The Utah Health Care Association (UHCA) is pleased to announce that Allison Spangler, MBA, LNHA, has been named president and chief executive officer (CEO). She will be replacing long-time director Dirk Anjewierden who has retired.

Bryan Erickson, board chair of UHCA, said the association is delighted to have Spangler as the new president and CEO. “I have watched Allison work with state and national leaders in propelling the needs of the Utah Health Care Association forward,” he said. “She will continue in her new role to lead our industry in the challenging times we face.”

Spangler commented, “I love UHCA and its members, and I am excited to continue the effort of our 2021 strategic objectives to educate, support, and strengthen our members and their residents, especially as we work our way out of this COVID-19 crisis and the difficult challenges it has caused to the long term care industry.”

Victory Centre of Bartlett, Bartlett, Ill., an independent and supportive living community owned and operated by Chicago-based Pathway to Living, has welcomed Jorie Langlois as its new lifestyle specialist.

Langlois brings 20 years of professional health care experience to her new sales role, having held key positions in physician relations, patient relations, admissions, and sales and marketing for organizations such as AMITA Health System, Symphony Care Network, and HCR ManorCare.

“Older adults and families will benefit from Jorie’s compassionate approach and guidance thanks to her extensive experience,” said Victory Centre of Bartlett’s Executive Director Vicki Striegel.
 
Cypress Assisted Living and Memory Care, an Integral Senior Living (ISL) Community, has named Katie Nutt director of sales and marketing. She brings five years of health care marketing experience to the Spring Cypress team.

Nutt’s responsibilities include helping residents and their families coordinate all aspects of the move-in process, developing annual marketing plans, and organizing marketing visits to the community for prospective residents. She is dedicated to making tangible differences in the lives of seniors and their families.

“Katie has a clear passion for guiding seniors on the journey into the next chapter of their lives, as well as excellent knowledge of the industry,” said Heather Haley, regional director of sales and marketing at ISL.

Gene Chastain, senior director of information technology for Life Care Centers of America, Cleveland, Tenn., has been promoted to vice president of information technology and cybersecurity.

In this role, Chastain will work closely with the chief information officer, Terry Leonard, to ensure Life Care has the most effective implementation of cloud services, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. He will have technical oversight responsibility for all technology projects, infrastructure, and cybersecurity.

“Gene has been an outstanding member of Life Care Information Technology for almost 20 years. I am very proud of Gene and anticipate he will continue providing critical leadership for Life Care,” said Leonard.

La Marea Senior Living, Carlsbad, Calif., an ISL community specializing in assisted living and memory care services, has hired six professionals to round out its senior leadership team.

Anthony Bawalan, LVN, will serve as resident care director, Solana Sloat as Vibrant Life^® director, Natasha Avedisian as culinary service director, Sebastian Diaz as building services director, and Sylvia Spears as business office director.

Bawalan has worked in a variety of roles, including caregiver and medical technician, in his career, which has spanned more than 16 years. As resident care director, he will be responsible for creating a loving and supporting community for residents at La Marea.

Sloat, a seasoned caregiver with years of experience, will be responsible for creating events and initiatives to improve resident life. Before taking on this role, Sloat worked as an activities assistant, resident service coordinator, and memory care manager at several senior living facilities.

Avedisian comes to La Marea with 15 years of experience in restaurants, catering companies, and cruise lines. She will now be in charge of La Marea’s Elevate^® dining program.

Prior to joining La Marea, Diaz spent 11 years in the senior care industry. He began as a janitor and quickly earned his way to a director position before following his passion for senior care to La Marea.

Spears has more than two decades of experience in senior care, including as an executive director, and knows that her favorite part of the business is supporting associates to create a warm and supportive community atmosphere from the ground up.