On-The-Move People

     Karen Murray has been named executive director of St. Francis Commons Assisted Living Residence, in Oswego. St. Francis Commons is currently under development, with construction expected to be complete in the fall of next year.      Murray, who is also the executive director of Bishop's Commons Enriched Living Residence, will add the new role of executive director of the assisted living residence to her duties and responsibilities.
     When open, St. Francis Commons will be the only senior care residence in Oswego County offering Assisted Living Program services and amenities.
     "Assisted living at St. Francis Commons will provide a level of care for seniors who require care and support, while emphasizing personal dignity, autonomy, independence, privacy, and freedom of choice," Murray explained. "St. Francis Commons will support independence and help individuals to live as independently as possible and make decisions about how they want to live. This setting is different from the level of care normally associated with a nursing home while offering more security and comfort than a traditional apartment. Through the Providence Care Program, St. Francis Commons will also be the only option in our community to serve individuals with a dementia-related illness, like Alzheimer's disease, in a dedicated setting within the residence."
Murray noted that St. Francis Commons will accept private payment, Medicaid, private insurance reimbursement and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The intent said Murray is to offer the community access to a level of care and accommodations that is affordable and able to meet the care needs of those that will be served.
     "St. Francis Commons will provide supportive housing and care at a level that is less than a nursing home but more that you may find in an independent setting," she said.
     St. Francis Commons will feature 60 beds in private and semi-private rooms. An emergency response system (call bell) is featured in all rooms and common areas throughout the residence. Care needs will be met by an experienced team of professionals, with 24-hour/7-day-a-week on-site supervision and assistance with medication management, overseen by a Registered Nurse. Three nutritious meals a day served in comfortable dining rooms, activity programming on and off-site will be available to  address socialization opportunities, as well as easily accessible outdoor space will be available to residents.
     Amenities at St. Francis Commons will include housekeeping with linen and personal laundry services. A Hair Salon, Gift Shop, and scheduled transportation are also included. Cable television and telephone connections are in each room
     St. Francis Commons will also feature a 14-bed neighborhood; Providence Care at St. Francis, which will serve individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia-related illness, like Alzheimer's disease, who would benefit from a community-based living environment.
     St. Francis Commons is now under construction. The residence is located on the five-acre St. Luke health care campus on the east side of the city of Oswego, in a residential neighborhood adjacent to Charles E. Riley Elementary School. St. Luke Health Services, Bishop's Commons Enriched Living Residence and Little Lukes Childcare Center are also located on the campus.
     As executive director of Bishop's Commons and St. Francis Commons, Murray will oversee all aspects of the operations of Bishop's Commons Enriched Living Residence and St. Francis Commons. Murray brings more than 23 years of experience in health care to her new role, with 16 years in the St. Luke organization, first serving as the Director of Social Services at St. Luke. Prior to this, Murray served as a social worker at Community General Hospital in Syracuse.
     "We are very fortunate to have Karen on our team and this appointment reflects our commitment to making sure that St. Francis Commons provides the highest quality accommodations and services," Terrence Gorman, CEO and administrator of the St. Luke organization, said. "Karen has done a wonderful job at    Bishop's Commons and our organization will be well served with Karen assuming this leadership position."
     Murray holds a master's degree in social work from Syracuse University and a bachelor's degree from LeMoyne College.
     "I am looking forward to the challenge ahead of us and I am excited to be part of a something new that will be a valuable addition to this community," Murray noted.
     The St. Francis Commons project is the latest phase in development on the St. Luke health care campus. The campus consists of 15 acres and includes St. Luke Health Services, Bishop's Commons Enriched Living Residence and Little Lukes Childcare Center. Funding for construction of the $9.1 million dollar assisted living program residence is provided by an $8-million-dollar HEAL-NY grant through the New York State Department of Health. Additional financing for the project has been made available through the Operation Oswego County, the Oswego County Industrial Development Agency the City of Oswego's Office of Community Development, and the St. Luke-John Foster Burden Fund. When fully operational, St. Francis Commons will employee 32 people.
     For more information about St. Francis Commons Assisted Living Residence call 315-326-0870; e-mail info@stfranciscommons.com; or go to www.stfranciscommons.com.