Colorado Health Care Association

09/30/2024

Blood, sweat, and tears are just some of the ingredients that make up those who work in long-term care. Whether it be supporting residents as they make end-of-life decisions or buoying their famili…

09/25/2024

Eight retired military members in Colorado Springs had the chance to take flight again. The nonprofit 'Dream Flights' gave these veterans 15 minutes in the air aboard a restored 1942 Stearman biplane.

08/12/2024

Congratulations to the 2024 Spotlight on Excellence Finalists! We look forward to celebrating you and your communities at the Spotlight on Excellence Finalists Reception and Awards Gala!

Activities

Haley Ashley, Bear Creek Senior Living
Martha Sanchez, Colonial Health and Rehabilitation Center
Tiffany Vigil, Fountain View Health & Rehabilitation Center

Social Services

Michelle Lay/ Bernie Leksander, Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimmons
Dawn McDermott, Bruce McCandless Veterans Community Living Center
Teresa Nyquist, Life Care Center of Evergreen

Nurse

Hope Butler, Briarwood Health Care Center
Metasebia Tadesse, Uptown Health Center
Leslie Van, Desert Willow Health and Rehabilitation Center

Health Information Management

Yolanda Salt, Vista Grande Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Natalie Ubaldo, Uptown Health Center
Doug Walsh, Suites at Clermont Park

Nurse Administration

Crystal Coe, Colorow Care Center
Seifu Tulu, Uptown Care Center
Michelle Quihuiz, Elk Run Assisted Living

Assisted Living Caregiver

Patricia Barnes, Elk Run Assisted Living
Jennifer Nugent, Broadmoor Court Assisted Living
Kris Worthy, Someren Glen Retirement Community

Business Office Management

Steven Bennett, Life Care Center of Evergreen
Lori Fortier, Elk Run Assisted Living

Nursing Home Administrator

Laura Depauw, Kiowa Hills health and Rehabilitation
Ashley Trujillo, Colorado State Veterans Community Center- Rifle
Dawn Loveless, Valley View Care Center

Environmental Services

Aaron Dalton-Kenedy, The Rehabilitation Center at Sandalwood
Gareld Pratt, Bruce McCandless Veterans Community Living Center
Dagmar Wikberg, Life Care Center of Evergreen

Administrative Support

Stephen Noran, Briarwood Health Care Center
Raina Rutschka, Westlake Care Community
Sherri Walters, Bear Creek Senior Living

Certified Nursing Assistant

District I: Suren Bhandari, The Suites at Holly Creek
District II: Paula Kowalczyk, Fairacres Manor
District III: Anthony Sanchez, Kiowa Hills Health & Rehabilitation
District IV: Carly Herrick, Gunnison Valley Health Senior Care Center
District V: Chantalla Gallegos, Desert Willow Health and Rehabilitation Center
District VI: Ray Dunlap, Pine Ridge Rehabilitation & Healthcare

Food, Nutrition and Dining

Sarita Graham, Falcon Heights Health and Rehabilitation
Irmatine Lewis, Uptown Care Center
Shukraht Shayusupov, Life Care Center of Evergreen

Therapy

Patricia Kent, Falcon Heights Health and Rehabilitation
Joey Seal, Life Care Center of Stonegate
Margaret Stone, Life Care Center of Evergreen

Assisted Living Administrator

**Winner to be Announced**

Partner in Quality

Charles Perry, Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimmons
John Stewart, Vivage Beecan

08/05/2024

Good morning! Please welcome the newest member of CHCA, Theodore (his friends call him Theo ❤️) !

05/13/2024

What's My Why: Mark Bedinger, President/CEO, Colavria

Who am I?

I am the founder and owner of Colavria Hospitality. I started Colavria in 2004 after working as a NHA for 12 years. I am a husband and father of 3 girls and an avid Colorado Avalanche fan. My family moved to Colorado in 1974.

What do I do?

I am the President and CEO of Colavria Hospitality. We have 3 SNFs and 4ALs all in Colorado. We also do clinical and operations consulting in many buildings in Colorado.

How did I get into Senior Living?

I started my LTC career in food service, running the kitchen in a SNF back in 1989. I didn’t know anything about a nursing home when I started as I was transitioning from running restaurant kitchens. I quickly fell in love with the residents and making them happy with the food we cooked day in and day out.

What keeps me drawn to LTC?

I continue to work in LTC after 35 years because I love our mission to serve our residents. I am always amazed at the dedication and caring of the employees that work in LTC. My mom passed away in a nursing home, so I know first-hand what it’s like to be on both the family side and the staff side of things. I can think of no other job I would rather have than what I do each day.

04/10/2024

Our President & CEO Doug Farmer spent a day in the life of a Post Acute Resident. See his story and what he learned from the experience here:

https://www.providermagazine.com/Articles/Pages/Changing-Perspective-Part-1-My-Day-as-a-Post-Acute-Care-Resident.aspx

https://www.providermagazine.com/Articles/Pages/Changing-Perspective-Part-2-My-Day-as-a-Post-Acute-Care-Resident.aspx

04/02/2024

What's My Why: Chrissy Swanson, Executive Director/NHA at Bear Creek Senior Living.

What do you do?

