Grand Traverse Pavilions

03/20/2026

Happy Healthcare Human Resources Week!

03/19/2026

We’re just 8 weeks away from our golf outing fundraiser, Scramble Fore Seniors! ⛳ There are still limited team slots and hole sponsorships available. Don’t miss out – register today: https://www.gtpavilions.org/golf/registration-scramble-fore-seniors/

Grand Traverse Pavilions annual golf outing, Scramble Fore Seniors, is only a few months away! A fundraiser that brings an exciting and fun opportunity to make a positive impact in your community. Grand Traverse Pavilions ‘Scramble Fore Seniors’ coincides with Older Americans Month to encourage and recognize the countless contributions that older adults make to our communities.

Enjoy a day on the course with friends, business partners, colleagues and more! Lunch will be provided after the round during winner and silent auction announcements.

All funds raised will be committed to support the Quality of Life initiatives for the Pavilions' Residents. We invite you to support this new event in form of a sponsorship, donation or participation to support the elders in our community.
Please share with family and friends, and we hope to see you at the The Crown Golf Club on May 15th!

To register or explore sponsorship opportunities click the link below:
https://www.gtpavilions.org/golf/ or email crwagatha@gtpavilions.org

03/18/2026

❄️ Wellness Center Wednesday at Grand Traverse Pavilions! ❄️

This Wellness Center Wednesday, we're sharing some important tips to help our community stay safe and healthy while tackling snow removal from the blizzard of 2026.

Shoveling Snow Safely:
1. Warm Up First: Just like any exercise, start with a 5-10 minute warm-up. Light stretching and gentle movements will prepare your muscles.
2. Push, Don't Lift: Whenever possible, push the snow rather than lifting it. If you must lift, use your legs, not your back. Bend your knees, keep your back straight, and scoop small amounts.
3. Take Frequent Breaks: Don't try to do it all at once. Take breaks, go inside for a warm drink, and rest your muscles.
4. Stay Hydrated: Even in cold weather, you can become dehydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after shoveling.
5. Listen to Your Body: If you feel any pain, dizziness, or chest discomfort, stop immediately and seek assistance.

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Grand Traverse Pavilions! 🍀

03/16/2026

Attention friends and followers, please consider nominating Grand Traverse Pavilions as Simply The Best Senior Living Community and Simply The Best Wellness Center, under the Health, Beauty, and Wellness category (link below).

Nominations can be made once daily until midnight on May 8th. The top 3 nominees in each category will move on to the final voting from May 11th through July 31st.
Why nominate Grand Traverse Pavilions?

- Grand Traverse Pavilions is the only community owned/non-profit skilled nursing home in the county
-Our Mission and Vision emulates a commitment to caring and advocating for elders in our community
- The Wellness Center is an authorized provider for outpatient therapy services that features a complement of rehabilitative therapies along with health and fitness programs. Included among the therapeutic services are physical, occupational, speech, and aquatic therapies.

https://www.record-eagle.com/simplythebest/?fbclid=IwdGRleAQlcbRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEemSSuJcu0feiU3YC3NDM3fVqnErGm9yeGFUv5piKLFS6lKJqOQI5F6n0sOog_aem_7fwBkBH9k5aOQ7Lq5k0dYA #/gallery/?group=501015

Snow along with gusty winds at times. Significant blowing and drifting snow. High 22F. Winds NNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches..

03/13/2026

Grand Traverse Pavilions is hiring RNs for our night shift!

✅ Competitive Benefits
✅ Excellent Retirement Plan
✅ Amazing Residents & Team

Join a staple of the Traverse City community. Apply now!

https://gtpavilions.easyapply.co

03/12/2026

Now that the heatwave has passed, our Cottage residents thought it was the perfect time for a Chili Cook-Off! 🌶️ Residents and staff enjoyed tasting some delicious homemade chili and sharing a little friendly competition!

03/11/2026

Wellness Center Wednesday

Today we are focusing on a powerful opportunity for our community members living with Parkinson’s disease, their care partners, and local healthcare professionals.

We are proud to highlight the upcoming "Hope In Every Step" Symposium, presented by our friends at the Michigan Parkinson Foundation. This educational event is designed to provide actionable insights and a sense of hope for those navigating the Parkinson’s journey.

