Virginia Health Services Senior Recruiters Colleen Reynolds and Renee Turner will host quarterly Recruiting Roadshows at our seven nursing and rehabilitation centers in 2025. The first Roadshow of the year is January 27-30. The next event will be held in April, and virtual events are also in the works for 2025.
The Recruiting Roadshow gives applicants a chance to apply and interview in person at our locations in Newport News, Hampton, York County, Gloucester and Kilmarnock. Job candidates can see our centers and get a feel for where they are applying.
“I want to make myself more visible to team members and applicants in each building,” Colleen says.
The increased presence should better support new hires and identify team needs.
Schedule
January dates:
York Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and The Hamilton Assisted Living, 9 a.m.-noon Monday, Jan. 27
Coliseum Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 1-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27.
James River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28.
The Newport Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and The Huntington Assisted Living, 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Northampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Lancashire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan. 30.
Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30.
How to be a successful applicant
Colleen shared ways to stand out among job applicants to Virginia Health Services. She sees hundreds of applications and conducts about 15 phone interviews a day. Make yourself standout.
“I’ll take a chance on people for a phone interview if the application looks like a professional effort was made. If you’re not making the effort in the application, hard to think you’ll put an effort into the work. Put your best foot forward to get to the interview process and sell yourself,” Colleen says.
Application tips
Complete all application questions.
Spelling and grammar should be correct.
Create a professional email address to use when applying. Use your correct contact information so you are reachable.
Have a professional resume (regardless of work history).
List any transferable skills
Be professional (avoid personal details)
List work experience
For those with limited or no work history, such as high school students, please list any part-time work experience or have an objective statement with a career goal listed. Be sure to include school and graduation date.
How to successfully interview by phone
Research Virginia Health Services (information is easily accessible at vahs.com). Colleen says, “Tell me why you want to work for VHS and what you know. Take the time to visit the website. I always ask, ‘why do you want to work for Virginia Health Services?’”
Ask questions about the job and company.
Read the job description so you can best speak to how your qualities and skills make you the right fit for the job to which you are applying. Talk up your skills – hard (like clinicals) or soft (such as organization and time management).
Be on time. Answer the phone. Give advance notice if possible to cancel. “Life happens, but keep it at a professional level at all times,” Colleen says.
Know your resume. Clarify when you were licensed. Colleen says, “Know your own work history and those important dates.”
Send a thank you message to follow up to everyone you spoke to.
How to successfully interview in person
Be professional.
Be on time.
Dress business casual for an in-person or virtual interview.
Be prepared. Know your work history.
Present yourself in a professional way.
Be prepared with questions. Ask about the position or VHS. “You have to make sure it’s a good fit for you the same as we need to make sure it’s a good fit for the company. … You have to make sure you know where you’re going,” Colleen says. (This applies to phone interviews as well.)
Send a thank you message to follow up.
“Everyone serves a purpose on the team,” Colleen says. “Tell me how you think you’ll fit in the organization and what you bring to the team.”
Join our team
Explore career paths with Virginia Health Services and apply online at vahs.com/careers.
Josh Pittock started working at The Arbors Independent Living part-time about 14 years ago while also working as the kitchen manager at Ruby Tuesday. When Darden announced restaurant closures, Josh found the opportunity to start full-time at The Arbors as a line cook.
When he started at The Arbors, Josh said he wanted to expand his knowledge and try different things.
Josh Pittock was promoted to VHS Executive Chef the end of November 2024.
“I ended up fitting in real well here, and I haven’t looked back since,” he said.
He started overseeing The Arbors kitchen last year following the departure of then-executive chef Akira Johnston. With the promotion to VHS Executive Chef at the end of November, Josh also takes on responsibility of working with the dietary team at the two assisted living communities and seven nursing and rehabilitation centers to streamline ordering, improve quality, train kitchen managers and oversee menus.
“I’m most excited about learning the behind-the-scenes stuff, and being hands-on with scheduling and ordering. I want to build relationships with vendors we currently have. In building those personal relationships, we’re getting more samples brought in and learning of nicer quality products. It’s opening up more opportunities for us here,” he said.
Josh’s role will empower his team in the kitchen as he becomes less hands-on with the food and more hands-on with the running and management of the kitchen.
