A Director With A Dream

Patricia Heiden, Executive Director, of Oaknoll Retirement Residence has the compassion and vision it takes to make Oaknoll successful.  Oaknoll has been in the Iowa City community for over forty years and Patricia has proudly served for over 30 of those years as a faithful employee who has worked her way up the ranks.  She started out as a part-time employee in the business office, was eventually promoted to Business Manager then to Assistant Administrator and became Executive Director of Oaknoll in 1995.

“Having a director who has worked for our not-for-profit continuing care retirement community for over 30 years speaks volumes.  She knows what she is doing and does it very well.  She is intelligent, compassionate and can truly attest that Oaknoll is the place to live if you want to receive the best care in your later years.  Patricia is dedicated to our residents and staff.  As our spokesperson she genuinely represents the essence of Oaknoll and the quality services we offer,” said Kimberly Haring, Marketing Director.

As Executive Director, Patricia has proven herself an exceptional leader.  Not surprisingly, if one were to ask her why she has been so successful in her leadership role, without hesitation she will say that first and foremost she has surrounded herself with exceptional people who are leaders themselves.  The success is attributed to Heiden letting her leadership team do what they do best.  Reluctant to take all of the credit for the success of the Oaknoll Community she stressed that it is this team and all the dedicated staff and residents who make Oaknoll such an appealing community. 

Those leaders include: 

               Steve Roe, Administrator/CFO
                Bill Mishler, Director of Buildings and Grounds
                Diane Ely, Human Resource Director
                Kimberly Bergen-Jackson, PhDc, MSN, RN, Director of Health Services
                Sheila McBride, RN, Assistant Director of Nursing
                Kimberly Webster, RN, MDS/Care Plan Coordinator
                Kimberly Haring, Marketing Director
                Lisa Chapman, Business Manager
                David Anson, Recreation Director
                Lindsey Payton, CTRS, Assistant Recreation Director
                Ray Carley and Chris Perdue, Assistant Directors of Buildings and Grounds
                Sylvia Venuto, Director of Dining Services
                Antonio Rivera, Assistant Director of Dining Services
                Robert Church, Chef
                Natalie Cornwell, RN, Assisted Living Coordinator
                Lisa Tatge, LMSW, Social Worker
                Ann Drobot, BSW
                Shirley Cox, RN, and Nancy Swartzendruber, RN, Apartment Nurses
                Laura O’Conner, Wellness Coordinator
                Jerry Jepson, Director of Housekeeping and Laundry Services
                Steve Cuppy, Director of Transportation
                Retha Haas, Administrative Professional

In her tenure Heiden has overseen the expansion and renovation of Oaknoll in a series of major projects, including:

• The Benton Street East addition in 1998 (14 independent living units)
  
  
• Creating and renovating the Assisted Living Wing in 2000 (certified for 21 units)
  
  
• The Benton Court addition including the construction of a new health center, licensed for skilled and intermediate nursing care, as well as the renovation of an existing wing which was built in 1990. Nine independent living apartment units were also a part of the Benton Court addition which was completed in 2004
  
  
• The George Sreet addition

Ms. Heiden’s vision became reality with the opening of the George Street addition in November 2006, “shortly after becoming Executive Director, the Oaknoll Board of Directors and administration engaged in a strategic planning process.  That plan in 1996 included the George Street project,” she said.  This $25 million expansion added 51 spacious apartments, beautiful common areas a warm water-lap pool, hot tub, hair salon and spa, physical therapy, library, internet café with patio seating, movie theatre and a full service restaurant.  These along with the existing features: a 48 bed health center, assisted living wing, lounges, a coffee shop, sewing room, computer room and many activities and programs make Oaknoll a very active retirement community.

“While all this building and expanding is taking place our waiting list continues to grow reinforcing the need for these services in the Iowa City/Coralville community.  I feel privileged to work with the Oaknoll Board of Directors and to learn from the wisdom of our current residents.  We will stay ready to serve the up and coming retirees who wish to enjoy all the benefits of living their leisure years in an active and contemporary retirement community with the assurance of LifeCare,” beams Heiden with a confident smile.

Pat is a licensed nursing home administrator and holds a Masters degree in health services administration.  Pat has been recognized with various honors and awards and has served on numerous boards and in community organizations in many leadership roles.  Pat has two daughters, Ariel, currently in college, and Lindsey, a college graduate currently working in the banking industry. 

Board Activities:  Board Name	Years	For Profit/     Non Profit
Iowa Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Board of Directors    Board Secretary    Membership Committee, Chair    Continuing Care Retirement Community    Network Group Chair Rotary Club of Iowa City (noon)    Board member Hospice of Iowa City    Board of Directors, Vice Chair    Strategic Planning, Chair US Bank, Advisory Board Member St. Mary’s Catholic Church    Family Life Commission    Evangelism Stewardship . Altrusa    Vice President (President Elect)    President Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce    Membership Services, Council Chair    Board of Directors:    Secretary                           Vice Chair                          Chair Rebuild Iowa Task Force Commission   Appointed by Governor Culver to serve as   Member, Public Health and Health   Care Task Force	2002-2008 2005-2007 2004-2008 2008-present since 1996 2005-2008     2003-2007 2005-2006 2004-2007 since 2003       2002-present  2005-2006 since 1995 2005-2006 2006-2007 2008 2009 2010 2011   2008	non-profit   non-profit non-profit for profit non-profit   non-profit public sector    public sector

 

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