Movers & Shakers: National Healthcare’s New Managing Director

National Healthcare Development Hires New Managing Director

National Healthcare Development, the development branch of National Healthcare Realty providing customized real estate solutions for providers across the continuum of care, hired John Patnode as managing director of design & construction.

In his new role, Patnode will oversee design and construction efforts for the firm’s post-acute and senior housing division. Before accepting this new position, Patnode was managing director of design and construction for New Dawn Memory Care, a private national senior housing operator.

“We are very pleased to have someone of John’s caliber join our organization and bring such a high level of professionalism and expertise to our platform,” Jecoah Byrnes, President and CEO of National Healthcare, said in a statement. “Our clients stand to be the beneficiaries of John’s expertise and oversight as he contributes industry knowledge and relationships to our many de novo development projects.”

Northbridge Companies Welcomes New Vice President of Sales

New England-based senior living developer Northbridge Companies welcomed Mel Horan as vice president of sales, a newly created executive position as the company continues to expand.

In her new role, Horan will be responsible for the oversight of sales training, hiring, recruiting, overall sales initiatives, sales of all start-ups and sales oversight of the Northbridge community portfolio. She will travel between 15 Northbridge communities to work closely with staff.

Horan brings more than 28 years of experience in the senior living industry to the position. She most recently served as regional vice president of sales at Brightview Senior Living, and worked for The Salmon Family of Services and Newton Senior Living (now Atria Senior Living) prior to that.

“Joining Northbridge Companies is an incredible opportunity to help the next generation of seniors connect with a community that offers engaging experiences paired with the highest quality of care,” Horan said in a statement. “Having seen the senior living industry evolve over the years, I know that Northbridge Companies offers the best senior living residences in New England, and they are committed to putting the needs and wants of seniors first instead of trying to fit them into a community that has a one-size-fits-all mentality.”

The Buckingham Names New Director of Therapy

The Buckingham, a senior living community in Houston, Texas, named Lauren Jung as its new director of therapy.

Jung previously served as rehab director for Therapy Management Corporation and worked with The Buckingham to assess and improve residents’ functional independence. She also created care plans for residents to ensure they received the appropriate therapy services.

“We are beyond excited to have Lauren join our team at The Buckingham,” Executive Director Julie Fenske said in a statement. “Over the last three years, we partnered with Lauren to provide therapy for residents. She has helped the residents overcome physical challenges, and she has consistently taught them how to incorporate therapeutic techniques into their daily routines. Her proven track record and her determination to positively impact the residents; lives maker her a tremendous asset.”

The Buckingham is located on 17 acres and consists of 204 independent living residences, 43 private assisted living apartments, 16 memory support suites and 60 skilled nursing rooms.

US Memory Care of Cedar Park Announces New Resident Services Director

US Memory Care of Cedar Park announced the hire of Melanie Francisco as the community’s resident services director.

In the role, Francisco will be responsible for the Austin, Texas, community’s innovative wellness program and the team of caregivers providing 24/7 care for residents, working closely with medical and home health professionals supporting residents. She will also direct the community’s new wellness program, which includes approaches to memory care and treatment involving music therapy, essential oils, pet therapy and more.

Francisco previously worked at Genitive Hospice, where she managed the medical, pharmaceutical, emotional and spiritual care of hospice patients and provided support to family members. She is a registered nurse and brings nearly five years of senior nursing care experience to the position.

“Having an experienced, college-educated registered nurse on staff is certainly an asset to our community, and one that sets us apart,” US Memory Care COO Tami Cumings said in a statement. “However, it’s Melanie’s genuine passion for improving the lives of others that makes her a perfect addition to our Cedar Park team.”

Seabrook Promotes New Director of Resident Life

Seabrook, an Erickson Living continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, promoted Jennifer McNamara to director of resident life. She had formerly served as the resident life manager at the community.

As director of resident life, McNamara will provide leadership and operational oversight to several departments, including community resources, social work, philanthropy, pastoral ministries, television studio, fitness center, certified home health and more. She started at Seabrook in 2003 as a social work intern and worked her way up through the positions of social worker, social work manager, social work team leader for Erickson Living Retirement Communities and, most recently, resident life manager.

“Jennifer’s leadership experience at Seabrook has been progressive and demonstrates her ability to drive positive change and lead larger teams all focused on truly enhancing our resident experience,” Seabrook Executive Director Todd DeLaney said in a statement. “She is dedicated to our mission of helping people live better lives by creating an environment for our residents to enjoy an active and secure retirement lifestyle.

Riderwood Welcomes New Executive Director

Riderwood, an Erickson Living retirement community located in Silver Spring, Maryland, welcomed Gary Hibbs as its executive director.

Hibbs has worked with Erickson Living since 1995, most recently serving as the executive director of Oak Crest, a sister community located in northeastern Baltimore County. He has also been a regional executive director and executive director of communities in Michigan and New Jersey. Prior to that, he was an administrator at Wellington Manor, a long-term care facility in Clinton, Maryland.

In his new position at Riderwood, Hibbs will oversee daily operations at the 120-acre community, which houses 2,600 residents and employs 1,400 people.

“His professional life has been dedicated to not only serving the residents of Erickson Living, but also advocating for older adults across the nation,” Chip Warner, vice president of regional operations for Erickson Living, said in a statement. “Riderwood will continue to thrive as a place where our residents live better lives, in part because of Gary’s dedication to our mission.”

Genesys Health System President Appointed to Lead Ascension Mid-Michigan

Genesys Health System President Chris Palazzolo has been appointed to lead the Ascension Mid-Michigan region, assuming the role of Betsy Aderholdt after she retires June 30.

Before becoming president of Genesys Health System, Palazzolo served as the system’s executive vice president and COO for five years. Prior to that, he worked as CFO and later COO at St. John Hospital and Medical Center, an Ascension Michigan ministry. He also was a senior vice president and CFO of Detroit Medical Center.

“I am completely confident that the ministries of Ascension Mid-Michigan will be in the most capable, competent hands with Chris Palazzolo,” Aderholdt said in a statement. “Chris and I have worked closely together for the last eight years and have skill sets that complement each other extremely well.”

Ascension is a faith-based, not-for-profit health care system comprising 2,000 care sites, including 137 hospitals and more than 30 senior living facilities in 24 states and Washington, D.C.

SimpleC Hires New Vice President of Sales

SimpleC LLC, a company that uses media-based, non-drug therapy in an attempt to improve the quality of life and assist in the care of seniors with memory loss, appointed Avanlee Okragly as its new vice president of sales.

In her new role, Okragly will be tasked with building client relationships for SimpleC and achieving fast-pawed growth for the company. She comes to SimpleC with national experience in selling software and service in the health care market, a background the company hopes can be used to advance its tablet technology to provide an alternative to medication.

SimpleC has developed visual and audio alternatives to drugs in an effort to promote wellness-management of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments.

“Avanlee is the leader we were looking for and is a great addition to the SimpleC team as we accelerate our growth in memory support and mental health behavioral services,” SimpleC President and CEO Dan Pompilio said in a news release.

Written by Kourtney Liepelt