He has a team in place that he trusts. Several team members have been working together with Josh for several years.
“I don’t think I could be as successful here as I am and as we have been without my team,” Josh said. “I am nothing without the staff I have behind me.”
Restaurants vs. Retirement Living
Josh spent six years at Ruby Tuesday, working up the ranks from dishwasher to kitchen manager with the occasional stint serving. He said he grew up in kitchens, going to work with his uncle and then taking on jobs in restaurants.
The Arbors offers a restaurant-style experience to residents with all-day dining service. Menus change frequently throughout the year and there are three specials daily to accompany the set line-up of entrees. But it’s serving the residents consistently that makes the experience unique to working in a restaurant.
“What I really like about retirement communities is the relationships you get to build with the people. You see the same people every day. It’s not like a restaurant with a revolving door and you don’t know the customers coming in every day. You can build relationships with the people here. It’s just nicer to come in and know my demographic,” Josh said. “I know who they are and how to please them.”
Menu development
Josh calls himself a people pleaser. He appreciates feedback and says one of the best parts of his day is going into the dining room and seeing the residents’ smiling and enjoying their food.
“I’ve seen so much food go in and out of this place, I know what’s popular, what’s not popular, what to stay away from and what to keep on the menus,” he said.
The way to these residents’ hearts?
“Anything Southern,” he said. “You can’t go wrong with pot roast, meatloaf, any traditional Southern meal — very, very Southern influenced here.”
Fried chicken, shrimp cocktail, and shrimp and grits are popular items.
“A simple, home-cooked menu and residents will go crazy,” he said.
While it’s difficult to please everyone all the time, there is a full-fledged restaurant style menu to choose from every day.
He plans to involve the residents more in future menu releases, including offering cooking demonstrations.
“I want to review the menu with the residents, let them sample it and offer feedback and input to plan the next menu so they feel included,” he said.
New comment cards also offer residents the opportunity to provide feedback, which is taken into consideration as Josh creates new menus.
How they’d like their food presented also is taken into consideration. They enjoy buffet-style meals instead of plated meals on occasion.
“We prefer a buffet, but it depends on the menu,” Josh said. “Price point is the biggest factor in deciding. … Our Christmas dining experience be a buffet. The residents requested one of the holidays be buffet.”
The Arbors often hosts community groups for meetings and events, caters functions for Virginia Health Services, and residents often take advantage of the catering services. November through January are often the busiest months.
“I’m a people pleaser. If I can make people happy, we’ll do it. If we’re properly staffed, we don’t mind it all,” Josh said.
Group photo from Josh’s promotion. Pictured are VHS Vice President of Operations Don Lundin, Arbors Director Amanda Lehto, Executive Chef Josh Pittock, Executive Director of Senior Living Stephanie Johnston and Vice President of Facilities and Development Jesse Young.
Looking ahead
Josh, who has worked in restaurants most of his life, has trained under six different chefs. He has background in French, Americana and Southern cooking.
“Southern roots is where my background is from,” Josh said.
While there have been ups and downs in the kitchen at The Arbors over the years, Josh said he’s glad he stuck it out “because we are where we are.”
Hearing from residents and seeing them happy keeps him going, he said.
“I’m excited to see where the future takes me, like overseeing other facilities. It’s the first time I’ve been put in a position to do other things. I’m excited to branch out and try to help the other facilities. I think we’ve done a good job in what we’ve done here in the last two years, and it will be good to share what works with other communities,” he said.
Join our team
We are looking for dietary aides, cooks and servers across our organization. Gain valuable experience in a dining environment and build relationships with the people you serve. Visit vahs.com/careers to learn more and apply.
Virginia Health Services added six Nurse Aides to its ranks with the apprenticeship program graduation ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, at Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester.
The six-week earn-as-you-learn program includes classwork, clinical skills labs and on-the-floor experience. The program also covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA.
The graduates — Brianna Casey, Marva Grizzle, Angelique Wade (valedictorian), Keira Watkins (salutatorian), Sierra Watlington and Jenna West — will continue on as VHS team members at Walter Reed and York.
