The nation celebrated its independence in July, and senior housing professionals have also been celebrating a number of promotions, awards, and industry recognition in addition to several new hires.
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Hillcrest Health Services Promotes Brendan Bishop to COO
Hillcrest Health Services has promoted Brendan Bishop to chief operating officer. He will oversee the continued expansion and operations of all Hillcrest service lines, which encompass a complete continuum of care for aging adults.
Over the past seven years, Bishop has been instrumental in launching Hillcrest Home Care and Hillcrest Hospice Care, and under his leadership, both agencies became Medicare-certified while achieving record growth for the company.
Bishop joined Hillcrest in 2006 as administrator of home care and was elevated to vice president of home & community services in 2011. Previously, he served as administrator at an international franchise company developing and implementing a new service line that provided non-medical assistance to individuals in their home.
Bishop received a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s of healthcare administration, both from Bellevue University. He is also a certified nursing assistant (CNA), a certified homecare and hospice executive (CHCE) with the National Association of Homecare and Hospice, a licensed assisted living administrator in Nebraska, and a licensed nursing home administrator (LNHA) in Nebraska. Bishop resides in Papillion with his wife, Pauli.
Holleran Names Nikki Rineer President
Michele Holleran, founder of consulting firm Holleran, recently named Nikki Rineer the president of the company.
Rineer joined Holleran in early 2012 as a Senior Living Consultant after serving for 3 years as President of Hope Within Community Health Center, a non-profit clinic that provides free primary health care services to uninsured residents of Lancaster and Dauphin County communities in Pennsylvania. She was responsible for improving donor and public relations, event management, and strategic planning for growth of the center as well as grant research and management.
Prior to her time at Hope Within, Rineer spent 13 years at Wellspan Health, the largest health system in York, Pennsylvania. During her tenure with Wellspan, she worked with community members and leaders from the county to better determine the needs of the residents.
Rineer has expertise in creating community partnerships, identifying synergies across organizations, and strategic planning. She is also highly experienced in quality improvement initiatives, systems management, fundraising, and program development.
Rineer will succeed former President, Lisa Scott McCracken, who has made significant contributions to Holleran over the past 13 years. McCracken will be joining Ziegler as Senior Vice President of Research.
Michael Wooldridge Named Executive Director of Park Springs CCRC
Kevin Isakson, Director of Sales and Marketing at Isakson Living, welcomes Michael W. Wooldridge as the new Executive Director for Park Springs, Atlanta’s premier continuing care retirement community that is owned and operated by Isakson Living, effective July 1.
Wooldridge has more than 10 years of experience in the senior living industry. Most recently, he served as Executive Director for Towne Club Peachtree City. Before that, he was Opening Executive Director for Spring Harbor at Green Island, a CCRC community in Columbus (GA) from 2004 – 2011. There, he managed 196 Independent Apartments and Villas, 30 Assisted Living Apartments, 30 Memory Support Apartments, and 40 private Skilled Nursing rooms.
Wooldridge is a graduate of the University of Houston where he received his BA in Business Administration in the area of Organizational Behavior and Management. He attended college on a football scholarship.
Greenspring Hires Brian Marandola as Director of Dining Services
Brian Marandola recently joined Greenspring, an Erickson Living retirement community in Springfield, Va., as the new Director of Dining Services.
Marandola has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining Greenspring, he was the acting Director of Food & Beverage at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor, Md. Marandola has held Director-level positions for the past 19 years including ten years with Marriott International and nine years with Disney in both Florida and California.
As the Director of Dining Services, Marandola will lead the dining and culinary service team in ensuring residents have an extraordinary dining experience that includes superior service and healthy, diverse options.
David Tenney Hired as Assistant Director of General Services at Greenspring
David Tenney recently joined Greenspring, an Erickson Living retirement community in Springfield, Va., as the new Assistant Director of General Services.
Tenney brings more than 25 years of facility operations and management experience to Greenspring. Previously, he was the Facility Manager for the Gannett/USA Today corporate headquarters
and the Senior Building Manager for NPR (National Public Radio). He has experience working with multiple types of properties including residential, medical, corporate and technical. Tenney has also been an instructor for vocational programs in Fairfax County.
As the Assistant Director of General Services at Greenspring, Tenney will assist in leading and supporting the department which oversees day-to-day operations at the community including security, transportation, and maintenance, among others.
GlyynDevins Promotes Two to Vice Presidents of Client Service
GlynnDevins Advertising & Marketing recently announced the promotions of Candice Yagmin and Lea Ann Hodson to vice presidents of client service for the agency.
As vice presidents of client service, Yagmin and Hodson will be responsible for in-depth engagement and support for individual teams and team members. Each will continue to support and manage current client work, while positioning the department and the agency for future growth.
Yagmin is a 10-year veteran at GlynnDevins with 18 years of advertising experience working with more than 50 senior living communities. Her duties and areas of expertise include leading the development of strategic marketing communications plans and programs designed to help communities reach their occupancy goals.
Hodson has been with GlynnDevins for 11 years and has 20 years of advertising experience. She’s skilled in integrated planning and analytical thinking, and has a passion for creative focus. Hodson is knowledgeable in both operational and development marketing, having managed the marketing/communications programs for many communities nationwide, generating brand awareness and sales activity.
President & CEO of ACTS Retirement-Life Communities to Retire
After nearly nine years as President and CEO of ACTS Retirement-Life Communities, Marvin Mashner has announced his plans to retire in June, 2014. Mashner has been with ACTS for 23 years, beginning as Vice President and Treasurer in 1990, and then as President and Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure he has led some of the most dramatic change and growth at ACTS, the largest not-for-profit continuing care retirement community organization in the United States.
“The past 23 years at ACTS have been the most enjoyable and rewarding years of my professional career,” said Mashner. “I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that have taken us into the future as we implement new advancements to enhance the lives of our residents. ACTS has become a leader in the industry, and I’m proud of all that our staff has accomplished and excited at what the future holds for this special organization.”
Active in the senior care industry at both the state and national level, Mashner also serves on numerous boards dedicated to health and aging services, including LeadingAge, the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), the International Association for Homes and Services for the Aging (IAHSA), and a local hospital foundation.
Mashner will continue to serve as President and CEO until he departs next June. The ACTS board of directors has begun a comprehensive search process to find his successor.
HCP Appoints Brian Cartwright to Board of Directors
HCP (NYSE:HCP) announced the appointment of Brian G. Cartwright to the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board determined that Cartwright qualifies as an independent director under the applicable NYSE and SEC requirements. With his appointment, HCP’s Board has a total of nine members.
Cartwright is a Scholar in Residence at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. From 2006 through 2009 he served as General Counsel of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and from 2009 through 2011 he was a Senior Advisor to Latham & Watkins LLC.
Cartwright graduated from Yale University in 1967 with a B.S. in Intensive Physics, received his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago in 1971 and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1980 where he served as President of the Harvard Law Review. From 1981-1982 he served as a law clerk to Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on the United States Supreme Court. Between 1982 and 2005 Cartwright was employed at Latham & Watkins LLC where he served in various senior management positions including Member of its Executive Committee.
EPOCH Hires Dawn Johnson as Director of Sales & Marketing
EPOCH Assisted Living at Boylston Place recently announced the hiring of Dawn Marie Johnson as the director of sales and marketing. In her new role, Johnson will provide families and their loved ones with the support they need in choosing the right living situation.
Johnson has more than 15 years’ experience in the senior living industry. Prior to working at EPOCH, she served in similar roles at several regional senior living communities, including Traditions of Dedham and Sunrise of Braintree.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southern Connecticut State University, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in counseling psychology.
Omnicare Appoints James Carlson to Board of Directors
Omnicare, Inc. (NYSE:OCR) announced recently the appointment of experienced health care executive James Carlson to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2013.
Carlson served as Chief Executive Officer of Amerigroup Corporation, a Fortune 500 multi-state managed healthcare company, from 2007 through 2012, becoming chairman of the company’s board of directors in 2008. In December 2012, Amerigroup was acquired by WellPoint, the country’s second largest health insurer, in a transaction valued at nearly $5 billion. Under Mr. Carlson’s leadership, Amerigroup more than doubled the number of state Medicaid programs it served, while growing revenues more than four-fold.
