Sister Margaret Mathewson

Sister Margaret Mathewson (Sister Peggy) has been with the Bon Secours Health System - the largest health system in Hampton Roads - for over 35 years. She has been instrumental in the development of the Senior Assessment Program which she helped to implement in 1997.

Sister Peggy, originally from Pennsylvania, was part of a similar program in Michigan. "I understand the impact this type of a program can have on a community," says she. "This program will be increasingly needed in Hampton Roads in the coming years."

While Sister Peggy has played a key role in the success of the program, she is quick to point out that she is part of a team of professionals. Sister works with a Geriatrician physician, a registered nurse, a nursing assistant and an office manager. The team is supplemented as needed by other professionals including neuropsychologists, rehabilitation specialists, pharmacists and others. Because of the team approach the assessment program provides services that are simply not available anywhere else in our area.

When asked what rewards she receives from being a part of this program she replies, "I have the opportunity to actually see people's lives change for the better. When I see people in bad situations turned around it is very rewarding. We have seniors who come back to visit us and caregivers who credit us with giving them back their lives."

One of Sister Peggy's favorite patients came to the assessment program through the emergency room. She was utilizing the ER as much as 12 times a week. This was extremely costly to the hospital and less than optimal for her. The assessment team discovered that she had become estranged from her family and was living in very poor circumstances. The team helped her relocate to a beautiful assisted living facility and, perhaps more importantly, reconnected her with her family who she now sees regularly. Her quality of life has increased tremendously as a result of the work of Sister Peggy and the assessment team. In other equally important cases tumors have been found that required immediate removal, caregivers were helped to better care for alzheimer's patients, and seniors have been empowered to continue driving safely through the assessment center's adaptive driver training program.

So what does Sister Peggy do when she's not helping others? One of her favorite past times is traveling. "I enjoy meeting new people," she explains, "especially those that live differently than I am accustomed to. I also enjoy the diverse food." Some of her favorite places include Ireland and St. Martin. In addition to traveling you might find Sister Peggy staying active through her gardening, sewing and love of music.