They were joined by friends, family and members of the Walter Reed and VHS corporate team, including Vice President of Operations Don Lundin and Vice President of Nursing Rebecca Boyd, Walter Reed Director of Nursing Lana Ketch, RN, Administrator Bryant Hudgins and Assistant Administrator Jazmin Cuevas-Perez.
Program education
The students were led by Training and Education Coordinator Tracy Williams, BSN, RN at Walter Reed, and were joined by Director of Education Princess Henderson, RN, BSN, and instructor Nora Gillespie, RN, for the ceremony.
“I was teaching the young lady I was (when I took) this class. It’s a vigorous class,” Tracy said. “After the first weekend of on-the-job-training, they were ready to keep up with the residents they saw. I got compliments from all of the floor nursing team.”
Training and Education Coordinator Tracy Williams addresses graduates and those in attendance during a ceremony Dec. 3, 2024, at Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Princess called the class a stepping stone to their futures in healthcare, as hers was when she started with VHS in 2008, going from CNA through nursing school for her RN, and moving into leadership roles.
Bryant was a member of the first CNA class at Walter Reed nearly 30 years ago. He completed nursing school to be an LPN and then became a licensed administrator with VHS.
“It is truly an entrance to healthcare, where there are all kinds of opportunities,” he said. “We’re grateful you chose us as where you started. It takes a lot of compassion and heart to take care of other people, and your support system is the backbone needed to take this adventure.
“Our team and our community need more caregivers and big smiling faces.”
The students
Marva, who received the Champion Award, came into the class with healthcare experience but, as Nora said, had to relearn the tested methods.
“She was open to unlearning what she had done before,” Nora said, “and has a smile that can light up the whole room.”
Brianna Casey, who earned the Clinical Superlative Award and was in the running for salutatorian, was “all-in,” Nora said.
Tracy said Sierra Watlington, who worked for Walter Reed prior to joining the class, was comfortable on the floor and requested to work on the Memory Care Unit.
“It takes a special person to spend time on that unit,” Tracy said. Nora added it takes patience, tremendous heart and organization — and Sierra cares about everything she does.
Jenna West jumped right in and picked up on skills quickly after having a delayed start to joining the class.
Keira Watkins, the salutatorian, “never stops smiling,” Tracy said. She missed being top of the class by a point.
The valedictorian
Angelique rose to the top to be honored as class valedictorian. She excelled in every aspect of the class, Tracy said, and was always helping members of the Walter Reed team.
“She has a good heart,” Nora said.
Angelique delivered remarks to those in attendance, congratulating her classmates.
Valedictorian Angelique Wade delivers remarks during Tuesday’s graduation ceremony.
“We have successfully taken the first step on an exciting journey. … Here we stand together ready to embark on the new chapter of life as certified nurse assistants. It takes a special type of person to be a CNA, to see a person live through the toughest moments of their lives and do that caring not only for their physical but mental wellbeing,” she said.
“Every time I work on the floor, I remind myself that the residents are not living at our jobs, we are working at their homes. In class we learn about compassion — I see compassion in every one of our graduates today. … Here I truly felt like I belonged.”
She thanked those in attendance and Tracy.
“We wouldn’t be here without each other and words cannot express my appreciation for my fellow graduates and our teacher Miss Tracy. … I remind you going forward to always be compassionate to one another and always strive for excellence.”
What’s next
The students will go through reviews with the education team to prepare them for the state certification exam.
“We’re invested in our students and want to make you the best,” Nora said. She reviewed taking blood pressure with the students at Walter Reed. “You must have a good heart and good skills, and you’ve got it.”
Join the team
Applications are open for the apprenticeship program’s next class at Walter Reed, which runs Jan. 13-Feb. 24.
The earn-as-you-learn program apprenticeship program graduates Care Assistants to Nurse Aides and covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA. The nearly six-week course includes classwork, skills labs and on-the-job training at our nursing and rehabilitation centers. You continue on as a team member at VHS upon graduation.
Seven Virginia Health Services apprentice program students graduated from Care Assistants to Nurse Aides during a ceremony Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at the EEE Center in Port Warwick.
The six-week earn-as-you-learn program includes classwork, clinical skills labs and on-the-floor experience. The program also covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA.
