By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, has gained extensive experience and dedication in the promotion of Lisa Zavorski, the new executive director for LIFE St. Francis, an elder-care program serving patients both on site and in their homes.
“I have had the great fortune to be a part of St. Francis Medical Center for almost 30 years,” Zavorski said. “I now have the opportunity as the executive director to assure we are meeting our goals and targets that will assure our growth and continued presence in the community, especially for the elderly.”
Zavorski, a parishioner in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Feasterville, Pa., spent an extensive career at SFMC as director of integrated case management, joining the LIFE (Living Independent for Seniors) St. Francis team in May 2012 as director of quality and compliance. She was subsequently promoted to center director in March 2016.
“LIFE St. Francis is committed to being a transforming, healing presence for the elders of our community, enhancing their autonomy and quality of life,” Zavorski explained. The program offers a safe environment, in which “the values of community, justice, stewardship, integrity, courage, reverence for each person and commitment to those who are poor are lived out each day.”
Zavorski will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program, in addition to assuring that the program “continually provides the highest quality of care and coordination to our participants,” she said. Additionally she will be responsible for the growth of the program and reporting requirements that must be submitted to the state and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
LIFE St. Francis began in April 2009 as the first PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program in New Jersey. During those eight years the program has served more than 667 participants, and currently cares for 310 participants.
Care provided by LIFE St. Francis includes medical primary and specialty care, such as vision, dental, podiatry and hearing services; nursing, including end-of-life care; social services; rehabilitation; clinical nutrition with a registered dietician; day center visits and recreation therapy; transportation, as well as medical equipment and medications.
Zavorski is taking to heart the task at hand, pledging to ensure the LIFE St. Francis program continues to be successful.
“I am committed to assuring that our participants and caregivers have the best possible experience with our program,” Zavorski said. “There is such a human element to what we do each and every day, and making sure we are truly carrying out our mission consistently will assure that our participants feel supported, and are receiving the highest quality care and service possible.”
Having witnessed many years ago the energy and excitement around the LIFE St. Francis program’s development and goal to meet the growing needs of the community’s frail elderly, Zavorski was inspired to be a part of that zeal.
“The Medical Center has always been committed to being a healing presence in the community it serves,” she said. “That commitment to service is something that is a part of who I am, both personally and professionally.”