Movers & Shakers: Legacy, Oakmont, Front Porch

Always Best Care Names New Territory Owner

Roseville, California-based Always Best Care Senior Services has named husband-and-wife team Ethan and Ian Kim as the new owners of its San Diego South Territory.

The agency provides non-medical in-home senior care services and free assisted living placements to local communities like Coronado, Downtown North Park, South Bay and South San Diego. In collaboration with fellow franchisees, Bill and Diane Mathis of Always Best Care of San Diego, the Kims will offer home health services throughout all of San Diego County.

Ethan brings more than two decades of corporate experience to Always Best Care of San Diego South. Ian previously worked as a teacher in the juvenile court system to help guide at-risk youth. The entrepreneurs have lived in San Diego for nearly 20 years and have established a strong network within the community by volunteering with local non-profit organizations such as Anchor City Church, Help Portrait, Feeding America, San Diego Rescue Mission and Curie Community Service Group.

Green Appointed Administrator of Wingate at Sudbury

Wingate Healthcare, a provider of assisted living, independent living, memory care and skilled nursing based in Needham, Massachusetts, has appointed Miatta Green as administrator of its community in Sudbury, Massachusetts.

In her new role, Green will be responsible for managing all aspects of the community, including its skilled nursing, rehabilitation and respite care services.

Previously, Green has served as administrator for the past six years, working in post-acute and clinically complex skilled nursing facilities. She holds a master’s of science degree in healthcare administration from the University of Maryland University College, and earned the Lean Six Sigma certification. She is also certified in clinical research and grant writing.

On the community level, Green is a volunteer and board member for several non-profit organizations, previously serving as a state volunteer long-term care ombudsman.

LifeSpire Appoints D’Ardenne, Evans to Leadership Roles at The Glebe

Glen Allen, Virginia-Based LifeSpire of Virginia, an operator of continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), has named Ellen D’Ardenne as executive director of The Glebe, a LifeSpire CCRC in Daleville,Virginia.

Previously, D’Ardenne served as administrator of health services at The Glebe. She joined the community in 2005 as the director of dining services.

With 25 years of food service management in the hotel, restaurant and senior living industries, she pursued a health care administration degree in 2006, leading her to become a licensed nursing home administrator in June 2010. With this experience, she assumed leadership of The Glebe’s health and wellness programs in April 2011.

In a related move, The Glebe’s director of nursing, Brandon Evans, has been promoted to administrator of health services, the position vacated by D’Ardenne’s promotion.

A registered nurse, Evans joined The Glebe in 2011. His nursing background includes supervisory responsibilities over a large skilled nursing program with more than 180-skilled beds, infection control, quality improvement and staff development.

Evans holds an associate’s degree in science, registered nursing, cum laude from Virginia Western Community College. He received a bachelor of science in nursing from the Jefferson College of Health Science.

Garner to Assume Executive Role for Oakmont Senior Living

Industry veteran Sheila Garner will join Windsor, California-based senior housing operator Oakmont Senior Living’s executive team as vice president of strategic programs, effective October 16.

Garner brings more than 40 years of industry experience to her new role for Oakmont. She has served in various leadership roles, ranging from community executive director to division vice president.

She is both a California licensed nursing home administrator and certified administrator for assisted living (RCFE) in California. Throughout her career, she has supported more than 140 senior living communities, including continuing care retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living and memory care communities.

Garner is also heavily involved in the industry outside of her professional roles, currently serving as the immediate past chair of the California Assisted Living Association (CALA). She has also served on the organization’s board, as well as in public policy for 12 years.

Garner holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University Hayward and a post-graduate certificate of business management from the University of Southern California.

Heritage Senior Living Welcomes Two New Members to Corporate Team

West Allis, Wisconsin-based Heritage Senior Living has welcomed two new clinical and quality-focused positions to its corporate team.

Stepping into the newly formed role of vice president of quality is Karen Schach. In her new role, she will oversee the review and implementation of quality procedures and practices throughout the company.

Schacht holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration and is a certified dementia practitioner. She has worked in a variety of roles in the senior health care industry, including assisting in managing operations, quality improvement, business development and acquisitions, as well as speaking nationally on the topic of assisted living.

Joining the team as vice president of clinical and medical operations is Jaime Schwingel.

Schwinger has a master’s degree in nursing with an executive leadership concentration, and brings more than 20 years of nursing experience, including 13 years in leadership roles, as well as 10 years providing legal nurse consulting for attorneys.

Rodriguez Steps Up to Director Role for Watercrest Senior Living Group

Vero Beach, Florida-based Watercrest Senior Living Group has named Mariola Rodriguez as community relations director of Market Street Memory Care Residence in Tampa, Florida.

Slated to open in January 2018, Market Street will be a 64-unit senior living community specializing in care for seniors living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Rodriguez has prior experience in the startup and development of similar communities, opening both Watercrest Lake Nona Assisted Living and Memory Care in Orlando, and Market Street Memory Care Residence Viera in Melbourne, Florida.

Rodriguez is a nationally certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer.

WESTliving Welcomes New General Manager at Bella Villaggio

WESTliving, a Carlsbad, California-based senior living provider, has welcomed Dee Wieringa as general manager of its Bella Villaggio community in Palm Desert, California. Slated to open in spring 2018, the community will offer independent living, assisted living and memory care services.

Wieringa brings more than a decade of leadership experience in senior living administration, marketing and sales. Prior to joining WESTliving, she held multiple leadership positions in the Coachella Valley and San Diego.

She was previously the administrator at various California-based communities, including Caleo Bay Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in La Quinta; executive director and administrator at Stonewall Gardens Assisted Living in Palm Springs and Aegis Senior Living in Escondido; and administrator at Oakmont of Segovia in Palm Desert.

Silverman Assumes Director of Nursing Role for Erickson Living Community

Seabrook, an Erickson Living retirement community in Tinton Falls, N.J., has named industry veteran Dawn Silverman, RN, as director of nursing for its continuing care neighborhood, The Gardens.

Silverman brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience to her her new role.

Prior to joining Seabrook, Silverman served as assistant director of nursing at Virtua Health System in Voorhees, New Jersey. She also held various roles at health care provider AtlanticCare in Pomona, New Jersey, including catastrophic care manager, clinical manager, house supervisor, emergency room nurse, medical/surgical, and cardiac telemetry staff nurse.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in health services administration from Drexel University and recently completed certification in nursing leadership from Villanova University.

The Legacy Senior Communities Names New President/CEO

Plano, Texas-based The Legacy Senior Communities has appointed Melissa Orth as its new president and CEO.

The not-for-profit organization is the parent company of The Legacy Willow Bend, a life care retirement community in Plano; The Legacy at Home, a home health agency; and The Legacy Midtown Park, a rental continuing care retirement community under development in Dallas.

Prior to this appointment Orth served as CEO and CFO of Greenhill School in Addison, Texas, for the past 17 years. In this role, she supervised the management of campus operations, including facilities, human resources, technology, security, health services and purchasing. Orth also managed all financial operations and financial reporting.

Orth graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kansas State University. She is also a certified public accountant.

Salvador Assumes CFO Post at Front Porch

Front Porch, a Glendale-based non-profit organization providing full-service retirement, active adult and affordable housing services, has named Ed Salvador, as chief financial officer.

He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience with management teams, both with for-profit and non-profit organizations. He specializes in health care financial reporting, revenue cycle management, payor contract negotiations, program performance assessment, operations improvement strategies and development of information systems.

Prior to joining the company, he served as CFO for St. Jude Medical Center and as CFO for Tenet Healthcare at Garden Grove Hospital Medical Center and Community and Mission Hospitals of Huntington Park, where he directed all financial activities for the investor-owned company.

Salvador graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a master’s degree in business administration. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from California State University, Long Beach.

Written by Carlo Calma