The graduates — Donavon Brinkley, Yakia Cooper, Lamani Hill, Aireal Montgomery, Alex Proietti (valedictorian), Jadelynn Rodriguez Tapia (salutatorian) and LaToya Young — will continue on as VHS team members at Coliseum, James River, Northampton and York Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers.
Nora’s signature move, “Done,” with the graduates.
The seven students were led by Director of Education Princess Henderson, RN, BSN; instructor Nora Gillespie, RN; and Nursing Training and Education Coordinator Terry Williamson, LPN.
Princess referred to the program as “CNA bootcamp” during which the students worked hard every day, in part thanks to the support of their loved ones, many of whom were in attendance Thursday.
It included learning 22 skills and spending six days on clinicals at Coliseum.
“This was a unique class,” Nora said. “I thoroughly enjoyed teaching this class and I’m turning the reins over to Terry in my semi-retirement.”
The graduates
Terry and Nora reflected on each graduate’s journey during the ceremony.
Donavon Brinkley, who earned the Champion Award for showing the most progression, entered the class without a background in healthcare.
“You stepped into everything you did — you earned it daily. You did it with humor, and this class had your back,” Nora said.
Yakia Cooper, who earned the Clinical superlative award, excelled in the class, Terry said. Yakia was a resident care assistant with VHS when Princess recruited her for the class.
“You have a heart that shines and the residents feel you care when you walk into the room,” Nora said.
Nora said Lamani Hill was determined from day one.
“She advocated for her residents and was determined to do well,” Terry said. “Her residents are in her DNA.”
Aireal Montgomery quietly advocated for herself and was engaged with the residents. She gained confidence throughout the class, Terry said.
Salutatorian Jadelynn Rodriguez Tapia was “determined to the right thing,” Terry said. Jadelynn has a background in healthcare, and “cared about everything,” Nora said.
Terry recalled LaToya Young from their time working together at another organization.
“She loves what she does, and she joined this class because she wanted to be better. She’s kind and quiet and she really excelled,” Terry said.
The reason Terry recognized LaToya, Nora said, “is because we remember the ones who care about what they do. You are the complete picture.”
Valedictory speech
Valedictorian Alex Proietti, who served in the Marines and came into the class without a background in healthcare, was “determined to do it well,” Terry said.
In challenging environments, he excelled, Nora said.
Alex shared remarks with his fellow graduates, including thanking his fellow classmates and their support systems.
“I’ve seen a lot of impressive and amazing things socially and academically from this group. Being valedictorian, you guys made me earn it, Jadelynn especially,” he said. “… Ex-military, former Marine, I have no clue about the medical stuff until a month and a half ago when we started this. It was a completely different environment … and one of the things I noticed right away with my classmates is the overwhelming amount of compassion, knowledge and overall heart.”
He said that while his background and culture were different than those of his classmates, they “welcomed me in and gave me a really weird, work dysfunctional family,” to which everyone laughed.
“We come together more often than not, and there’s a certain bond you make with people in certain situations … to a level I didn’t see coming. Thank you, guys, for that,” he said. “… You guys have put up with a lot and helped me get to this point. … There were times I really didn’t know if this was for me, and I would see the heart in you guys and I would absorb it. I owe this to you all … and to my wonderful teachers, who gave me everything I needed to succeed.”
What’s next
Princess told the graduates she hoped the class inspired them all.
“The sky is the limit. This class gives you the foundation of nursing. Ethics, morals — the things you learned here will always be with you,” she said. “It’s harder to do the right thing every day. I’m proud of you. We watched you grow and mature over the course of this class.”
Terry said the students have varying aspirations. Some are working toward degrees and licenses in healthcare administration, medical billing and nursing school, while others are interested in being CNAs.
“We’re proud and excited for all your endeavors,” she said.
Nora, who referred to the class as a “giggle factory,” said teachers look for those joyous moments that make them proud, and the class gave her many.
Join the team
We are recruiting for our apprentice program’s January classes on the Peninsula and at Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester. The earn-as-you-learn program apprenticeship program graduates Care Assistants to Nurse Aides and covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA. The nearly six-week course includes classwork, skills labs and on-the-job training at our nursing and rehabilitation centers. You continue on as a team member at VHS upon graduation.
