Meadow Lakes Executive Director Elected
NJAHSA Professional of the Year
Our outstanding Executive Director, Jay Zimmer, has been selected Professional of the Year in Resident Care by the New Jersey Association of Homes and Services for the Aged (NJAHSA). The award recognizes Jay's outstanding service to the Meadow Lakes community in the two years since he has been our Executive Director.
Jay's efforts to improve services while maintaining careful budgetary control are appreciated by the Meadow Lakes residents. Jay has initiated many programs to enhance staff performance, to create a Great Community, to show Care for all people and to maintain the facility in top condition. The text of the nomination submitted by the Meadow Lakes Forum can be found by clicking on this link:
"Administration News"
Each month, Jay Zimmer, Meadow Lakes Executive Director, prepares a newsletter ("Administration News") for residents. In December 2008, his newsletter summarized events of the past year. For the pleasure of our readers, view that document here.
Residents regularly express thanks to Jay for the many creative ways he finds to enhance our living experience here. In addition to the accomplishments just described and others not mentioned, Jay held a series of seminars for employees on January 7, 2009. The following article, prepared for publication in the March 2009 Meadow Lark describes the employee meetings Jay held.
Presentation to Employees on January 7, 2009
Jay Zimmer recognized that staff make the difference between mediocrity and greatness and wants to be sure Meadow Lakes staff members are acknowledged for all they do. Speaking on January 7th to every work group within this Continuing Care Retirement Community, Mr. Zimmer, Executive Director of Meadow Lakes, shared information about challenges met in 2008 and those to be met during 2009.
Noting the low turnover of employees and the long service records of many, he thanked employees and described new ways they are being recognized for their contributions to the community. Mr. Zimmer pointed to staff development objectives such as English as a Second Language classes, In-Service training in Health Care, training in customer service, and recognition programs among the ways Meadow Lakes is outstanding.
Mr. Zimmer pointed to the five Pillars to Success that distinguish Meadow Lakes from other communities. These pillars, Financial, Resident Satisfaction, Employer of Choice, Quality Care, and Staff Development are the basis for excellence, a community that is valued and valuable. “Every department is being measured by these objectives as we focus and shape the values by which Meadow Lakes is managed. In today’s troubled times, these objectives are more important than ever, he said.”
He affirmed that consumers are increasingly active and knowledgeable and seek a retirement community that meets their particular needs in an extraordinary environment. To meet the demands of the public and to retain our long-standing record of excellence he encouraged continued dedication of purpose. Mr. Zimmer thanked staff for their excellent contributions and encouraged their continued support of the goals that are taking Meadow Lakes from good to great.
The article that follows was published in The Meadow Lark, the residents' newsletter in June 2007.
Meadow Lakes Leader and Listener
JAY ZIMMER, Meadow Lakes new Executive Director, age 54, grew up living with elders and, throughout much of his adult life, has been engaged with the older set.
As a child, he was raised in a three-family house in Newark—his immediate family occupied the first floor; his grandparents the second; and aunts and
uncles the third. Later, his grandmother lived with his family for 15 years.
From his undergraduate years at Ramapo College, where he worked as an orderly and technician in emergency surgery and respiratory therapy at Tuxedo Park
Memorial Hospital, to his graduate years at the New School for Social Work in New York City, with a major in psychology with a minor in gerontology; to the workplaces that followed involving key positions in health care and construction,
Jay (as he likes to be called), brings to Meadow Lakes a unique talent for blending the dynamics of health care and building oversight experience.
He also earned an MBA from Baruch College, City University of New York.
When asked what he sees as his greatest challenge as Executive Director here, Jay acknowledged that accommodating and enabling residents to live fully, satisfying lives, and to oversee the scheduling and budgeting of building and renovations, are his primary concerns.
Jay says, “Meadow Lakes is home to the men and women here, and to the extent that we can make that home the best place, emotionally and physically, we
will.” His admiration for the many residents he has met is clear, saying: “I often come away from meeting people here not only with a deep admiration for their wisdom and accomplishments, but with a list of things residents wish to have done. I try to follow up on that and to assign them to the proper managers.”
Among the past accomplishments that undergird Jay’s ability to carry out his responsibilities here is writing the first successful grant for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey establishing a medical training program in geriatrics; later managing that grant; and starting his own health care consulting
firm, which was involved principally in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. When he sold that company in 2004, the agreement of sale prevented him from
starting a similar business. So, for the past two years, he ran a veterinary management company in Tucson. During the course of these various ventures, he has been responsible for $300 million of construction in hospital and assisted living facilities.
A reader, photographer and golfer, Jay is the possessor of a low-key sense of humor, and is a runner with nine marathons to his credit. He also enjoys writing
and, wherever he has worked, he has edited—as he will here—his own newsletter.
Listening and keeping lines of communication open are key to living in any community, Jay believes. “One of my big hopes is to know what’s on people’s minds here,” he says. In pursuit of that goal, he has dined with residents, held Day Room meetings, and has been responsive to requests by residents and staff to meet with him one-on-one. He has initiated these meetings as well. This open door policy, one of give and take in the midst of transition, seems a central tenet of Executive Director Zimmer’s organization plan as he leads Meadow Lakes along the paths of change.--Pat Roberts
In December, 2008, The Meadow Lark ran a question and answer article with Jay Zimmer. To view it, please click here.
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