Editor’s Note: We are profiling the McKnight’s 2020 Women of Distinction honorees daily through the program’s July 28 online awards ceremony. To learn more about this digital celebration, the Forum the next day (which offers three free continuing education credits July 29) or the program in general, visit mcknightswomenofdistinction.com.

Sarah Randolph headshot
Sarah Randolph

The effect Sarah Randolph has had on Bridge Haven Memory Care since starting as executive director seven years ago is undeniable. Not only has the community grown from serving just eight individuals to almost 40; it also has increased its annual income from $700,000 to more than $3 million.

Randolph has made it her life’s mission to protect and support older adults dealing with cognitive change while also empowering their caregivers. Her passion for doing so began while working in nonprofit hospice care for seven years before landing at Bridge Haven.

She also has given back to the industry, serving on the Governor’s Council for a state dementia plan in Kansas. Additionally, she helped form the Action Committee to Protect Kansans with Dementia in partnership with the Kansas Advocates for Better Care and Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging.

Randolph has mentored several directors at other assisted living and memory care communities in the region, and she also trains new staff members at Bridge Haven — a role she takes very seriously. 

She believes that improving the lives of residents and empowering caregivers starts with education and has attended two years of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. She also is a licensed adult care home operator — with a perfect operator exam score — and has a certificate as a dementia practitioner. 

“This is the work I was born to do, and I spend my time supporting those who share my vision that this is important work,” she said.

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. The program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare. Silver sponsors are OnShift and PharMerica, and the Signature sponsor is Acadia Pharmaceuticals.