Our 2025 classes begin Jan. 6 on the Peninsula and Jan. 13 in Gloucester. Visit vahs.com/apprenticeship to learn more and apply.
The team has a combined 50(ish) years of experience with Virginia Health Services. And how do they surprise the individuals they talk to daily?
“Many people are surprised that they get to talk to a human voice,” says team leader Kassie Martin.
They field about 100 (or more) phone calls a day between them. They remain professional, courteous and patient as so many of the individuals they speak with feel the stress of finding a safe place for their loved ones.
Our team members have to know how to decipher insurance information, understand medical charts and breakdown financials.
The team reads medical history and charts – and they get referrals from many sources.
It’s a challenging job to keep track of multiple individuals and where each is in the process. Once the admissions process is completed, the individual transitions to a Resident Navigator at the nursing center to onboard in person, which means our admissions team rarely meets in person those they’ve admitted.
It’s worth it. The team agrees the work they do helps contribute to the community they work in.
Thank you to our team! We can’t do it without you!
Learn more about us
Virginia Health Services offers seven nursing and rehabilitation centers in Hampton, Newport News, Gloucester, York County and Kilmarnock. We provide skilled, long-term and respite care. Our Walter Reed location in Gloucester County offers Memory Care, which also will be provided at Lancashire in Kilmarnock by the end of 2024.
Our Coliseum location in Hampton provides on-site dialysis to residents, and the skilled Mitchell unit at James River in Newport News has been recently refurbished.
Visit vahs.com/nursingcenters to learn more and request information of our centralized admissions team.
VHS President and CEO Mark Klyczek was one of 71 executives who shared “their top partnerships of the year — and what’s next” in a Becker’s Healthcare article.
“We believe to serve our community we cannot be all things to all people and need great partnerships to be successful,” Mark says.
“We have been selected to participate in the CMS demonstration project, GUIDE Model, caring for individuals with dementia in the community. We have already initiated partnership discussions with other GUIDE enrolled providers, some of which are in our market and we have not had partnerships in the past. This will help to increase the population we serve and continue to diversify our revenue streams.”
Mark also says strengthening payer relationships will be a priority in 2025.
The leaders, including Mark, will be featured speakers at the Becker’s 12th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable conference in November.
The Gloucester Gazette-Journal published an article recognizing Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s third straight appearance on the America’s Best Nursing Homes list.
The story outlines the services offered at Walter Reed, which includes Memory Care, and its background.
It is the third consecutive year Walter Reed has received the honor.
GLOUCESTER, Va. (October 28, 2024) – Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester, a Virginia Health Services (VHS) community, has been recognized on Newsweek’s America’s Best Nursing Homes 2025 list. This prestigious award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on September 25, 2024, and can currently be viewed on Newsweek’s website.
This is the third straight year Walter Reed has earned the Newsweek honor. Walter Reed opened in 1981 in its current location and is one of seven nursing and rehabilitation centers under the VHS umbrella, which also includes home care, hospice, assisted and independent living, along with rehabilitation and pharmacy services. Walter Reed offers skilled and long-term nursing care in addition to Memory Care units for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The America’s Best Nursing Homes 2025 ranking lists the nation’s leading nursing homes in the 25 unique states with the highest number of facilities according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The evaluation is based on the following four pillars:
CMS data used to determine the performance of nursing homes.
Reputation Score based on a national online survey of thousands of medical professionals.
Resident Satisfaction Data.
Accreditation by The Joint Commission (TJC) and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
Based on the results of the study, Walter Reed is honored to again be recognized as one of Newsweek’s America’s Best Nursing Homes.
“Being honored nationally three times in a row is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Virginia Health Services President and CEO Mark Klyczek. “The team’s dedication to providing quality resident care is embraced throughout the building, and we’re so proud they are being recognized again for their hard work.”
Learn more about the Walter Reed community and its engaged residents and team members at vahs.com/walterreed or visit Walter Reed’s Facebook page.
