This month Shannondale's Dietary Department is happy to introduce our new Executive Chef, Carl Fortin. Carl was born and raised in New Jersey. At 18 years old, Carl won the National Recipe Contest, beating out all other American high school seniors, and was awarded a four-year scholarship to the Johnson and Wales Culinary School in Rhode Island. After College, Carl worked at various private country clubs in New Jersey and eventually opened his own restaurant.
Carl is not only a highly decorated chef, he served overseas in Afghanistan from 2009 – 2013 working with the Army and Marine Corps to feed US and Coalition soldiers stationed there. Upon returning home, Carl relocated to Houston, Texas, where he held multiple leadership positions in some of the most prestigious private country clubs and corporate dining locations. Most recently, Carl served as a Chef at a local high-end resort before accepting the position of Executive Chef at Shannondale. Carl currently resides in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains with his wife and two kids.
March 11th-15th marked National Nursing Home Administrators Day, a time to recognize and appreciate the vital role these professionals play in the lives of our nation's seniors. Nursing Home Administrators (NHAs) are instrumental in ensuring that nursing homes meet regulatory standards, while also fostering a supportive environment for residents, their families, and the staff.
NHAs are responsible for overseeing all aspects of nursing home operations, from staff management to budgeting and facility maintenance. They work tirelessly to create a safe, comfortable, and enriching environment where seniors can thrive.
One of the most significant contributions of NHAs is their ability to build and nurture relationships with residents and their families. They understand the importance of communication, empathy, and trust in providing the highest quality of care. By forging strong bonds with those under their care, NHAs help create a sense of community and belonging within the nursing home.
On this special occasion, we would like to express our gratitude for the dedication and hard work of our NHA, Ben Stiefel. In just four months with us at Shannondale of Maryville, Ben has already made a significant impact, bringing both new visions and joy to our community.
Ben’s own words on why he loves being a Nursing Home Administrator.
“I enjoy the opportunity to work with an amazing group of managers and associates for the common goal of serving our residents and each other and to do so with excellence. It is a pleasure to work with a fantastic team, ensuring that we have strong systems and processes to ensure the provision of safe and quality services. In addition to that, whether it be coordinating a resident talent show, hosting a trivia night, having dinner with a resident or simply sitting down for a meaningful conversation, each day presents an opportunity for new and lasting memories.”
Thank you for all that you do, Ben!
As the flowers bloom and the days grow longer, Shannondale is buzzing with exciting activities to celebrate the arrival of spring. Our campuses are filled with events designed to engage, entertain, and connect our residents.
On St. Patrick's Day, our Knoxville campus hosted a lively group of fiddle players from Bravura Music Academy. These young, talented musicians filled the halls with the joyous sounds of Irish folk music, creating a festive atmosphere for all to enjoy. Residents joined in the fun by singing along, tapping their toes, and relaxing while enjoying the delightful melodies. Following the musical show, residents had the opportunity to unleash their creativity with special St. Patrick's Day themed crafts. Led by the talented musicians, the residents explored new techniques, worked with different materials, and created beautiful St. Patrick's Day keepsakes.
We're thrilled to announce the expansion of our SAIL program to include both our Knoxville and Maryville campuses! Congratulations to Logan Soto and Diana Vita who worked hard to earn their SAIL Certifications. This means even more residents will have the opportunity to participate in stimulating classes designed to build strength, balance, flexibility, and cardio fitness. Our team of new SAIL instructors, full of enthusiasm, will be leading engaging classes across both locations.
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Great news for our tech-savvy residents on the Knoxville campus! We're excited to share that we are expanding our tech support service, available for both Apple and Android users. Whether you need help with your phone, tablet, or any other electronic device, our friendly tech support staff will be happy to assist you.
Don't forget to mark your calendars! This weekend, we'll be joining the fight against Alzheimer's by participating in the Alzheimer's walk. Residents and families are encouraged to take part in this meaningful event, where we'll raise awareness and funds for this important cause.
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To show our support and enthusiasm for the upcoming walk, we participated in the State-Wide Sock Out Alzheimer's Day. Lacey, the mascot for Alzheimer's Tennessee, is always eager and ready to demonstrate her support for this vital cause.
With fiddles, crafts, new instructors, and our upcoming walk, Shannondale is springing into action this season! We're committed to providing our residents with a vibrant and enriching environment, and we can't wait to celebrate the beauty of spring together.
Residents and team members of Shannondale of Maryville, “Shannondale Striders”, have been working together to support the Alzheimers of TN, Foothills Walk To Make Alzheimer's a Memory initiative on April 6th, 2024. In recent months, a dedicated team of individuals has spearheaded various fundraising activities, including a silent auction and soliciting donations from the community. Additionally, preparations are underway for a community yard sale to further bolster their fundraising efforts.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, including a significant $2,000 contribution from Shannondale to be a Major Sponsor, the team has successfully raised a total of $7,094. This impressive achievement highlights the commitment and passion of the Shannondale community towards combating Alzheimer's disease.
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At Shannondale of Maryville, we understand the importance of making Alzheimer's a memory. Our ongoing efforts to raise awareness and funds for this cause reflect our dedication to supporting those affected by Alzheimer's and advancing research toward finding a cure.
Through collective action and continued support, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. Together, we can work towards a future where Alzheimer's is a thing of the past.
The GEM Award winner for March for the Knoxville Campus is Pearl Page. Pearl is a CNA at WellPark and has been with Shannondale for 11 years. Some of the wonderful comments we received about Pearl are as follows:
“Pearl always goes above and beyond her job duties to help the Guest and her fellow employees! She is constantly thanked and appreciated by everyone at the WellPark. Pearl deserves to be acknowledged by the Shannondale Management Team! Thank you!”
“Pearl Page is an excellent CNA and should be recognized!”
“I nominate Pearl Page for the GEM award for Wellpark. Since I arrived Pearl has been a bright spot in my day. She daily exceeds any previous expectation I had of a caregiver. The quality of her work is only exceeded by her ultra positive attitude. I truly feel blessed to be at Wellpark with Pearl as a member of my care group.”
The GEM Award winner for March for the Maryville Campus is Joy McCormick. Joy has been a LPN with Shannondale Independent Living for over 9 years. We received the following compliments about Joy:
“I nominate nurse Joy McCormick for all the starred points in this program.”
“Always pleasant, positive and willing to help. Definitely goes the extra mile.”
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Discover vibrant assisted living at Shannondale in Knoxville & Maryville, TN. Personalized care, engaging activities, & a supportive community await.
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Prepare for senior living with Shannondale's tailored communities and continuum care plan. Start planning today for a worry-free tomorrow.
