Dara Carroll was recently named director of Cleveland, Tenn.-based Life Care Centers of America’s public relations department.

Formerly the senior publications specialist for the public relations department, Carroll now leads a team of professionals who are key in effectively disseminating the communication efforts of the corporate office and Life Care facilities nationwide.

In addition to contributing to the company’s fundraising and digital media efforts, she will oversee the production of corporate and facility marketing collateral, two magazines, and direct mail recruitment. She will also play a key role in media and community relations.

Before joining Life Care as its coordinator of publications in 2007, Carroll was the editor for Church of God World Missions. Prior to that, she spent several years in higher education. She was the director of student services for Belhaven University in Memphis and then returned to Cleveland to serve in the admissions office and then as director of special academic projects at Lee University, where she also taught freshmen orientation and communication classes, including public speaking and media writing. She is a published author and has been a presenter at various events and conferences.

“I am equally honored and excited for the opportunity to lead our public relations team,” said Carroll. “I am grateful to work alongside so many amazing professionals here at the corporate offices, and I look forward to the expanded opportunities this new role will give me to serve our local community and Life Care’s wonderful residents and associates around the country.”
 
The Ridge Senior Living, a privately owned company with three senior living communities located in Colorado and Utah, welcomes two new members to its leadership team. Marti DiTaranto has joined the corporate team as the new vice president of sales and marketing. In her new position, DiTaranto will work with The Ridge Communities as a primary sales resource to generate move-ins and new leads and ensure that the sales and marketing process is fully executed. She has worked in the senior living industry for more than a decade at both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Her expertise in sales management spans all service levels, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.

The Ridge Pinehurst, a new Lakewood area community, has named Katrissa Gates executive director. With close to four decades of health care experience, Gates will oversee the day-to-day operations at the 18-acre campus that is home to more than 300 residents. She is a licensed registered nurse in multiple states; has her Colorado nursing home administrator license, assisted living certification, and dementia care certification; and is a resident assessment coordinator - certified.

Christian Living Communities (CLC) welcomes Erick Gomer, MD, as its new medical director.

As medical director, Gomer will collaborate with the CLC clinical team to develop, implement, and evaluate policies and procedures to ensure the successful delivery of superior quality health care to residents and rehabilitation guests.

As a collaborating physician with Redwood Health Partners, he brings his expertise and experience in person-centered care to the senior living environment to improve resident health and health outcomes. He will play a vital role in the Perennial Advantage partnership and is also a member of the infection prevention and control program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A dedicated primary care physician, board-certified in family practice medicine, Gomer has served as a primary care and urgent care provider, working with patients from a variety of backgrounds, including rural New Zealanders and the Diné of the Navajo Nation, and he has received the Doctor-Patient relationship award from the University of Colorado.

Knoxville, Tennessee-based senior living brand, Dominion Senior Living, has brought on a long-tenured senior living figure to its corporate leadership board. Rick Kral joins the company as vice president of wellness.

Kral comes to Dominion Senior Living with more than 10 years of experience in senior living. Previously, he has led wellness divisions in vice president and regional roles such as divisional vice president of care services with Enlivant, vice president of clinical services and director of risk for Vanguard Healthcare, and regional director of clinical services with Life Care Centers of America.

Kral will go on to support strategic wellness initiatives, develop and oversee the planning, direction, and implementation of all wellness programing, policies, and procedures and ensure the efficient and effective administration and execution of all community wellness goals.

He has a passion for seniors and has developed tools based on evidenced-based research that provides an understanding of disease-specific care pathways to enhance care staff skill sets along with innovative customer service programs. He is looking forward to sharing these tools with the team.

Integral Senior Living (ISL), a premier senior living management company, has named Tim Kidder as the new regional director of sales and marketing.

Kidder joins ISL with nearly 20 years of experience working in marketing and sales positions, spending many of those years in the senior living and health industry. In his most recent position as a vice president of marketing and communications for Holiday Retirement, Kidder was responsible for customer acquisition, developing sales materials and lead generation at 261 senior living communities in 43 states.

In his new position, Kidder will oversee the sales and marketing efforts for several of ISL’s communities, which include independent and assisted living and memory care.

“I am looking forward to working with a group of people who have such a passion for helping seniors live their best lives,” Kidder said. “I know my goal to provide world-class service aligns with ISL’s mission, and I am grateful for this amazing opportunity.”