Jean Makesh

Jean Makesh named Influencer of Aging 

Jean Makesh, CEO of The Lantern memory care and assisted living communities in Northeast Ohio, has been named one of the 2016 Influencers of Aging by Next Avenue, a PBS-produced website. He is included in the “Living and Learning” category.

“Makesh is using an inventive combination of therapies, design thinking and technology to create what he calls a Svayus approach to memory care: ‘a time capsule designed to cue and retrieve memories to enable our clients to live a life that is cheerful, brimming with happiness and vigor,’ ” according to the article on the site. “His approach includes designing facilities that remind residents of their childhood to put them at ease and reduce the agitation and anxiety that often plagues those with dementia and Alzheimer’s.”

A photo of The Lantern of Chagrin Valley in Chagrin Falls, OH, likened to a miniature golf course went viral earlier this year after the Huffington Post shared a Reddit post at the end of August. Lantern communities also are located in Madison and South Russell, OH. 

Laura Lamb named CEO of Episcopal Retirement Services

Laura Lamb has been named president and CEO of Episcopal Retirement Services. The former executive vice president will succeed Doug Spitler, who is retiring at the end of the year after 34 years of service.

Lamb has been with the company for 22 years and before her appointment last year as executive vice president held the position of vice president of housing and healthcare.

“Laura has been a key player in the success of ERS over the past several years,” said ERS Board of Directors Chairwoman Robin Smith. “Among other important responsibilities, she heads up the Strategic Planning Committee and the Master Planning Committee. In addition to her work ethic, demonstrated record of success and deep knowledge of our company and our industry, she is the embodiment of our person-centered culture every day, and this was a critical factor in our decision.”

The ERS Board of Directors has been working since May 2015 to identify and appoint Spitler’s successor. Executive search firm Witt Kieffer was hired to conduct a national search and reported to a specially formed committee consisting of board members and Director of Organizational Development and Human Resources Joan Wetzel. 

Kent McRae named CEO of Mease Manor Retirement Community

Kent McRae has been named the new president and CEO of the not-for-profit CCRC Mease Manor Retirement Community, Dunedin, FL. The appointment is effective Dec. 12. 

McRae has worked in CCRCs in Florida and other states. He most recently was chief operating officer at Moorings Park in Naples, FL.

McRae will succeed President and CEO Jack Norton, grandson of the founder of Mease Manor. Norton is retiring in December after 24 years as president.

Luda Munoz appointed VP of human resources at Anthem Memory Care

Luda Munoz has been appointed vice president of human resources for Anthem Memory Care. She will oversee strategic planning, development and implementation of human resource programs that further the company’s mission to protect, engage and love people living with memory loss and to be an employer of choice.  

Munoz joined Anthem as human resources director in 2014. She previously held executive positions in human resources with InterDent Service Corp. and Stratus Dental Group and served as a recruiter for Kaiser Permanente.

She received a master’s degree in leadership and organizational capability from Warner Pacific College and an undergraduate degree in business in human resource management from Portland State University.

Anthem operates 10 memory care communities in California, Colorado, Illinois and Kansas, with an 11th under construction in Illinois. The company is based in Lake Oswego, OR. 

Bridget McNally named community relations director at Market Street community 

Bridget McNally has been named community relations director at Watercrest Senior Living group’s new, 60-unit Market Street Memory Care Residence of Viera in Melbourne, FL. 

McNally most recently was a sales director for Kisco Senior Living, receiving many awards in her eight-year tenure, among them 2012 Highest Number of Move-Ins, 2013 Highest Number of Move-Ins from Referral Sources, and 2015 Passion for Excellence Leadership Award.

Market Street Memory Care Residence of Viera is the first of three Market Street communities under development by Watercrest Senior Living Group. The 44,000-square-foot community will feature natural lighting, internal courtyards with gardens, circular walkways, visual cueing and multiple social gathering places. Market Plaza, a central gathering space for residents, will have fresh flowers, trees and a streetscape offering interaction at a post office, art gallery, bakery, spa and salon or amidst daily multi-sensory activities.

All Market Street associates undergo training to receive certificates as nationally certified dementia care practitioners.