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About VHS
Locally owned and headquartered in Newport News, Virginia since 1963, Virginia Health Services offers exceptional senior living and health care services. We specialize in the continuum of care from active lifestyle independent and assisted senior living communities, to skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. Our 1,000+ Team Members are passionate and committed to the well-being and quality care of our residents. Beyond our thoughtfully maintained communities located throughout the Virginia Peninsula, we offer a full range of personalized skilled health care, outpatient therapy, pharmacy, home care and hospice services by specially trained staff in the comfort and privacy of your home. To learn more, please visit our website at www.vahs.com.
About Statista:
Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, business relevant data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.
It’s National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week (Oct. 20-26), and Virginia Health Services celebrates its maintenance and facilities team members. The VHS team creates home-like environments for residents, makes sure safety is a top priority throughout its communities and takes on projects as the organization expands its services.
VHS operates three senior living communities, seven nursing and rehabilitation centers, and maintains offices for corporate support services, VHS Rehabilitation, VHS Home Health Care and VHS Home Hospice. The upkeep of each facility requires a team dedicated to working behind the scenes, changing light bulbs, checking the plumbing, and so much more.
VHS Vice President of Facilities and Development Jesse Young.
Jesse Young, VHS Vice President of Facilities and Development, oversees facility maintenance and building improvements. He says the unique skill sets each member of the team has allows VHS to be nimble and efficient.
“Because our team have those specific skills, we can do things a lot of organizations can’t (without contracting),” he says. “The only way it works is because of them and what they bring to the table.”
Jesse and his team also work with contractors and other vendors to complete larger building improvements and upgrades, particularly those that are public-facing.
“It’s a team effort and it wouldn’t work without the full team,” Jess says. “That includes our vendor relationships. We have to work to build them and maintain clear communication.”
Facility updates
Jesse and his team have been coordinating with vendors and internal teams as the VHS communities undergo several building improvements, enhancements and upgrades this year.
James River
James River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, which opened 60 years ago, will have a new entrance and office space. The G.S. Mitchell unit has undergone renovations and reopens this month, while an updated dining room opened this spring.
“It’s the most significant facelift to any unit in many years,” Jesse said. “There isn’t a unit at James River that hasn’t been touched in some way.”
About half the building will have new paint, flooring, handrails, corner guards and artwork. The 23 rooms on the Mitchell unit and shared spaces were redone. And behind-the-scenes, significant heating and cooling work and pipe insulation is complete.
More projects will follow the completion of the front entrance.
Lancashire
Lancashire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is preparing to open a Memory Care unit by the end of the year. The lobby also was updated with new flooring, paint, signage and artwork. Those updates will continue with new paint, handrails and corridor work that leads from the front to its resident units.
The unit being converted to Memory Care required the addition of security doors. A quiet room was added to the end of the hall for relaxation and decompression. There is fresh paint, flooring and artwork throughout. A living space was created to “feel like home,” Jesse says, with a kitchen area, lounge furniture and dining space.
“Hopefully, this becomes the pattern for where we’ll go with additional community upgrades — implementing a warmer, livelier feel with consistent branding,” Jesse says.
This was done while rooms were in use by residents.
“That expanded the number of people involved. It took all building staff to coordinate residents while rooms were updated. The residents in rooms being work on would be relocated to somewhere safe and comfortable during the day and returned to their room when the work was completed that evening. The full Coliseum team was involved to ensure the least disruptions to the residents. We didn’t want to disrupts operations any more than we had to,” Jesse says.
Coliseum is no stranger to upgrades. Previous building projects included the opening of the Dialysis Den in 2023 and lobby upgrades.
Additional updates
The Arbors Independent Living also completed building improvements this year, including apartment upgrades with granite counters and stainless-steel appliances, flooring throughout the building, updated café fixtures, furniture and artwork, and new furnishings throughout the first floor.
The VHS facilities team also is working on upgrades to the lobbies of the remaining five nursing and rehabilitation centers over the next few years. Jesse says plans are being worked on for each, but the plan is to keep consistent use of materials (such as paint, flooring and artwork) across all communities.
Maintaining VHS
The upkeep of all communities falls on the support team in coordination with maintenance, housekeeping and environmental services.
For example, using the same materials means that the same color paint can be used for touch-ups across communities or the same cleaning chemicals for surfaces can be used. It creates efficiency across the organization.
