The new administrator of The Terrace Assisted Living, Allison Whiteman, is very familiar to Beth Sholom Village.
A gradute of Virginia Wesleyan College (now Virginia Wesleyan University), with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Whiteman knew she wanted to work with a senior population. And so, at BSV, she started her career as director of recreation.
As BSV’s director of recreation, she became immersed in the world of aging and she excelled. Whiteman says she “enjoyed figuring out ways to engage with residents no matter their ability.” With a philosophy that anyone and everyone should enjoy life in the best way possible, she was creative daily and clearly understood the needs of residents with cognitive impairment. It took patience and compassion. Fortunately, Whiteman possesses both. As director, she also managed recreation assistants and staff.
After 11 years in that position, Whiteman decided to expand her skills for her long-term goal of becoming an administrator. An opportunity arose at the Berger-Goldrich Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in 2016 as the social worker for the Gifford Rehab unit. In this position, Whiteman learned about the needs of short-term residents, the rules of reimbursment, and how to safely discharge a patient to home or an assisted living facility.
Four years later, another position within the BSV network presented itself. Freda H. Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care was seeking a marketing liaison. This position allowed Whiteman to understand hospice and palliative care and she saw the value of educating the public on transitioning from life and how to make it as comfortable as possible for the patient and family.
When the position of administrator of The Terrace Assisted Living became available, Whiteman says she knew that the past 15 years had prepared her for this moment. The administrator position is a huge responsibility, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. With her administrators license in hand, Whiteman says she is “excited to be a part of the solution in keeping residents safe.” Still, she notes that she is equally eager to ensure the residents have an outstanding quality of life and feel cared for.
Allison Whiteman may be reached at awhiteman@bethsholomvillage.com and 757-282-2384.