Carlson was the founder of HealthSpring, a physician group practice management company, which was sold to MetraHealth in 1995 (subsequently to become part of United Healthcare). He also served as an Executive Vice President at UnitedHealth Group before leaving to co-found Workscape (later acquired by ADP), a software platform offering Internet applications to help employees understand and manage their health benefits.
Leadership Team Hired for Gateway Senior Living Expansion
Gateway Senior Living is pleased to announce the following team members who have joined the campus in preparation for the new Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation expansion.
Jan Ouellette has been hired as the Clinical Rehab Coordinator. She will oversee clinical operations for short term rehabilitation. Jan brings 36 years of nursing experience to the Gateway team, she has extensive experience in complex medical care and is a Certified Rehabilitation RN as well as Orthopaedic Nurse Certified.
Deb Kallhoff will serve as the Clinical Liaison, directing the admission and discharge process between the campus and the area hospitals, clinics, and health care providers. Kallhoff brings 24 years of health care experience, specializing in case management and discharge planning in both hospitals and nursing homes.
Nancy Holmgren has been hired as the Staff Development Coordinator. She will oversee the development and implementation of staff education, including oversight of the quality assurance programs and services. Holmgren has 33 years of experience in nursing, specializing in acute care, skilled rehabilitation and long-term care, as well as extensive experience managing nursing personnel.
Darcee Fricke will serve as HR/Payroll Coordinator. She will work with team members on benefits, payroll, and team building programs. Fricke has experience working in human resources for a Critical Access Hospital as a payroll supervisor, and clinic coordinator.
Lori Sladek has been hired to serve as the MDS Coordinator for the new skilled nursing campus. She will work directly with residents, families, and the interdisciplinary team to develop individual goals and care expectations. Sladek has 27 years of healthcare experience including over 17 years as an MDS Coordinator.
Courtney Borland has been promoted to manage the nurse staffing coordination and HR Associate role. She will oversee the scheduling and staffing needs for the nursing departments in assisted living, short term rehab, and traditional long term care.
Former Senate Aging Staff Director Joints AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) today announced that Mike Bassett, an experienced advocate for health and public policy initiatives on Capitol Hill, has joined the Association as a Senior Director of Government Affairs. Bassett’s legislative portfolio will include work on both Medicare and Medicaid, in addition to post-acute reforms as well as efforts surrounding hospital readmissions.
Prior to coming to AHCA, Bassett worked as the Senior Policy Advisor for Senator Bob Corker (R-TN). Bassett also formerly served as Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Aging and as Legislative Assistant to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL). In 2003, Mike was appointed as Legislative Assistant of Congressional & Intergovernmental Affairs in the Department of Labor by President George W. Bush.
Bassett received his B.S. in Finance from the University of Florida and currently resides in Washington, D.C.
David Lashar Joins Remedi SeniorCare as Chief Information Officer
Remedi SeniorCare announced in July the addition of David Lashar as Chief Information Offer. With more than twenty years of experience working among leading technology firms, building business cases and driving technology advancements to meet business requirements, Lashar will be an integral addition to the accelerated growth of Remedi’s pharmacy services.
Lashar spent the last nine years with IBM’s Global Business Solutions, developing strategies and executing business transformation programs based on advanced information technologies. As a partner at IBM, he lead the IBM practice for Connected Customers and Connected Vehicles, helping clients define required capabilities, quantify business benefits, select appropriate technologies, and implement systems. He received his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and his BA from Dartmouth College.
Greystone Hires Robert Russell as Head of CMBS Production
Greystone recently announced the appointment of Robert Russell as Head of CMBS Production and Managing Director for the firm’s Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac platform. He will report to Joe Mosley, Executive Managing Director of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lending.
In this newly created position, Russell will coordinate the firm’s production of CMBS loans and originate multifamily Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans for Greystone’s agency platform. He will be based in the New York City office.
Russell brings more than 15 years of real estate experience to Greystone and has executed transactions in excess of $6 billion throughout his distinguished career. Previously, Russell was the Chief Production Officer at Pillar Multifamily, LLC and served as a Managing Director at Wachovia Securities, where his duties included originating and structuring debt/preferred equity transactions in the United States, and establishing Wachovia’s lending operations in Canada. He has also held similar positions at Credit Suisse, Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette and Nomura Asset Capital Corporation.
Russell holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Vermont and a Juris Doctorate from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He serves on the Advisory Board of the School of Business Administration at the University of Vermont.
