At our company meeting, 45 Trilogy campuses were recognized for their exceptional Customer Satisfaction Survey surveys – “making the walk” by receiving at least a score of 4.7605. Of these 45 communities, 23 are home to past and present Administrators in Training – employees that are on track – or have become – Licensed Nursing Home Administrators at our communities.
Commonly referred to as “AiTs”, Administrators in Training are employees that have enrolled in a 9-month training and development program that sets them up to serve as licensed Executive Directors. One of these employees? Berto Nunez – Executive Director of Paddock Springs Health Campus.
Thanks for taking the time, Berto! To kick things off, tell us about what initially drew you to Trilogy.
Happy to be here! I’ve been involved with senior living ever since I graduated college. I joined the company as a Program Director at Waterford Crossing Health Campus, where I oversaw the therapy department for the better part of two years. Then I became an AiT.
What interested you about the AiT program?
Growth has always been a priority for me. I’ve always wanted to do more and develop skills as both as an individual and as a leader. The AIT program gave me exactly that.
Did you work with a supervisor or “guide” through the AiT program?
I had the pleasure of working with two preceptors. Mike Wray was my first – an incredible leader who continues to mentor me to this day. He was very hands-on, guiding me in the right direction and teaching me how Trilogy operates, along with the reasons behind it. I also had the pleasure of working with Chad Knisely at Waterford Crossing, where he was my Executive Director while I was the Administrator in Assisted Living. I learned so much from him during time in that role.
Tell us about your experience rounding with the various departments. How did it benefit you as a future administrator? Did you have a favorite department that you enjoyed working with? Why?
Rounding with all the departments is crucial. It teaches you things you might not notice in your day-to-day tasks. You get to see how things run behind the scenes and learn about the challenges each department faces. My favorite, however, was working with the culinary teams. I love cooking, and seeing all the work that goes into preparing meals for 100 residents every day was eye-opening. It really deepened my respect and admiration for all the work they do.
Tell us about a favorite memory or the most impactful moment within your AiT journey.
My favorite memory is tied to Live a Dream. That program means so much to me because of the joy it brings to our residents and families. There’s nothing like seeing the smiles and gratitude when we make these dreams come true.
We once did a Live a Dream for a gentleman in Goshen who flew bomber planes in World War II. His dream was to fly one more time. Even though he couldn’t walk, we were able to lift him into the co-pilot’s chair. The smile on his face was priceless and something I’ll never forget.
Tell us about the training courses you completed. What did the coursework entail? Did you feel it was beneficial to your AiT journey? How?
I’ve said this many times: the AIT program at Trilogy is second to none. The time and dedication they give you is incredible. There’s so much more than just being in a building; they truly work hard to give you the experiences and tools you need. We completed several trainings with the home office that were crucial to my growth and development. My favorite was Crucial Conversations with Brian Cavins. That training provided tools I use every day. The preceptors are invested in your success and give you different learning opportunities, whether it’s working in their building or touring another campus to gain different perspectives. And the support doesn’t end when the AIT program is over. To this day, I still reach out to my preceptor for guidance, and without hesitation, he’s always there to help.
What advice would you give to future AiTs or someone considering an administrative role in senior living?
Healthcare is incredibly rewarding and a great field to get into. Building connections will help you down the road. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek guidance from your preceptor and peers. Put in the work, and the rewards will follow!
Click here to learn more about our Trilogy careers, including our AiT program – then stay tuned for future posts as we spotlight Administrators included on this list!