Everyone around Morris Hall knows Jackie Randelman. Most days, she can be found at the gift shop, overseeing operations and helping to serve customers. It’s a volunteer commitment near and dear to her ever since she spearheaded the effort with a group of friends to set up the shop more than nine years ago.

Then one day, the volunteer became the patient. Jackie, 79, had a series of “ministrokes” – medically termed “transient ischemic attacks,” or TIAs. She received inpatient care at St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center for a week and was discharged. No sooner did she get back home than she had another ministroke, sending her back to St. Lawrence for more care. Now she is in the midst of outpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy at the Outpatient Health Center at SLRC.

“My prognosis is good if they can keep my blood pressure down,” says Jackie. “I think I’m a puzzlement to my doctors.”

On her first day of outpatient therapy, Jackie’s elevated blood pressure reading caught the attention of her therapist, Mary Burke. What happened as a result left a real impression.

“She called my doctor to express her concern,” Jackie says. “She didn’t know me yet, but she picked up on that and went the extra mile. I was extremely impressed.”

In fact, Jackie had similar impressions of her experience as an inpatient.

“I am amazed at the efficiency and the care at St. Lawrence,” she says. “I have never met a more caring staff. One day, an aide stayed after the end of her shift to help me take a shower. That’s going above and beyond, as far as I’m concerned. With both my inpatient care and as an outpatient, I’ve seen the same kind of concern and caring.” The little things impressed Jackie.

“The staff always had a smile, always took time with me,” she says. “Nothing’s more important when you’re not feeling well. You just want someone to show they care.”

Naturally, Jackie can’t wait to get back to the gift shop. Just as it helped her many years ago by giving her something to focus on after her husband died suddenly, the shop still means a lot to her.

“I just love it,” she says. “I give it a lot of time, but I get a lot of enjoyment there. The residents and staff are so appreciative of what we do.

“It can run without me,” she adds, “but I like to think it can’t.”