Members of the Corporate EVS Team (Sharon Robins, Traci Chestnut-Jefferson, Diego Guerrero Cortez, Alfred Harris, Lionel Harris, Maxine Hawkins, Daniel Revere and Marsha Cheek) were recognized as Team Members of the Quarter (for Q3) for their work across our communities.
The team also keeps up with daily tasks, such as changing light bulbs, plumbing repairs, door adjustments and more. Some of the tasks are major, and the corporate team helps handle larger-scale tasks, such as AC/heating unit replacements and boilers.
The work is done purposefully, Jesse says, and the team has to bring the atmosphere of transparency and communication so operations in the communities aren’t disrupted.
“This only works when all the pieces are there,” he says. “It’s fun; there’s never a dull moment.”
Join our team!
We are always on the search for talented jacks of all trades!
Among our career opportunities is an opening for an assistant project manager, which will report to Jesse and help oversee our building projects throughout the organization.
She answers the door with a warm smile and introduces herself as “Dot. Just Dot.”
She says her gait is a little slower now, but she’s had a “very grateful life, physically and in every way.”
And today, she celebrates her 100th birthday.
Dorothy Knopf — or as she says, “Dot” — lived a significant part of her life in Yorktown. She started calling The Arbors Independent Living home a few months ago. She rehabbed from a fall at her daughter Karen’s house and realized she couldn’t just return to her longtime home.
“When I thought this change had to come, which was nothing but fine, I came here to The Arbors. I just love the surroundings, the park, and how fortunate I was to get this apartment with the view and bay window,” she says from her living room that overlooks Port Warwick’s Styron Square. “I loved this apartment when it was shown to me. … I had several friends who had moved here.”
She now lives even closer to her daughter, who is 10 minutes away, and a grandson.
“I’ve not one regret and enjoy it all. So friendly,” Dot says. “… Certain time of life, you need to be near family when you can. I think it’s very important. … It just seemed so nice to be here. It’s a nice size, not too large. … You know, I think I almost (have everyone’s name) down.”
She was able to move in her china cabinet, which was a Christmas gift from her late husband, and several other meaningful pieces.
“I think when you realized you could bring that, you’d be OK,” Karen says to Dot, who nods.
“I feel very much at home, and that’s a lot to say after living where I did for that number of years (in Yorktown),” Dot says.
Celebrating a century
Also helping her feel at home in Newport News is living close to family. She’s been close to her daughter’s family and friends throughout her life.
And it’s with her family that Dot chose to celebrate her century of life.
Dorothy Knopf now calls The Arbors home and loves her view of Styron Square from her living room’s bay window.
She, Karen and her husband, and their two sons and their families (including five great-grandchildren) are spending the weekend in the Outer Banks.
“My family have gone to the beach 47 consecutive years. We never missed,” Dot says. “Since (the children are) older, it’s harder. We’re going my birthday weekend. My best thing I love is going to Nags Head. We’re all getting together, we have two cottages and we’re going to have a wonderful weekend.”
There was no lack of celebration leading up to the big day, either. There were several smaller trips with Karen and her friends, and luncheons throughout the lead-up week.
“See what you get when you get old!” she says with a laugh.
“I’m grateful. I never knew anybody to be 100, I never thought I’d be 100 and there was never anybody in my family, so I don’t know what makes me different, but I hope Karen can carry it on.”
Warm welcome to The Arbors
Dot says the residents and team members at The Arbors have become “a wonderful word, family.”
Joyce ran into Dot at a party at the Warwick Yacht Club when they were there with their children. Joyce said she heard a rumor Dot was moving in.
“She said, ‘If you ever decide to come’ — and I think it’s the loveliest thing — she said, ‘there’ll always be a chair at my table,’” Dot recalls.
(If you don’t have a tear in your eye right now, you’re doing better than this writer did when first hearing the story.)
“I went down to the dining room the day I moved in — and I stood there and I’ll never forget, I saw this hand go up and it was Joyce. I cry every time I tell it. There was my chair, waiting for me. … That’s like home and she welcomed me. It’s been lovely,” Dot says.
“That’s The Arbors and the kind of people that are here. Lovely people, and willing to help you or do anything for you. And I in turn like to do for them too. So, it works both ways; it becomes contagious.”
