Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Denise Riley Okun became the Executive Director of Goddard House Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica Plain a year and a half ago, in what has proven to be a period of outstanding achievements: a five star rating from the CMS (the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services), a deficiency-free survey from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and a top 10% score in a My InnerView employee satisfaction survey. Denise credits the skilled nursing center’s success to several key areas:

1. An unique staff model where, unlike other skilled nursing centers, Goddard House staff are assigned to specific units. Having the same unit assignments creates consistency and insures that staff bond with residents and each other.

2. Director of Nurses, Jim Sugrue, has built a strong nursing management team that focuses on leadership and mentoring, allowing nursing staff to take on progressively more involved roles.

3. Long time staff member, Ron Anglo, RN, now holds an expanded role as Quality Improvement Director, working a variety of shifts, including weekends and evenings, to reach out to all employees.

4. An open- door management policy, spearheaded by Ms. Riley Okun, includes ongoing employee appreciation based on respect and understanding. This practice is expected for all members of the management team.

“We appreciate our employees at all times, not just during preordained employee appreciation events or scheduled programs. We care for the caregivers, which enables us to achieve a high level of care for our residents and creates an environment of mutual support.

Over the past year, the center has made a priority of identifying the unique needs of our residents, resulting in special programs such as the Latino resident council for Spanish speakers, as well as the residents’ Get Out to Vote program.”

Although Goddard House in Jamaica Plain is still basking in the afterglow of such an outstanding year, Ms. Riley Okun is quick to point out the challenges that lie ahead in 2010.

“Our biggest challenge will be continuing to provide the excellence that we have come to be known for in the face of certain budget constraints. As we have come to care for people with more complex medical and rehabilitation needs, we will be increasingly challenged to maintain these high standards in uncertain economic times, but with the support of the Board, we will succeed.”

Nancy Shapiro - “Excellence doesn’t just happen. Our field requires constant evaluation, planning, and change. I was reminded of this earlier in the fall when our staff and residents worked together with a high level of energy, enthusiasm, and organization to host an open house for the outside community. It feels great and there’s an incomparable sense of pride to know that we can open our doors anytime and people will be greeted with not only a beautiful residence, but also a warm, welcoming, homelike atmosphere and great programs. This is at the heart of our Recipe for Living at Goddard House in Brookline Assisted Living.

It makes a world of difference for us all – residents, families, and staff – to be able to count on a high standard of care and communication at our nearby Goddard House Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center when someone needs additional care.

In 2009 Goddard House in Brookline received the Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award. In addition, we were also awarded the Brookline Tab Readers Choice for #1 Retirement Living Residence. These accomplishments are the result of continuous support by our Board of Trustees, especially during recent downturns in the financial markets, to insure that a compromise in quality care and services at Goddard House is not an option. Our goal has been to continue to build on our longstanding reputation as a nonprofit leader in the field of elder care with a strong foundation and history. We seek to fully embody the qualities we take pride in by offering compassionate care combined with skill, professionalism, excellent communication, and attention to individual needs in both our traditional assisted living and Olmsted memory impairment programs. Ours is an interdisciplinary profession – every individual working at Goddard House is called upon and expected to achieve these standards on the job. We’re proud of the excellence we’ve achieved. Please come in and visit.”