Highland Springs Appoints Patricia Swan as Associate Executive Director
Highland Springs, the Erickson Living retirement community, announced the appointment of Patricia Swan as its Associate Executive Director.
In her leadership position, Swan will oversee the General Services Department as well as compliance and safety operations at the 89-acre community that is home to over 600 residents and 300 employees.
Swan has over twelve years of sales and operations experience in the senior living industry. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of First Colonial Inn, a Kisco Senior Living community in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
She has served as Past President of the Virginia Beach Task Force on Aging and a Board Member of the Virginia Beach Friends School.
A resident of Plano, Texas, Swan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and a graduate certificate from Cornell University.
Rob Reis Named Vice President of Investment at Marcus & Millichap
Rob Reis has been newly elected as a Vice President of Investment for 2013 at real estate investment services firm Marcus & Millichap. Reis, who works out of the firm’s San Francisco office, received the merit-based designation after achieving superior performance in his sales and investment real estate brokerage career.
Oak Trace Names New Health Services Administrator
Oak Trace senior living community in Downers Grove has named Michelle Hart-Carlson as the new administrator of health services. Hart will oversee all health care services at Oak Trace. Health Services encompasses catered living, skilled nursing, memory support and rehabilitation services.
Hart joins Oak Trace with more than 20 years’ experience in health care services, with a specialty in working with senior living communities and Alzheimer’s care. Most recently, Hart spent three years as an administrator at The Assisi Health Care Center of Clare Oaks in Bartlett, where she worked to increase occupancy by 50 percent and restructured the program, which allowed seniors to utilize more of their Medicare benefits.
Hart joins the growing Health Services team as Oak Trace works to enhance health services and to create innovative programs for the growing number of area seniors. She will take over for Lynn Blakemore, who previously served as the administrator of health services. In the past year, Oak Trace has implemented a variety of new programs to enhance quality of care at the community and educate the community at large about the services offered. Oak Trace has also recently added healthcare outreach liaison Tracy Giglio and Dr. Subhash Shah, the rehabilitation center’s physiatrist.
United Church Homes and Services Names Aimee Reimann COO
Aimee Reimann joined United Church Homes and Services in 2008 as Executive Director of Abernethy Laurels, a continuing care retirement community located in Newton, N.C. In 2011, Reimann was appointed Vice President of Home and Community Based Services for UCHS, where her primary focus was on advancing and implementing new home and community based services to seniors. In 2012, she spearheaded efforts for UCHS’s first PACE Program (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) in Lexington, N.C.
Reimann holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a licensed nursing home administrator in North Carolina and has successfully led a number of health care centers across the State.
Vitera Heatlhcare Solutions Names Jeremy Muench SVP of Client Operations
Vitera Healthcare Solutions, a provider of ambulatory electronic health records (EHR) and practice management software and services, announced recently that Jeremy Muench has joined the company’s leadership team as Senior Vice President of Client Operations.
Muench brings more than 20 years’ experience and an impressive record of accomplishment in healthcare technology, process improvement and operations management.
A Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Muench spent about eight years with McKesson Corporation in a range of leadership roles. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations for McKesson Provider Technologies, a division of McKesson Corporation, where he focused on operational strategy, process, technology and organizational structure. Before that, he served at GE Healthcare and GE Capital, divisions of General Electric, and at Bain & Company, a strategy consulting firm.
Muench graduated from Harvard University Graduate School of Business with an MBA and earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University.
Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services Hires CFO
Thomas J. Kelly has been named Chief Financial Officer for Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services (OPRS). Kelly has served as OPRS’ Controller since Jan. 2007.
Prior to his OPRS employment, Kelly served as Chief Financial Officer of Selby General Hospital in Marietta, Ohio. Before June 2000, he held various financial leadership positions with Ohio Health Corporation, a Columbus-based multi-hospital system for seventeen years.
Kelly graduated from Marietta College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a Master’s of Business Administration from West Virginia University. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Ohio Health Care Federal Credit Union and a member of the Health Care Financial Management Association.
Senior Solutions Management Group Announces Two New Hires
Senior care provider Senior Solutions Management Group (SSMG) announced in late July the recent hires of Sara Horne and Lisa Harvey, both of whom will serve as Executive Directors: Horne for the Wellspring Assisted Living Community in Powell, Tenn. and Harvey for the Lakewood Place and River Oaks Place Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in Loudon, Tenn.
