08/21/2023

Mohun Health Care Center Makes the LeadingAge Difference

Mohun Health Care Center is a one-of-a-kind place, as it is the only facility to house ordained and vowed religious and immediate family of the Dominican Sisters of Peace without “laypersons,” as they call it. Located on the east side of Columbus with Ohio Dominican University as its neighbor, the 72-room facility feels like a continuation of the life the sisters have always known. Next door is the Mother House – or convent – where many sisters resided prior to Mohun. While some of the sisters have served decades together in the ministry, others from across the country seek out Mohun for its unique atmosphere, with its daily mass and other religious upholdings. For example, a religious service is held each time a resident passes, and new areas of the grounds are ceremonially blessed.

The facility’s chapel features stained-glass windows and a balcony and is equipped with cameras to allow sisters feeling under the weather to participate from the comfort of their rooms. The chapel also doubles as an exercise space, with regular tai-chi offerings residents can also stream to their own TVs. If tai-chi isn’t their thing, residents can always head over to the pool. Pet birds, a flower-adorned terrace with screened in porch, and an all-private room setting makes Mohun feel cozy and homey. Sister Angelica Armstrong, OP, was kind enough to give a tour of her room, where she proudly displayed beautifully framed prints of angels and the Blessed Mother by Fra Angelico, OP.

Though the facility and grounds are nice, it’s also abundantly clear the warmth felt at the facility has a familial quality. As mentioned, some of the sisters have known each other 50+ years, but the staff also have decades-long relationships. April Queener, the administrator, and the rest of the executives have been with Mohun for over a decade. Most of the nursing staff are 15 years in, and it’s not uncommon for nursing assistants to be over the 20-year mark. How rare is it to find such longevity, especially in this day and age?

Queener suggests that people stay because of the residents. The sisters are funny, educated and kind. Sister Jaqueline Baum, OP, the woman responsible for licensing Mohun in the 90’s and running it for years, is now a resident who made sure to express, “Thank God for April Queener!” And then there’s Sister Thoma, OP, a notable artist (Google her!) who spent considerable time in Peru teaching native women to make beautiful blankets so they may have a source of income. 

Though the residents are indeed the stars, I also suspect the staff longevity is tied to Mohun’s value-driven approach. People who work at Mohun do it because they love it and they believe in Mohun’s mission. As April said, “When things get really hard, and you still want to be doing the work you’re doing, that’s when you know you’re doing what you’re supposed to.” That’s the LeadingAge difference. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one final resident. Sister Miriam, OP, a 76-year sister donning a sweater in my favorite blue hue, insisted it be known that she is 96 years of age, has a good memory, and is both very active and very grateful. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sister Angelica Armstrong, OP

 

Mohun Administrator, April Queener

 The Chapel

 

Sister Jacqueline Baum, OP

Michelle, DON, with Sister Thoma, OP

 Mohun Staff

Sister Miriam

 

 Lunchtime

 

“The LeadingAge Difference” is a new feature of The Source that highlights unique and outstanding members, achievements or programs throughout the LeadingAge Ohio membership. If you have a story you’d like featured in a future edition of “The LeadingAge Difference,” email Molly Homan, Director of Strategic Communications, at mhoman@leadingageohio.org.