🎤 Featuring Our Very Own!

We are especially excited to share that wellness center speech therapist, Jessica Newberry, MA, CCC-SLP, will be a featured presenter at the symposium! She will be leading an Interactive Speech demonstration, showing firsthand how specialized therapy can support communication and quality of life.

🗓️ Event Details at a Glance:
• When: Tuesday, April 7
• Where: The Park Place Hotel, 300 E. State St. Traverse City, MI
• Keynote: Dr. Ray Dorsey, movement disorder specialist and coauthor of The Parkinson's Plan.
• Activities: Expert Q&A panels and interactive exercise demonstrations including boxing, dual-tasking, and PWR! Moves.
• Professional Credit: Healthcare professionals are eligible to receive five CEs.

🎟️ How to Join:
• General Registration: $35
• Healthcare Professionals: $75 (includes CEs)
• Deadline: Be sure to register by March 22!
Register online here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/symposia2026/event/traversecity/

03/10/2026

Social Work Month Spotlight: Courtney, LBSW

During Social Work Month, we’re proud to recognize the compassionate professionals who support our residents and families every day. Meet Courtney, one of our dedicated Social Workers at GTP who works closely with residents and families on Aspen.

Courtney earned her Bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University and is a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker with a minor in Human Behavior. After graduating in 2018, she spent over seven years working in Community Mental Health in the Upper Peninsula and Traverse City as a Mental Illness Case Manager and Crisis Worker. In that role, she conducted assessments, helped de-escalate crises, supported treatment planning, coordinated care, and connected individuals with important community resources.

Helping others has always been a passion for Courtney. Even in high school, she spent time fundraising for charities and communities in need. Today, her favorite part of working at GTP is building meaningful connections with residents and helping families navigate whatever they may need.

Outside of work, Courtney enjoys reading, collecting books, and trying new things. She is also excited to be getting married this November in Hawaii. 🌺

We’re grateful to have Courtney on our team and appreciate the compassion and support she brings to our residents and families every day!

03/09/2026

Grand Traverse Pavilions Welcomes New Executive Director of Development and Community Engagement

Jaime Griffis brings two decades of advancement and executive communications experience within public higher education. She currently leads strategic communications for Innovation & Online at Central Michigan University, aligning brand strategy, digital engagement, and targeted outreach with institutional priorities.

During her tenure in annual giving leadership, she drove measurable revenue growth, strengthened donor segmentation strategies, and contributed to record fundraising performance. Jaime also brings experience in board engagement and grant writing.

She is recognized for her data-informed strategy, collaborative leadership, and commitment to advancing long-term organizational sustainability.

Jaime and her husband, Marc, reside in Petoskey. Their children are grown and live in Traverse City and Cadillac, and she enjoys spending time with them while staying connected to communities across northern Michigan.

Jaime’s first day will be March 16. She will report to CEO Darrell Lavender and work closely with Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation Board President Deb Jackson.

03/06/2026

Join us Wednesday, April 1st from 10AM-2:30PM at the Grand Traverse Pavilions for the community blood drive!

Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome.

To schedule your appointment call 1-866-642-5663 or visit www.VERSITI.org/MI

03/04/2026

🌙 Wellness Center Wednesday: Spring Forward Without the Slump!

This weekend, we "Spring Forward" for Daylight Saving Time.

While we gain more evening sunlight, losing that hour of sleep can throw your internal rhythm for a loop. Don’t let the clock steal your energy! 🕒

At the Grand Traverse Pavilions Wellness Center, we want to help you transition smoothly. Prioritizing your sleep hygiene now will help you stay active and alert all next week!

💤 Tips for a Seamless Transition:
•Ease into it: Start going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night leading up to Sunday.
•Chase the morning light: Get some sunlight first thing Sunday morning to help reset your internal clock.
•Keep a routine: Stick to your regular exercise schedule - physical activity helps improve sleep quality.
•Power down: Dim the lights and put away the screens an hour before sleep to let your brain know it’s time to wind down. Also, try to avoid afternoon caffeine and naps so that you are ready for sleep.

How are you preparing for the time jump? Share your favorite sleep tip below! 👇