At our recent spring 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? Holly Snyder – Executive Director of Prairie Lakes Health Campus.
Thanks for taking the time, Holly! To kick things off, tell us about what initially drew you to Trilogy.
The first time I stepped into a nursing home at 18 years old, I instantly knew working with seniors was my calling and passion. I became a nurse and kept my nursing license active while being a stay-at-home mom for many years. I had always heard wonderful things about Trilogy, so I was thrilled when a Trilogy campus opened near my house.
How did you come to learn about the Administrator In Training program?
I started working at Trilogy PRN and immediately fell in love with the company and its values. Trilogy stands behind every word they say and understands that working with a servant’s heart and providing the best possible care to our residents is what truly matters. I knew I wanted to grow with this company. After working as the Director of Assisted Living for five years, I became the Legacy Neighbor Director. It was incredibly rewarding to see how far you can bring a building by leading with a servant’s heart. I’ve been fortunate to have Rhonda Sanders-Simmonds as a mentor and Randy Bufford, who first encouraged me to pursue the AiT. I jumped at the opportunity because I wanted to make a positive difference for an entire campus and help lead a team to exceed our residents’ expectations.
Did you work with a supervisor or “guide” through the AiT program?
Yes! Stacy Mevzek. Stacy is the best. She not only helped me achieve my goal of becoming an Executive Director but also wanted me to be successful. She took the time to explain things and help me understand the reasons behind them. I was fortunate to assist at another campus during my AiT, which allowed me to grow, and I knew she was only a phone call away. I’m forever grateful for the lifelong friendship we forged during our journey together.
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 in all departments was very beneficial. I loved being in dining! It’s incredible to witness the teamwork and dedication that takes place. Every single person in the department plays such an important role, from food safety and cooking to preparation and sanitation. Everything has to be perfect to make our dining experience memorable!
Tell us about a favorite memory or the most impactful moment within your AiT journey.
My favorite memory was having the opportunity to help at St. Mary’s while the ED was on leave. The campus welcomed me with open arms. It was so rewarding to see how, as an AiT, you can make an impact and change the atmosphere by not only following Trilogy Standards but believing in them.
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 completed the Trilogy AiT program, which focused on training to help us better understand how to truly lead a team. I found the ALP project very beneficial and enjoyed spending time on it. I chose retention as my project, and to this day, I have very low turnover numbers by following the Trilogy Standards and being creative in ways to connect with employees.
Tell us about your role within the company now.
I am currently the Executive Director at Prairie Lakes Health Campus in Noblesville, the top-rated campus in CSS.
What advice would you give to future AiTs or someone considering an administrative role in senior living?
Ask yourself your “Why.” Why do you want to be in this role? Being in an administrative role in long-term care provides a unique opportunity to truly make a difference. It’s a career that allows you to lead and support a team with a caring, servant’s heart. Some days will be challenging, but they will also be fulfilling and rewarding. What our seniors give to us is more than we can ever give to them.
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!