We're honored to announce and celebrate our outstanding Resident Programs Teams who go above and beyond every day for our residents in our communities. This year, we celebrated our teams with the board game theme, "Candyland!" Take a look at the difference our award-winners have made in the lives of our residents, their families, and their fellow associates below.
The Excellence in Social Media Award recognizes the Resident Programs team who knocked it out of the ballpark and went above and beyond in generating outstanding content for their community's social media page as well as Commonwealth Senior Living's main pages, now reaching millions of TikTok fans. Commonwealth Senior Living at Hillsville, led by Raven Lineberry, truly brought to life all we strive to do for our residents with touching stories, photos, and original posts. Team Hillsville had the highest performing post of 2024, the most original posts, and met their social media goals in 10 months of the year. Their Facebook posts reached 14,357 people and gained 213 new followers.
While the Excellence in Social Media award recognizes accomplishments across all social media platforms, we also celebrate the performance on TikTok. In 2024, Commonwealth Senior Living at Stratford House created 19 TikTok's, three of which gained over one million views. One resident, who is frequently featured in their videos, made national news after gaining around four million views on TikTok. This team has taken our Program of Fine Arts and given it a modern spin, with plenty of opportunities for our residents to perform for our growing audience on the platform.
The Team Evolution Award celebrates a team that supports, encourages, and takes ownership in the delivery of standards and quality of our Signature Programs and our Sweet Memories™ neighborhood. Throughout 2024, Commonwealth Senior Living at Charlottesville prioritized Resident Programs in all areas of the community, while each living by Commonwealth Senior Living's Core Values every day! Paula Harder, Vice President of Resident Programs and Memory Care says, "We know it takes many more hands and minds than just the Resident Program Director to ensure the quality delivery of our Signature Programs, standards, and Sweet Memories™ Program. When Resident Programs are truly embraced and supported, so many more doors are opened for creativity and consistency."
Our second Evolution Award celebrates a Resident Program Director who made great strides in their community throughout 2024. Kelsey Tucker of Commonwealth Senior Living at Willow Grove has only been with her community for a little over a year. Fellow associates frequently say, "She is so great," "She does an incredible job with what she has," and "You should see the difference in the residents since she started!"
The Rising Star Award celebrates an individual who has differentiated themselves and proven their leadership and creativity within the first two years in the Resident Program Director role. Lindsey Fussell of Commonwealth Senior Living at the Eastern Shore began her career at her community in 2022 and has been on an impressive upward trajectory ever since. She joined the team as an Activity Assistant and quickly started to shine. In 2023, she was promoted to Program Assistant, and in 2024, she became the Resident Program Director. Lindsay Drummond, Resident Programs Specialist, says, "She has made a lasting impression on our residents, families, and the entire team over the last three years. She brings positive energy and a fun spirit to the community while skillfully balancing her responsibilities as Resident Program Director, building strong relationships with her team, and leading the Sweet Memories™ neighborhood. She embodies our Core Values, sets ambitious goals, and achieves them with patience and grace. In recognition of her outstanding performance and commitment to going above and beyond she was recently invited to join the Peer Mentor Team."
Our Service Before Self Award recognizes an individual who not only performs with high standards in their Resident Program role but, who also goes above and beyond every day to give our residents and associates the best life possible. Each year, nominations are received from communities' Executive Directors and Regional Vice Presidents of Operations, with our Senior Leadership Team selecting the winner. Dale Smith, Resident Program Director of Commonwealth Senior Living at Stratford House, and Felicia Street, Resident Care Coordinator of Commonwealth Senior Living at Cedar Bluff were each nominated for this award. Dana Mayo, Resident Program Director at Commonwealth Senior Living at Leigh Hall was selected as our 2024 winner! Paula Harder says, "In my 39 years, I believe Dana to be second to none in the engagement of people with memory loss. He goes above and beyond for the community and takes coaching with grace. He reaches out to other associates when they are struggling to give them words of encouragement. Few men in senior living choose Resident Programs as a career path, and this gentleman is as good as they come at doing the right thing to make sure his residents are happy."
The Bernie Cavis "Shark in a Tree" Excellence in Memory Care Award goes to a community leader who took a simple concept and turned it into an ongoing creative and engaging event, not just for residents, but for fellow associates. Paula Harder describes this year's winner, Irene Voss of Commonwealth Senior Living at Grand Rapids, as a "shark in a tree" herself due to her determination and persistence to excel at the Resident Program Director role. Paula says, "There is no more important skill in Memory Care than to be able to listen and support while remaining a soft but strong shoulder to lean on."
The Resident Program Assistant of the Year Award celebrates an individual who works alongside the Resident Programs Director, watching, learning, and stepping up, when necessary, all while developing into a strong leader themselves. Brandi West of Commonwealth Senior Living at Front Royal was nominated by her Executive Director and Resident Program Director two years in a row. Her Resident Program Director, Susan Bell, says, "Brandi continues to impress me with her ability to step up and be not only my right hand, but also my left. She makes me a better leader. I am constantly encouraged when I hear her say, ‘It's okay, we'll figure it out.'" Her Executive Director, Renea Williams, adds, "There was a time when Brandi had to take charge and lead the department. Not only did she rise to the challenge, she exceeded it. She has a big heart and genuinely cares about our residents."
This year, we introduced a new award for an Assistant Resident Care Director who not only exemplifies outstanding leadership but also consistently steps up to support their community whenever needed. Chasity Rupe of Commonwealth Senior Living at Hillsville joined CSL in February 2016 and demonstrates outstanding commitment to the community's residents, their families, and fellow colleagues. Archie McAlexander, Regional Vice President of Resident Care says, "Chasity is someone who will humbly tell you her success is not hers alone but the shared success of her counterpart and other Resident Care associates."
The Resident Program Director of the Year embodies the complete package: exceptional leadership within their community, meaningful engagement with residents, creativity in Resident Program development, collaboration with other departments, and a demonstrated commitment through longevity in their role. Tina Bailey of Commonwealth Senior Living at King's Grant House has been with her community for eight years. Her Regional Vice President of Operations, Paula Taylor, says, "We have fantastic Resident Program Directors at CSL, but Tina is truly a remarkable and humble leader and meets the true definition of a servant leader." Paula Harder says, "Tina has not only led consistently to standard expectations in her Sweet Memories™ neighborhood, but she has trained other associates who have gone on to be successful in their own regard. When a new Signature Program is rolled out, she is almost always the first community to do it consistently and to standard. She has brought some of the most fun and award-winning Signature Programs to her community and teams, excelling at the Sweet Life and the Program of the Fine Arts to name a few."
Thank you to the entire Resident Programs and Resident Care teams for all you do each day to improve the lives of seniors, their families, and our associates. You are all winners!
If you're interested in improving the lives of seniors and their families alongside this award-winning team, explore our available positions today.