Clare Oaks employees celebrate milestone anniversaries
Forty-eight of Clare Oaks' 227 employees celebrated landmark employment anniversaries at a special ceremony in March, including six professionals recognized for marking 10 years of service at the continuing care retirement community in Bartlett.
"While our celebration predates the measures Clare Oaks is taking to address the threat of COVID-19, we now appreciate even more the comfort we all take in knowing that our team of professionals dedicate themselves - for the long term - to our residents, to their families and to each other," says Gigi Walker, CEO of Clare Oaks.
This level of employee longevity is remarkable in the retirement community industry. According to McKnight's Long-Term Care News, the average industry annual turnover is 42 percent.
At Clare Oaks, however, only 27 percent of the staff have been working there for less than a year. Clare Oaks' long-term employee retention far exceeds industry standards, according to Colleen McCarthy, human resources manager for the community.
While 48 employees celebrated milestone anniversaries, many others have significant tenure. In fact, of the 227 employees, 14 people have worked at Clare Oaks more than 10 years, and 61 people have passed their fifth anniversary.
"We are so fortunate to find employees who care about the close-knit, family feel of the facility," says McCarthy. "Our long-term employees tell us they stay because Clare Oaks feels like home."
To recognize their longevity, employees achieving their five-year and 10-year milestones received an anniversary crystal with their name and anniversary date. Those employees completing their first year received a certificate.
Chief Executive Officer Gigi Walker, who has served Clare Oaks for more than nine years, congratulated all honorees and shared special memories about each of them.
Clare Oaks honored six employees for their 10 years of service, including Tammette Holzer of Bartlett, Steven Mazzeffi of St. Charles, Isa McCauley of Bartlett, Nancy Recendez of West Chicago, Engjellushe Vide of Streamwood and Cheryl Wild of South Elgin.
Additionally, these employees earned recognition for completing five years of service: Maria Aguilera of Winfield, Carol Baffa of Huntley, Shannon Bishop of Bartlett, Renie Bognot of Streamwood, Ivette Espinoza of Elgin, Sandra Gonzalez of Lake in the Hills, Susan Hipolito of Bartlett, Leah Kelly of Schaumburg, Michael Konopa of Bartlett, Colleen McCarthy of South Elgin, Ala Melco of Huntley, David Moreno of River Grove, Nancy Olvera of Elgin, Myrna Orpia of Streamwood, Gerard Sabugaa of South Elgin and Calvin Thomas of Hanover Park.
Employees celebrating the completion of their first year working at Clare Oaks include Claudia Alvarez of Carpentersville, Katleya Baldazo of Schaumburg, Jorge Camaro of West Chicago, Maria Castro of Hanover Park, Catherine Cohrs of Carol Stream, Lourdes Domingo of Streamwood, Barbara Evans of West Chicago, Michelle Franzak of Palatine, Leslie George of Bartlett, Maureen Gillespie of Schaumburg, Stephanie Henneken of Carpentersville, Durre Shehwar Khalil of Bartlett, Kaleigh LaRue of Bartlett, Aneta Margiotta of Algonquin, Theresa McGlone of Aurora, Giselle Milla of Streamwood, Frank Morici of Kildeer, Ofelia Ruiz of Lombard, Jonathan Sandoval of Elgin, Francisco Sarmiento of Streamwood, Joel Teesdale of Bartlett, Carol Walsh of Carol Stream and Amber Zaki of Hoffman Estates.
Since 2008, Clare Oaks has provided independent living apartments and cottages, as well as a continuum of care for nearly 300 residents on its 41-acre campus. Lifestyle and health care programs include independent living, assisted living, memory support, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care.
For information about Clare Oaks, 825 Carillon Drive, Bartlett, call (630) 372-1983 or visit ClareOaks.org.
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