Volunteer Vickie Gerlek

Vickie Gerlek has been with MARC since 2019 after moving from California where she helped advocate for not only her father but a woman from her church for about six years who had no one else to help her when in a facility. Vickie started as a volunteer who demonstrated eagerness, excitement, and passion for advocating for residents. She began her service by jumping right in, alongside the Regional Ombudsman, during her shadowing period to interview and advocate for residents being evicted from a closing nursing home that had not properly located placements and attempted to discharged residents to the local homeless shelters. Vickie demonstrates compassion and dedication. She goes above and beyond for the residents of her facility and ensures ongoing advocacy. One example, Vickie found creative solutions to ensure residents were able to have regular communication with her to voice their concerns at the beginning of the pandemic when facilities completely closed and numerous complaints about visitation and communication were ongoing. One of her favorite things is to meet and assist the residents who reside in the Skilled Nursing Facilities. She is the eyes and ears for her residents and ensures they are afforded the same opportunities and rights given to each of us. Vickie works hard to have a professional working relationship with her facility staff which helps gain cooperation for the mutual goal of bringing the best life possible to those who live there. Vickie also enjoys the in-person and on-line training seminars where she learns new information and ideas from those presenting as well as those attending.