The welcoming center atrium with an aviary and fish
pond creates a gathering space for the facility’s 236 long
term care residents to enjoy specially designed activities or
visit with friends and family. Since 1844, the “Dobie Road”
facility, as it is known locally, has cared for the elderly
on this suburban campus. An interdisciplinary team of
qualified geriatric physicians, a nursing faculty gerontology
NP, nursing students, licensed nurses, certified nursing
assistants, and social workers provide comprehensive and
compassionate long term care to residents and work closely
with their families. Other services on site include a dementia
care unit, rehabilitation program, therapeutic recreation,
rehabilitative therapy, and restorative therapy.
Dr. Ensberg described how his and Keilman’s roles and their collaborative approach to care
improve the residents’ quality of life, family decision making, and education of nursing and
medical students:
Mark D. Ensberg, MD
Adjunct Assistant Professor
MSU College of Human Medicine, Department of Family Medicine
Sparrow/MSU Geriatric Fellowship Program
Assistant Professor, Health Programs
“It’s very important that I understand it’s not
my job to cure people,” says Linda Keilman of
her work as a Gerontological NP. “What I can
do is provide hope and help them live every day
to the fullest until their last breath.” She also
works with families who must make and live
with difficult, emotionally laden decisions. For
over 20 years as an NP, Keilman has brought
a collaborative, holistic, and compassionate
approach to age appropria є