Meet Jane
Executive Director
The executive director, along with our friendly and professional staff, strives to create positive, stimulating ways for residents to continue living life with meaning and purpose. We are a friendly family where we treat residents like real people with real life stories.
Our community is a great story that includes heartwarming chapters and incredibly unique characters all in a wonderful setting. Here is the executive director’s story:
In what ways do your residents inspire you?
I am inspired by their life experiences, the honorable way they have lived their lives and their survivorship.
Do you have any memorable experiences with a particular resident you would like to share?
Yes, a very stoic physicist named Tom. He never spoke, let alone smiled, but does have a love of music. I wormed my way into an ensemble (me being the weakest member) of residents. During rehearsal with this group of residents, he smiled, laughed and even jokingly recommended I play a low C instead of a high C!
How do you honor your residents at your community?
I honor their contributions to the community, honor big birthdays, listen to and implement their suggestions when I can and treat them with the utmost respect.
Tell us about a resident with a remarkable life story?
I have a resident who was a physician in a prisoner of war camp on an island in China. While prisoner, he kept a journal over the years that I felt so privileged to be able to read. The amazing part of the story was that another resident was on the ship that rescued those prisoners. They were reacquainted because I asked the questions and realized this incredible small-world story. What a great reunion that was!
Tell us about a resident whose life changed for the better once they moved to your community.
I can’t think of a resident whose life didn’t change for the better once they moved to my community. I constantly receive comments like, “my blood pressure is lower,” and “I have more friends and a busier social life than I’ve ever had,” and “I feel safe, I’m contributing, I’m learning, I’m living!”
How long have you worked in the retirement industry?
I've been in the industry for 16 and a half years.
What do you like best about your job?
I learn something from a resident every day that I walk into our building.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
I think we all work hard to enjoy our leisure time. I really try to make every day count (something else I learned from a resident) and not have any regrets. I love being with my family, especially doing something outdoors like skiing, cycling, hiking or just having a picnic.
If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Joseph Pilates. He developed a way of exercising and developing core strength to actually rehabilitate himself. Today, 100 years later, it is a fitness craze and helping hundreds of thousands of people. I recently had a resident who participates in my chair Pilates class, tell me he felt stronger, he was walking taller and his bone density had improved. I wish I could tell Joseph how he enabled me to help others help themselves.
What’s your favorite movie and why?
My favorite recent movie is definitely “The Bucket List.” It reminds us to live our lives to the fullest. It made me laugh and cry, just what you want from a good movie.
What’s your favorite dish or dessert and why?
My favorite dish is my birthday dinner as a child. It was always roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. I don’t eat red meat very often any more, so it is still real treat.
In what ways do your employees inspire you?
I am constantly overwhelmed by their dedication to the residents and their willingness to go above and beyond.
How do you create a family-like atmosphere at your community?
I try to make work fun, I listen, I’m inclusive, appreciative and respectful.
At The Park at Vernon Hills, we understand that deciding where to live is a big decision that deserves careful thought. We invite you to visit us, stop by for lunch or be a guest at one of our special events or classes. We look forward to meeting you.