February 2019

Page A37 FEBRUARY 2019 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A Bay Memorials 321 S. 15 th St. • Escanaba, MI 49829 • (906) 786-2609 • Fax (906) 786-2692 Zerbel’s www.baymemorialsbabycaskets.com PROPORTIONALLY SIZED FOR MISCARRIED, STILLBORN & NEWBORN BABIES Burial Cradle caskets SM Available in 10”, 20”, 30” allowing you to tastefully care for even the smallest baby with all the compassion every parent desires for as low as $42.00 Hydraulic Body Lift $1074 1-800-604-9576 info@imsmail.com Slider Board Regular $99.95 Oversized $119.95 Crematory Scissor Lift Hydraulic $2795 Battery Operated $3600 Hydraulic Oversized Embalming Table $2795 Cantilever Rack 3 Tier $874 4 Tier $1024 5 Tier $1174 End Loading Mortuary Roller Rack 3 Tier - $1089 4 Tier - $1364 American Academy McAllister Institute Announces Senior Staff Appointments Announcing Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s 2019 Speaking Schedule News Educational ContinueD NEW YORK,NY— American Academy McAllister In- stitute of Funeral Service (AAMI) interim president Dr. George P. Connick has announced three senior staff promotions at the nation’s largest mortuary sci- ence school. Dr. Connick has succeeded Meg Dunn after she served as president for the last 24 years. Dr. Pamela MacBrayne was named executive vice president, a role previously held by Dr. Connick. Tra- cy Lentz was appointed director of operations, pro- gram director, and dean of academic and student services. Brian Kasler has become vice president of business, technology services and special projects. “I am so fortunate to have a team of leaders that will help us advance AAMI’s mission as we continue to be the leading and most innovative funeral service school in the nation,” Dr. Connick said. “MacBrayne brings decades of experience in academia and has earned the respect of faculty, staff and students. “Lentz, a graduate of AAMI, has been part of the fu- neral service industry for more than two decades and has excelled as dean of student services,” Dr. Connick said. “Kasler brings his managerial and financial exper- tise to help ensure AAMI’s continued growth.” Dr. MacBrayne, earned both an M.S. (University at Alba- ny) and an Ed. D (University of Maine) in educational ad- ministration. She has worked in higher education for more than 40 years and been part of the AAMI family for 13 years, including the last five years as director of academic integrity. “I am excited about working with our incredible facul- ty and staff to continue AAMI’s long history and tradi- tion of providing first-class funeral service education for the next generation of funeral directors,” Dr. MacBrayne said. “As the number of students matriculating online continues to grow, we are expanding our ability to recruit and teach students from across the country.” Lentz has an M.A. from Sam Houston State University, a B.S. from Stony Brook University and is a 1996 graduate of AAMI. She has been an instructor at AAMI for 10 years and has been dean of student services for more than two years. “I listen and talk to our students every day and I know how hard they are working. We have a great staff outside the class- room and incredible faculty to teach our students,” Ms. Lentz said. “A proud alum, I’m excited to be part of the AAMI team that will guide the school to our centennial and beyond.” Kasler, also a graduate of AAMI, holds a B.S. from Wagner College and an MBA from St. John’s University. He has had a long career in various aspects of the funeral services industry, including serving as deputy executive director of the NewYork State Funeral Directors Association. Most recently, Kasler was vice president for operations and student services. “AAMI is a great place to work because the staff, facul- ty and administration have a shared focus on educating our students and advancing the institution. While it’s nice to work at the best fu- neral services school in the country, it’s even nicer to make the best even better,” Kasler said. American Academy McAllister Institute of Fu- neral Service offers its fu- neral service associate de- gree program both online and on-campus and stu- dents may attend either full- time or part-time. Physical- ly located on Manhattan’s West Side and accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), AAMI has been the nation’s leader in funer- al service education for over 90 years. AAMI’s website is www.aami.edu. FORT COLLINS,CO— The Center for Loss and Life Transition has announced the locations of Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s 2019 educational workshops. The content of these workshops helps par- ticipants understand their own grief, how to compan- ion others in their grief, and the significance of how when words are inadequate have meaningful ceremo- nies. Sponsors include hos- pices, hospitals, universities, funeral homes, and a variety of community agencies. The locations are as fol- lows: February 19-20, Lincoln, NE; February 28-March 1, Washington, DC; March 12-14, Salt Lake City, UT; April 9-10, Thomasville, GA; April 16- 17, Topeka, KS; April 17- 18, Olathe, KS; April 23-24, Fort Wayne, IN; April 25, Batesville, IN; May 21-22, Cambridge, ON; May 24, Washington DC; Septem- ber 17-18, TBD; Septem- ber 18-19, TBD; September 19-20, TBD; September 24- 25, Greenville, SC; Septem- ber 26-27, Butte, MT; Oc- tober 15-16, Appleton, WI; October 17-18, Palm Har- bor, FL; October 22-23, St. Charles, MO; October 24, Las Vegas, NV; October 25- 26, Chicago, IL; November 18-19, Windsor, ON; No- vember 20, Chatham, ON; and November 21, Strath- roy, ON. Dr. Alan Wolfelt is a not- ed author, educator, and grief counselor. A past re- cipient of the Association for Death Education and Counseling’s Death Educa- tor Award, he serves as the director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins, CO. Dr. Wolfelt is the author of nu- merous best-selling books on grief and loss and also serves on the faculty at the University of Colorado Med- ical School in the Depart- ment of Family Medicine. For information about these workshops or to ex- plore sponsoring a pro- gram in the communi- ty, contact DrWolfelt@ Centerforloss.com, call 970-226-6050, or visit www.centerforloss.com . L i k e Us On Facebook!