This past year was filled with many highlights. Here is a recap of ten of them.
Best in the Nation
Gardant-managed assisted living and memory care communities were recognized by U.S. News and World Report as being among the best in the United States. The designation is only awarded to communities that had the highest possible ratings on consumer satisfaction surveys from residents and families of residents.
The communities were Heritage Woods of Centralia, Heritage Woods of Flora, Heritage Woods of Huntley, Heritage Woods of McHenry, Heritage Woods of Moline, Heritage Woods of Ottawa, Heritage Woods of Sterling, John Evans of Pekin, White Oaks of Huntley and White Oaks of McHenry in Illinois; Cedar Grove in West Virginia; Evergreen Village of Bloomington in Indiana; and Gull Creek in Maryland.
Great Place to Work
The Great Place to Work Institute and its senior care partner Activated Insights honored the assisted living and memory care communities managed by Gardant as great places to work.
2023 Communities of the Year
Two Gardant-managed communities were honored as 2023 Communities of the Year. Heritage Woods of Ottawa was recognized as the community of the year for communities with 80 or more apartments and Heritage Woods of Flora for communities with less than 80 apartments.
Bardwell Opens Its Doors
Bardwell Residences opened its doors on the campus of the refurbished former Copley Hospital in Aurora, Illinois. The community features senior living, assisted living, and memory care.
Excellence Award Recipients
Four staff members at Gardant-managed communities were honored with 2023 Excellence Awards by the Illinois Health Care Association. They were Mike Stickler of Grand Prairie of Macomb as Food Service/Dietary Professional of the Year; Sarah Roland Luchesi of Heritage Woods of South Elgin as Business Office Professional of the Year; Jennifer Rood of Heritage Woods of Freeport as Director of Nursing of the Year; and Rosemarie Rodrigo,of Heritage Woods of South Elgin as C.N.A. of the Year.
Gardant Chairman Named Senior Housing Changemaker
Rod Burkett, Chairman of Gardant Management Solutions, Inc., was named a 2023 Changemaker by Senior Housing News.
Celebrating 20 Years of Serving Older Adults
Three Gardant-managed affordable assisted living communities held 20th Anniversary Celebrations – Cambridge House of O’Fallon, Eagle Ridge of Decatur, and Heritage Woods of Batavia. Since opening in 2003, the communities have served more than 3,000 older adults of all incomes who have needed some help to maintain their independence.
Gardant Growth
In 2023, Gardant assumed management of more than 30 senior living, assisted living and memory care communities. The company now manages communities in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia.
Spring Lake Townhomes
Residents moved into the first four townhomes that are being developed adjacent to the St. Anthony of Lansing Supportive Living community. The townhomes are designed to serve low-income older adults. Another 32 townhomes are scheduled to open for occupancy in 2024.
Wii Bowling and Spelling Bee Champions
The team of residents from Heritage Woods of Bolingbrook won the statewide Wii Bowling championship hosted by the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition. The team of residents from Heritage Woods of South Elgin took top honors in the Spelling Bee.