Meet Sabina
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:
How long have you worked in the retirement industry?
10 years
What do you like best about your job?
That each and every day is different, but mostly getting to know the residents and their families, listening to their stories.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
I enjoy going to the movies and playing with my grandchildren – Grace and Preston.
If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be and why?
My grandmother on my mother’s side. She raised seven wonderful girls alone during the war. My mother’s father was killed when she was only 4 years old. The stories I’m told by my mother are fascinating.
What’s your favorite movie and why?
Oh my… so many to choose from. Here’s just a few: Harry Potter series, it’s a Wonderful Life and The Blind Side. I really enjoy movies that are inspirational and show how we should strive to live – helping others.
What’s your favorite dish or dessert and why?
Most any German dish and black forest cake. My mother is from Europe. When I was a little girl she would tell us stories about her childhood while making dinner. I haven’t found a German Restaurant yet that cooks as good as mom!!
In what ways do your residents inspire you?
They inspire me with their life journeys and stories. The inspirations I get from the residents are through their life stories about their careers, their families and the places they have lived and traveled. I have heard some of the most fascinating stories.
Do you have any memorable experiences with a particular resident you would like to share?
I had an Alzheimer’s resident who had lost her leg prior to moving in with us. She had previously been a model and was completely withdrawn. The family was afraid to pull out pictures of her youth thinking it would only upset her. We took a chance and retraced her life, placing pictures of her on the walls sitting with her and talking about her pageants etc. It didn’t take but a couple days and she was out and about with other residents and employees, participating in all activities and loved to sing most of all. The family was ecstatic, but most importantly she was content and happy again.
How do you honor your residents at your community?
I honor them by listening to them every chance I get. No matter how busy the day may be I make sure to never turn away an opportunity to listen, whether it’s to hear a story or to listen to a concern.
Tell us about a resident whose life changed for the better once they moved to your community.
We have a resident who worked for the pentagon. After moving to our community she immediately began to work with employees and residents to provide a lasting impression for all new residents. After serving as President of Resident Council she now volunteers out in the local community and is one of our most positive supporters.
In what ways do your employees inspire you?
Coming into this industry with over 15 years in Human Resources I truly understand the value in our employees. To be part of a community in this industry they must have the right heart and patience. I embrace their commitment and enjoy it when they come up with some of the most incredible ideas that enhance/improve productivity or go out of their way for a resident by providing outstanding service above expectations.
How do you create a family-like atmosphere at your community?
By nature I’m family-oriented and enjoy eating lunch with the staff or sending them a personal note to just say thank you. I enjoy celebrating all cultures with them and welcome our differences.
Tell us about an employee who embodies one of our core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, professionalism or teamwork.
My Business Office Manager is the epitome of what we all strive to be on a daily basis. She is very patient with us all and even if she is very busy you will never know it because she stops what she is doing and gives you undivided attention until she has resolved your issue.