Watercrest Senior Living Group Announces Two Promotions and New Executive Director
July 5, 2019
VERO BEACH, FL–Watercrest Senior Living Group has announced the promotion of two team members, as well as a new executive director.
Watercrest celebrates the promotion of award-winning executive director Kristen Dalrick to the role of Regional Director of Operations. As Watercrest prepares to open a dozen new communities in the next few years, Dalrick’s expertise will significantly strengthen operational efficiency and growth in each of Watercrest’s communities.
Dalrick joined Watercrest in late 2018 as executive director of Market Street Memory Care Residence East Lake. In just six months under her leadership, the community doubled in occupancy, associate retention peaked at 95 percent, and team culture thrived as new leadership was promoted from within.
“Kristen radiates energy, excitement and enthusiasm, and naturally develops meaningful and genuine connections with those she serves,” said Whitney Lane, Watercrest Senior Vice President of Operations. “It is obvious how much she cares, and those unique qualities draw others to follow her as their leader. We are thrilled to see her utilizing her talents as a regional director in leading well-connected and high performing teams.”
In 2017, Dalrick was honored with Argentum’s ‘Best of the Best’ award for Executive Director of the Year, earning widespread industry recognition for her success as a collaborative mentor and leader.
“I have loved the spirit of family and teamwork from the moment I walked through the doors at Watercrest,” said Dalrick. “We focus all of our energy as a company on our two most important assets: people and our unique product. It is an honor and true pleasure to serve seniors, families and associates here at Watercrest.”
Watercrest also announced the promotion of Sheena Jeffries to the executive leadership team in a newly created role as Engagement Specialist, providing hands-on training and support for Watercrest’s specialized memory care programming.
Jeffries joined Watercrest Senior Living Group in 2016 as a community memory care director, forming close relationships with her residents and families while strongly implementing Watercrest’s Platinum Standards of care.
In her new role, Jeffries serves as a coach to Watercrest’s memory care and programming teams, providing hands-on support and training. Additionally, she acts as an implementation expert in Watercrest’s new programming initiatives: Illuminate® and Live Exhilarated®.
Illuminate®, Watercrest’s premier memory care program, centers on defining residents by their life story, not their cognitive changes, by creating a memory care setting where residents feel like family. The new program emphasizes many aspects of resident wellness, such as physical fitness, culinary, arts, spirituality, sensory touch, horticulture and floral design.
Having recently celebrated their 14thgroundbreaking in just over four years, Watercrest is poised to open a dozen new communities in the next few years, in which Jeffries’ support will be instrumental.
“Sheena has the heart of a coach and the creativity of a fine artist,” said Hollie Kemp, Chief Experience Officer for Watercrest Senior Living Group. “She is a passionate advocate, memory care champion, and an expert on active engagement and aging. We are thrilled to have her join our executive leadership team.”
Jeffries is a trained therapeutic recreation specialist focused on adaptive methods and technology to improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Under the guidance of a renowned NIH researcher, she led trial and analysis programs for Montessori Methods within dementia care. On the Dementia Excellence Committee, she acted as employee advisor and dementia educator for senior care communities and was featured in the 2010 Future Age Magazine for her “Learn and Create” fine arts program for individuals with memory impairment.
“I am so fortunate to work with a team full of brilliant minds and caring hearts. I hope to serve in a way that inspires excellence, curiosity, attention to detail and innovation that set extraordinary standards of care,” said Jeffries. “I have a passion for building lifestyles and creating opportunities focused on our resident’s abilities rather than their limitations; my greatest hope is to make that passion infectious.”
Watercrest also announced Dawn Osterweil as Executive Director of Watercrest Naples Assisted Living and Memory Care in Naples, FL, a 128-unit luxury senior living community currently under construction and scheduled to welcome residents in Fall 2019.
Osterweil brings over 20 years of diverse senior living experience, having served several of the nation’s leading healthcare providers throughout her career. With the majority of her tenure as a respected executive director, Osterweil also enjoyed success as a senior executive director, nursing home administrator, mentor and training specialist, and operations manager.
“Dawn naturally leads and engages her teammates as a mentor and partner,” said Whitney Lane, Watercrest Senior Vice President of Operations. “We are thankful to have her leading our premier Watercrest Naples community. Her passion is evident in her relationships with seniors and family members as she ensures excellent customer service in each unique interaction.”
Watercrest Naples will be a signature Watercrest product, offering 96 assisted living and 32 memory care apartments with premium accommodations, resort-style amenities, and world-class care. Residents will enjoy pampering in elegant Spa W, savor private label Watercrest wines at the bistro, and relish the flavors of locally grown, seasonal ingredients and organic fare whether dining outdoors, bistro-style, or in the chef’s private dining room.
The exceptional architecture and design will boast a stunning promenade, fireplace, signature water wall, multiple dining options, pool, salon and spa, grand balconies, and Florida-style outdoor living spaces in a peaceful setting. Watercrest’s uniquely designed Market Street Plaza will showcase an ‘outdoor’ streetscape with numerous LifeBUILT programming touches; a highlight and crucial element of their multi-sensory memory care programming.
“I am honored and blessed to be part of the Watercrest family and work with the best and brightest professionals in the business,” said Osterweil. “It means the world to me to bring the Watercrest brand to the Naples market and ‘to welcome, care and serve’ seniors in the community in which I live.”
Watercrest Naples is ideally located at 9015 Bellaire Bay Drive in Naples and currently under construction by Walker and Company. It is a development project partnered between Watercrest and United Properties. The partnership also includes the development of Watercrest Sarasota Senior Living Community, currently under construction and scheduled to open in Summer 2020.
Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities and world-class care, and their innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer’s and dementia
A certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest Senior Living Group specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders.