Edgewood Healthcare

Teachers make up many of our residents. What makes it special is how they bring the same patience and understanding they once used in the classroom into everyday life here. So, while they may not have a lesson plan anymore… they’re still shaping the room, building connections, and making people feel seen. Because they didn’t stop teaching. They just changed classrooms.

“Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” That set the tone at our last regional meeting, where Back to the Future became more than a theme. With a little adventure, excitement for what’s ahead, and plenty of limitless potential in the room, there was plenty of opportunity to collaborate, laugh, and enjoy a few theme-inspired moments along the way. The future is built by people willing to create it. And that’s exactly the kind of people we have on our teams! The future looks bright...

We invest in our people, empowering them to build fulfilling careers that support their lives and those they care about most. At our recent regional leadership meeting in Deadwood, what stood out wasn’t the agenda, but the energy in the room. Over two days, our focus remained exactly where it belongs: on people, performance, and the daily experiences we create together. Many of our leaders began their journeys in entry-level roles and have grown into more, thanks to ongoing support, trust, and development. That’s the true value of bringing our teams together to learn, share insights, and strengthen our collaborative spirit. This people-first approach is why Edgewood Healthcare attracts and retains such dedicated team members. As President Robert Ford often says, “When we take care of our people, everything else falls into place.”

Meet Wanda. A nurse. A storyteller. A reminder that the heart of healthcare doesn’t retire. Wanda spent 45 years at the bedside. Now, she’s on the other side of it. What started as a practical choice turned into a cross-country career full of one thing: people who mattered. This Nurses Appreciation Month, we’re celebrating the ones who never stopped being who they are.

Typical corporate meetings: where you expect agendas, action items, and someone asking if we can “circle back.” Ours? One minute we’re talking strategy… the next we’re in a heated game of Hot Potato fighting for glory and questionable bragging rights. Connection matters. Sometimes it happens in conference rooms. Sometimes it happens while dodging a flying potato. We work hard, we strategize hard, and when the moment calls for it... we play hard too.

"We need a place for Mom… and Medicaid needs to start NOW." If only it worked like that. Medicaid isn’t a sprint it’s a marathon with paperwork. But planning early? That’s the game‑changer. Our teams walk families through the process long before the crisis moment hits. Less chaos. More clarity. Better outcomes.

Our corporate marketing team took brainstorming on the road; all the way to Savannah! When a fully remote team (and very geographically scattered—seven locations to be exact) all finally get in the same place, something a little magical happens. Turns out, when you swap virtual conference rooms for cobblestone streets, creativity shows up faster. Between focused strategy sessions and spontaneous conversations, we proved that fresh surroundings really do lead to fresh thinking. It wasn't only about strategy decks and post-it ideas. It was about company culture, team connection, and creating room for inspiration. When you invest in your team the ideas tend to be bolder, more creative, and more aligned with where you want to go!

It’s pretty incredible to see growth show up like this in real time. Proud to be a company that actually walks the talk when it comes to development.

How are you highlighting the employees who go above and beyond? Each of our communities have a unique way of celebrating their employees. Each month, our Edgewood community in Meridian recognizes a team member who goes above and beyond, not just in performance, but in heart. The ones who steady the ship. Who lift others up. Who choose excellence even on the long days. But the best part? They don’t let that recognition end there. At the end of the year, they bring all of their Employee of the Month recipients together for a special night dedicated entirely to them. A night to celebrate them. To brag about them. To make sure they feel just how valued they are. No agendas. No metrics. Just gratitude. Because culture is more than perks or posters on a wall. It’s intentional appreciation. It’s the way our teams create moments that say, “we’re better because of you.” And when you celebrate your people well, they carry that energy back into the work that matters most. That’s the kind of culture we’re building.

Thinking “maybe next month”… again? Big decisions have a funny way of circling the calendar. Especially the ones about where and how you or your loved one calls home. Familiar feels safe. Change feels big. But falls, missed medications, and isolation do not wait for the “perfect” time. Sometimes the best thing you can do for tomorrow is think about it today! https://lnkd.in/gb-H5gXD