Robert Westervelt receives compliance award

Robert Westervelt, vice president of operational audit and compliance for Acts Retirement-Life Communities, recently was awarded the 2016 Fellow of the Trust: Chief Compliance Officer at the 2016 Healthcare Best Compliance Practices Forum. This award is given to distinguished healthcare leaders who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in healthcare ethics and compliance, and 2016 marks the first time it was given to an individual working the senior living industry.

Under Westervelt’s leadership, Acts has become the first organization in the senior living industry to have its compliance program certified by Health Ethics Trust, a group formed by the Council of Ethical Organizations to assist healthcare organizations committed to ethical and legal conduct through educational programs, research and shared best practices. 

Nikki Campbell honored by California Assisted Living Association 

Nikki Campbell, resident care associate at Brookdale Bakersfield, has received the Excellence in Service – Outstanding Caregiver of the Year Award from the California Assisted Living Association. 

The award honors a caregiver and/or medication assistant who is deemed to have provided outstanding care and demonstrated through words and deeds an excellent commitment to those entrusted to their care. 

Campbell has worked for Brookdale for more than 11 years and cares for residents via Brookdale’s Clare Bridge Program, which focuses on those living with Alzheimer’s or related dementias.

“Nikki always works to go above and beyond her normal job duties,” said Pam Parkkila, executive director of Brookdale Bakersfield, a continuing care retirement / life plan community. “The residents are her priority, and it shows when she makes sure their needs and requests are met. Her commitment to their comfort is exceptional.” 

Campbell said she was “shocked” to receive the honor. “I simply treat my residents as though they are family because they truly are my family,” she said.

Robert T. Howell named executive director of The Samarkand

Robert T. Howell has been named executive director of The Samarkand, a faith-based, not-for-profit CCRC in Santa Barbara, CA. He will report to Terri Cunliffe, president and CEO of Covenant Retirement Communities.

In his new position, Howell will oversee a staff of 215 and overall operations for 205 residential living apartments, 53 assisted living apartments, 16 memory support assisted living apartments and a 63-bed, Medicare-approved skilled nursing center.

This year, The Samarkand celebrates 50 years as a Covenant Retirement Community and 60 years as a Santa Barbara retirement community.

Howell is a member of LeadingAge, has served on the board of directors and in the cabinet and House of Delegates for LeadingAge, and is a member of the nonprofit Health Care Compliance Association.

He earned an undergraduate degree in economics from Whitworth University, Spokane, WA; a graduate diploma in Christian studies from Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia; and a certificate in gerontology from the University of Washington, Seattle.

Howell joins the 360-resident community from Covenant Village of Turlock, a sister community in Turlock, CA, where he served as executive director. Before that, he was vice president of CRISTAMinistries in Seattle.

Tanya Brannan named new executive director at Amelia Place

Tanya Brannan is the new executive director at Amelia Place, an Enlivant assisted living community in Council Bluffs, IA. In this role, she is responsible for the management and oversight of the 50-unit community. 

“Brannan brings strong management experience to the community to ensure Amelia Place continues to provide our residents with quality services and care,” said Area Manager of Operations Eric Benson. “We are committed to being a resource and a solution for the seniors and families in Council Bluffs.”

Richard Nordsiek named executive director at Morningside 

Richard Nordsiek is the new executive director at Morningside, a CCRC / life plan community in Fullerton, CA.

In this role, Nordsiek serves as head of staff, with complete oversight of the community, including the planning, performance and review of all departments and operations. He also oversees the financial management of Morningside in an effort to sustain the community’s long-term economic health and viability. 

“The executive director is central to the successful operation of Morningside, with its emphasis on healthy, active living for residents,” said E. Justin Wilson III, executive vice president and managing partner for Morningside. “Richard is a career professional in the long-term care field, with a deep commitment to residents and their families. His strong administrative and interpersonal skills will be critical in managing a large, diverse staff and executing our core values of service, team success, excellence and integrity from senior management on down.”

Nordsiek previously was executive director at Rowntree Gardens, a CCRC in Stanton, CA, where he had oversight of all operations, including marketing and sales, dining services and human resources. A longtime employee of the community, Nordsiek began his career at Rowntree Gardens as a member of the dining services team. He rose to dining room supervisor, director of transportation and purchasing and director of support services before being named executive director in 2013. 

Nordsiek is a licensed nursing home administrator and a certified administrator for the residential care facility for the elderly. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Morningside of Fullerton includes 327 apartments and single-story homes, a clubhouse and access to long-term care at Park Vista Health Center located next door

North Hill hires two

North Hill, Needham, MA, has hired Janice Masi as executive director of its new home and community based services division. Her role will be to launch several new HCBS initiatives out to adults aged 55 or more living within a 20-mile radius of Needham. 

Masi comes to North Hill with three decades of experience in healthcare operations. Before joining North Hill, she was a member of the founding team for Caregiver Homes / Seniorlink, an emerging growth eldercare company that implements innovative models of care and services for elders and disabled individuals living in the community. She previously served as vice president for Eastern Rehabilitation Network, Hartford, CT, and Prism Rehab Systems of Boston.

Masi holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Boston University and an undergraduate degree in human development at the University of Massachusetts. 

Also at North Hill, Helinka Mills has joined as community liaison for Connected for Life, a new Lifecare at home program that was introduced by the CCRC / life plan community in October. She brings more than 25 years of hospitality and financial planning expertise to North Hill’s Connected for Life team. 

In her new role, Mills is responsible for connecting adults aged 55 or more years with the program, which offers financial predictability, care coordination and wellness opportunities to meet their needs. Mills is the point person, educating prospective members about the benefits of Lifecare at home.

Before joining Connected for Life, Mills was involved in all aspects of personal financial planning, including developing retirement, risk management and asset protection solutions for clients in major cities around the country. During her years in hospitality sales and management with the Hilton Hotels Corp., she gained first-hand understanding of connecting individuals across the country with services.

Mills holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and earned her financial planning certification from the College for Financial Planning.

Vi Seng now guest relations specialist at The Springs at Monarch Landing

Vi Seng has assumed the new position of guest relations specialist at The Springs at Monarch Landing, a CCRC / life plan community in Naperville, IL.

“Vi is one of the first friendly faces that guests and residents will see when they come through the doors, and will ease the transition from home or hospital to The Springs,” said Samantha Breden, director of business development at The Springs. “She’ll continue to check in on them throughout their stay.”

The Springs at Monarch Landing creating the position to put residents and their families first and to enable nurses, therapists and others to focus on the care aspects of their positions rather than addressing questions and concerns, Breden said. “A guest relations specialist position is a bit unique for a retirement community, and we’re excited to take creating great customer service to the next level,” she added. 

A native of Laos, Seng said that she was very close to her grandmother. “She was like a second mom to me, and I learned a lot from her,” she said. “There is so much that I can learn from the elderly. They always have a special place in my heart. Working at The Springs makes me feel closer to my grandma. It’s really an indescribable experience.”

LCB Senior Living announces several appointments 

LCB Senior Living, based in Norwood, MA, has announced several appointments: 

  • Kelly McCarthy (pictured) is the new corporate manager of memory care and resident engagement.
  • Shauna Bennett has been named the resident engagement director at The Residence at Watertown Square, Watertown, MA.
  • Christine Crimaldi has been named the residence care director at Windrose at Woburn, Woburn, MA.
  • Ann Duke has been named sales and marketing director at The Residence at South Windsor Farms, South Windsor, CT.
  • Alyssa Mackey has been named memory care program director at The Residence at The Salem Woods, Salem, NH.
  • Christine Mateer has been named sales and marketing director at The Residence at Five Corners, Easton, MA.
  • Ashleigh Polvado has been named resident care director at Traditions of Dedham Dedham, MA.
  • Pam Simpson has been named executive director of The Residence at Riverbend in Ipswich, MA.
  • Allyson Sweeney has been named executive director of The Residence at Shelburne Bay, Shelburne, VT.
  • Caryl Tyrpak, RN, has been named resident care director at The Residence at Pearl Street, Reading, MA.