by Joseph H. RADDER
Vivian Cosentino loves her job because, so often, what she
does leads seniors into a better way of life. As executive secretary to the president/CEO
and director of community relations for the Niagara Lutheran Health System, it's her job
to make seniors of all faiths and walks of life aware of the various facilities and
services offered by her organization. Whether a person is in the "well-aging"
category, needs assistance in the daily living routine, or requires full-time skilled
nursing care or rehabilitation, the Niagara Lutheran Health System has a comfortable place
for that person to live.
These include GreenFields Continuing Care Community, consisting of
GreenField Manor's residential apartment homes, the GreenField Court for assisted living
in an apartment setting, and the GreenField Health and Rehabilitation Center, a
state-of-the-art rehab and skilled nursing care facility. There is no entrance fee, and
all three are on the same beautiful campus in Lancaster. Seniors who move into the
community can expect priority access to whatever level of care they may need for the rest
of their lives without having to leave The GreeenFields. The Rehab Center is also
available to out-patients. It has unique features like the aquatic therapy pool, where the
water is a constant 92 to 94 degrees. "Patients with arthritis, for example, tell us
they are free from pain when they're in that pool" Vivian said from her experience.
The Niagara Lutheran Health System also operates the Niagara Lutheran
Home and Rehabilitation Center on Hager Street in Buffalo. The Niagara Lutheran Health
Foundation is also located here and raises funds that are used to ensure that residents
enjoy the highest quality of life possible.
Vivian Cosentino joined the system six years ago as executive secretary
to the president and CEO, Jurgen A. Arndt. When the Lancaster campus was under
construction she got involved in setting up an information center out there and soon took
on the various marketing aspect of the operation as well as administration. Once the
residential and assisted living apartments were open she returned to the Health System
headquarters in Buffalo and returned to her duties as executive secretary. She was soon
given the additional title of Director of Community Relations. "The job started out
as just public relations," she remembered, " but has now evolved into taking
care of advertising and marketing as well.."
Does Vivian Cosentino live and breathe senior health care 24 hours a
day? Of course not. Like any sensible person, she makes time for recreation. "I love
tennis," she said "My slogan is 'have racquet, will travel'." She's also
very much involved as a volunteer with the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding program at the
Equestrian Center near Delaware Park. "We have classes every Monday evening for
children with disabilities. Riding, for some reason, helps these kids both emotionally and
physically. You can see the difference. It's fantastic!" she enthused. So you see,
even much of her recreation involves helping others.
Vivian is also active in the Augustana Lutheran Church located at
Colvin and Eggert Rd. She says the church's annual Swedish Festival in June is a highlight
of her year because of her Swedish roots..
Vivian Johnson, was born in Rockford Illinois in 1946, moving to
Buffalo in 1968 to be with her husband, a native of Niagara Falls. Her dad was a tool and
die maker in Rockford and her mom ran a beauty shop in their home as well as devoting many
hours every day to her job as housewife and mother. Both her mother and father were avid
golfers.
Her brother lives on the state line between Illinois and Wisconsin.
"His nearest neighbors are cattle", she said. "And from his home you can
see miles and miles of Wisconsin."
One of Vivian Cosentino's most vivid childhood memories is a sad one
"I still remember the day, in 1963, when I was sitting in school and we heard that
President Kennedy had been assassinated." On the more pleasant side, she remembers
following the fortunes of the Chicago White Sox. "The year they were in the world
series, they gave the scores over the school intercom." "I got my love of the
outdoors from my Mom," she said. "In the summertime we'd be outdoors or go to
one of the local parks, and she'd call my Dad and say 'meet us at the park for
supper'"
Vivian has a daughter, a son, and three grandchildren. Her daughter is
Cynthia (Cindy) Parkes and her son is Paul Cosentino. The grandchildren are Chelsea, age
8, Tyler, age 5, and Hannah, age 4.
She spent all of her younger years in Illinois, attending elementary
school and high school in Rockford, then going on to Northern Illinois University, where
she majored in French and earned a BA degree.
Her first job was working as a car-hop, "but I didn't do
roller skates", she laughs. "I always had summer jobs. I worked for Sears for
awhile, for Rockford Medical Supply and for John W. Barnes Hydraulics. During my last
years in college I worked in the foreign language office."
Vivian moved to Buffalo right after graduating from college, and worked
for the Western New York Regional Medical Program, affiliated with UB. She then became a
full-time mother, except for a few part-time jobs in her home, including sewing draperies.
When her children got older, she worked for Dale Carnegie Training, for the Sisters of St.
Francis at the Sacred Heart Academy and for Neighborhood Legal Services. She also found
time during this period to take classes in computer programming at Niagara County
Community College..
"At a time in my life when I was ready to take on more
work-related challenges, my pastor suggested I contact the Niagara Lutheran Health System,
and it turned out to be a fit." Clearly, Vivian Cosentino admires her boss, Jurgen
Arndt. "His leadership skills are just fantastic," she said. Obviously this has
a lot do do with the fact that she is very happy in her work.. Judging by the samples of
the marketing communications pieces that she provided, we expect her employer is happy as
well.
Listening to Vivian tell about her career path and her struggles along
the way, makes it easy to understand her philosophy of life: "Trust God and never
give up." Fortunately for the Niagara Lutheran Health System and, all of its
residents and patients, she didn't give up until she found her niche. And she's been
making a difference ever since.
Joseph H. Radder, a frequent contributor to Living Prime Time, is author of a book, “Young Jesus, the Missing Years”. For more information, phone 1-888-280-7715 or visit www.1stbooks.com