As Executive Directors, Horne and Harvey will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of these communities. Their priority is to ensure that residents receive the highest quality of care, and that the staff are supported and assisted in their daily responsibilities to ensure the expectations of residents and families are exceeded.
Horne comes to the Wellspring assisted living facility, which is dedicated solely to memory and dementia care, with more than 28 years of experience in the healthcare sector working specifically with the geriatric population. In addition to her significant experience working as a nurse in skilled care, Horne brings 13 years of assisted living expertise to the SSMG team and has served in a variety of roles including both Director of Nursing and Executive Director for other assisted living communities in Tennessee. Horne is a graduate of the University of Tennessee.
Harvey has served in various leadership roles as the Director for Senior Home Assistance, a Home Health Nurse, and as the Community Relations Director with Amedysis Home Health, all of which have allowed her to become involved in SSMG’s communities. She is a graduate from Roane State Community College in Applied Science and a graduate from Tennessee Technology Center as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Erickson Living Names Louis Varella Associate Executive Director at Md. CCRC
Riderwood, the Erickson Living retirement community, announced the appointment of Louis W. Varella as its Associate Executive Director. In this position, he will work with administration on campus operations as well as workforce training & development at the 120-acre community that is home to over 2,500 residents and 1,400 employees.
Varella has twenty-five years of operations and finance experience in the senior living industry. Most recently, he served as the Executive Director of Quincy Village Retirement Community in Waynesboro, Pa. He also held regional positions with Marriott International Senior Living Services.
Varella has served on the Board of Trustees for Capital Hospice and the Board of Directors for Montgomery General Hospital, where he represented the hospital on the State of Maryland Hospital Association Executive Committee.
A resident of Hagerstown, Md., Varella holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management & Industrial Relations from the University of Rhode Island and an Executive MBA from Averette College in Danville, Va.
Rising India Announces Election of Walter Luce as New CEO
Rising India, Inc. (pinksheets:RSII) has announced Walter Luce as the company’s new CEO on July 25. In this role, he will direct the company in the senior living community space.
Luce has been a leader in many corporations as CEO for the development of large scale projects in Florida, Georgia, and California. He is focused on Southern California where demand out-strips supply for new developments in senior living accommodations. Southern California offers the weather and Rising India will offer the communities for the Baby Boomers to retire in their more active senior years. Luce will be focused on the company’s multi-million dollar 161-acre project in the Coachella Valley.
Rising India, Inc. is a holding corporation that develops independent living, assisted living and memory center communities. Rising India’s management specialize in acquiring land, securing entitlements for development, along with building and marketing the proposed project.
Vivian and Mary Tellis-Nayak Named 2013 Champion of Quality Award Recipients
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) recently announced Vivian Tellis-Nayak, PhD, and Mary Tellis-Nayak, RN, MSN, MPH, as the 2013 recipients of the Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality award. The couple is being recognized for their contributions to quality in the long term and post-acute care community.
Though they often function as a seamless team, both Vivian and Mary have individually impacted the profession in a unique way. The couple has been involved from the beginning with My InnerView, by National Research Corporation, a business for which the two continue their work on quality long term care services. Mary serves as the Vice President of Quality Initiatives, and Vivian is the Senior Research Advisor.
Vivian, a renowned long term care researcher, quantitatively proved that Directors of Nursing (DoNs) and Nursing Home Administrators (NHAs) are directly related to skilled nursing care center quality performance. He also provided the first quantitative proof that quality in skilled nursing centers has a positive impact on financial revenue and that DoN and NHA turnover are the single best predictors of poor quality and revenues.
Mary, a nurse by trade, has focused the majority of her professional career on promoting the importance, role, and function of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and other direct caregivers. She authored several groundbreaking sets of standards for dementia care units, sub-acute care, and person-centered care. Mary continues to advocate nationally on the topics of quality, long term care leadership, and performance improvement.
Throughout their careers, Vivian and Mary have blended their areas of expertise to provide a multitude of widely used and well-regarded surveys, leadership tools, and quality resources that focus on the importance of high-quality caregiving on overall performance.