I have 43 years of progressive healthcare and administrative experience. Currently responsible for the overall administration of 120 Assisted Living including Memory Care apartments as well as 45 Supervised and Skilled Nursing beds at Bear Creek Senior Living. As part of Stellar Senior Living, I am a Constellation Leader providing support for other communities in regulatory, financials, sales, and leadership. I serve the community on a variety of committees including Southern Colorado Healthcare Coalition, LTC Ethics Co-Chair, and CHCA Executive State Board as the CCAL Chair. I humbly served from 2016 to 2023 as a founding member of the Pikes Peak Elder Shelter Program, now the Elder Justice Center giving safe haven to over 200 mistreated and abused seniors. My primary platform as the NCAL State Leader has been workforce development when the pandemic took its toll on our industry. Bear Creek Senior Living is proud to collaborate with UCCS to be a pilot community for the JAWS program. JAWS (Jumpstart Aging Workforce Solutions) focuses on giving High School students the experience and reward of working with our wonderful residents. Bringing together the current and the next generation of those that dedicate themselves to Colorado Long-Term Care is my passion!

How did you get into senior living?

I worked at Centura Health (now Common Spirit) for 33 years where I had the opportunity in 2008 to transfer to Namaste Alzheimer's Center and fell in love with “residents” vs “patients”. Providing care and services in their home drew me into a different culture of being part of their lives on a daily basis. I completed an AIT program at Medalion Retirement Community and have been a licensed NHA since 2012. I worked for Sava SeniorCare for 7 years and gained a wealth of knowledge and experience caring for our senior population. I joined the Stellar Bear Creek family in 2021 where I’ve been an advocate for our seniors to have a safe and comfortable environment.

What keeps you drawn to LTC?

Core values of Service, Inspiration, Integrity and Joy! I love being of service to others and ED/NHA is a very fulfilling role, helping others every day. I hope to inspire with integrity the team members to provide a wonderful quality of life for the residents. I love mentoring leaders to provide a better workplace environment for the team. Our motto is it’s a stellar place to live and a stellar place to work. I enjoy the many activities we hold for the residents and participate with joy! Seeing their smiles and hearing laughter is what makes my day better!

03/21/2024

What's My Why: Beth Williams, Vice President of Operations, Ascent Living Communities.
Who are you?
I've been happily married to my husband for three decades, and throughout our journey, we've successfully raised two incredible sons. As an only child, I embrace my Type A personality traits, balancing my career aspirations with quality time spent with loved ones. Staying active is crucial to me, with kickboxing as my top choice, complemented by running and hiking. I also consider it an honor to look after my cherished 100-year-old grandmother, Edith.
What do you do?
As the Vice President of Operations for Ascent Living Communities, I take great pride in serving our residents and their families. With over 550 residents and a team of 500+ exceptional associates, our communities thrive under our care. Guided by the Mission and Vision set forth by Tom & Susie Finley, our Founder & Principal, we are committed to providing elevated senior living and support to all those we serve. In my role, I am at the heart of ensuring the smooth operation of our communities. Supported by an incredible team of Directors in various fields, including Clinical, People and Culture, Controller, Analytics, Sales, and Social Media, we work together to maintain high care standards, adhere to regulations, and ensure our residents have the best possible experience. But it doesn't stop there. I am always on the lookout for talented individuals to join our team, as we strive to be recognized as the go-to place to work. Our employees are the backbone of our success, and we couldn't do what we do without them. I am passionate about mentoring our community leaders and fostering a vibrant and engaging environment for everyone involved. It may be a balancing act, but the happiness of our residents and their families makes it all worthwhile. This is what truly fills my cup.
How did you get into senior living?
I stumbled into the world of senior living quite unexpectedly. Starting off as a candy striper in high school, I never imagined that my path would lead me to where I am today. Transitioning from therapy aide to sales and marketing, and eventually becoming an Executive Director, my journey has been nothing short of transformative. Over the years, I have dedicated myself to serving and enhancing the lives of our elder community, and mentoring incredible associates along the way. This fulfilling experience has shaped me into the professional I am today.
What keeps you drawn to LTC?
Enriching the lives of others is my unwavering passion. Whether it's the residents we serve or the associates we employ, I am dedicated to making a positive impact. This commitment drives me every single day and fuels my passion for senior living. Witnessing the transformation and growth in both the residents and my own family, only strengthens my belief in the significance of our work.

02/23/2024

"What's My Why?": Lawrence Cowan, Hildebrand Care Center

Who Am I and What do I do?

My name is Lawrence Cowan, I began working in long term care in 1987 as a “temporary” job with a plan of no more than five years as a Nursing Assistant/C.N.A. while finishing H.S. and pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. As I completed my degree. I decided that long term care was the place to be! I perused my AIT program and obtained my Nursing Home Administrator’s license in 1993, in addition, I obtained my LPN license in 2009 to further assist my community with nursing duties as needed. I am currently serving as Administrator at Hildebrand Care Center in Canon City. I will soon celebrate my 37th year in skilled nursing.

What keeps me drawn to long term care?

My love of the elderly and the ability to make a difference from an administrative level and to bring a group of leaders together to make the best of the best in skilled nursing for the elder’s we serve. My motto and the personal belief I have carried forward my entire career “It’s Loving and Giving That Make Life Worth Living.”

What do you get from this work that I do not feel I could get anywhere else?

What I get from my role as a Nursing Home Administrator/Nurse is the fulfillment of a “warm heart” and the knowledge at the end of the day in some small way maybe I was able to put a smile on a resident’s face or hold the hand of an elder at the end of their life, knowing I did the best I could and maybe made some small difference. This career choice might not be for everyone, but it was for me!

12/14/2023