Sandy, Dot and Joyce during The Arbors homecoming event in September, sharing their dining room table.
She enjoys dinner time, especially on Thursdays when the flower arrangements turn over and she can take home one of the centerpieces. She attends lunch outings, other socials and, often, happy hour.
“I’m not too old for that!” she says.
She also goes out often with her daughter, who is a retired teacher, and her friends.
“Mom is like another mother to those gals,” Karen says.
Dot adds, “They include me. They’re lovely. I’m very grateful to Karen and her friends because most of mine have gone to the angels.”
Before she moved from her home, one of her favorite hobbies was keeping up her yard. She was active with the church and in garden clubs. She enjoys to read. And yes, she still drives.
“I just enjoy people in general,” she says. “I love my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They’re grown now. I do love chatting with people; don’t want to be overbearing. And anything I can do for somebody.”
Karen says she always has done things for others.
“She’s been very lucky to be healthy and her attitude — she sees the best,” Karen says.
A love story
Dot developed much of her outlook on life from her husband. She became a widow 29 years ago.
“I lived with a wonderful man; we were young when we got married. I was one of the lucky ones. I gained a lot from him too,” she says.
He was in real estate and insurance, which is what brought the couple to Virginia many years ago.
“He lived by three things,” Dot says. “Your ACE factor. A-attitude; C-conviction and E-enthusiasm. Think of it, that’s your ACE factor. It adds up.”
She says she had a wonderful life with her husband of 51 years. They were both from Scarsdale, N.Y. and reconnected when he returned from being a prisoner of war (POW) during World War II while stationed with the Army in Germany.
“He went through a lot at a young age, right out of high school. He’s one of the lucky ones, he finally did come home,” she says.
It’s a beautiful story even when told nearly 80 years later.
“She and Daddy’s romance coming back from war could be a Hallmark movie,” Karen says.
She was still living in Scarsdale, about 19 years old, and Dot and her mother were at an ice cream shop in town near the train station.
“My Mama could see out the window, and she had a strange look on her face,” Dot says. “A train had come in, she says, ‘Bud, there’s a solider boy coming up the stairs in the distance. I cannot believe this, I think it’s Bobby.’
“My mother was beside herself, she was crazy about him as I was. She said, ‘go out and meet him!’ I didn’t know if I could move. But I did — I ran out in the middle of the street, cars were honking — and we just met up again. I brought him back into the ice cream shop to see Mom and she offered to drive him home.
“We took him home; he lived the next street to mine. His mother didn’t know he was here anymore than I did. And he invited us in! When he got out of the car, he said, ‘I’ll see you tonight.’ And he did. I can still see the expression on his mother’s face. She had three sons who were in different branches of the service. My husband was her baby. Never dreaming he would go through so much. But he came back. And he did come by that night, and ever since.”
Calling Virginia home
The couple moved to Virginia’s Eastern Shore when Karen was 18 months old.
“It’s where our roots are,” Karen says.
“I feel I’m a Virginian – and proud to be,” Dot says.
Dot said that while she has great respect for the mountains, she loved living near the water.
“We had a wonderful 51 years. That was most memorable, and having a daughter. That too was quite a day,” Dot says.
She says she was a wife and mother most of the time.
“In my time, very few women worked. It was more the homemaker. There’s plenty to do at home if it’s done right,” Dot says. “If you can accomplish it and do it in a nice way, I think it’s an honor. I went to business school, but there was nothing I really cared about. Not many jobs like today were offered in my time. … My ending years, I’m here at The Arbors.”
She also is a supportive parent and grandparent. Dot had a hand in raising her grandsons and great-grandchildren, never missing sporting events or musical forays. She’s looking forward to an upcoming grandchild’s wedding in May.
“I’ve had a very grateful life … I don’t overlook it. Whatever time is left, I’ve enjoyed all I’ve had given to me,” she says. “I think anything in life – overall – it’s a gift. I will close with this quote … I told Karen I want it on my tombstone … ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is the present and this is our gift.’”
Call The Arbors home
Our residents love to call The Arbors Independent Living home. Visit vahs.com/thearbors to learn more about our community and schedule a tour.
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