlights her compassion for not only the patients, but their family members too. One year, on Christmas eve, a son was admitting his father to a care center where Shutt was a social worker. Shutt acknowledged how difficult it must be for the son to be admitting his father on Christmas eve. The son later shared how much he appreciated that Shutt understood how his family was affected by admitting their father on the significant holiday. “I always ask the family how they are coping,” Shutt commented.

Shutt goes into work each day and “tries to find a special way to connect with residents and families and somehow improve their day. She understands that “It could be easy to forget that you get to leave the care center and see your family every day,” whereas during the pandemic, the patients aren’t afforded the same privilege. “The interactions you have with the residents, patients, and families are really important,” she added.

Fortunately for the Manor, Shutt is very happy working close to home, in a building she loves with people she cares deeply for.