The Residence at Presque Isle Bay Dining Experience Director Amber Leonheart (right) discusses the menu with cook Thomas Kysor.
Dining Experience Director prioritizes resident-centered meals; culture of communication, teamwork and care
ERIE, Pa. — Amber Leonheart brings more than 20 years of experience to her role as Dining Experience Director at The Residence at Presque Isle Bay. She also believes in the time-tested adage that the customer – or in this case, the resident – is always right.
“My approach is that if the residents say they want it, we find a way to get it,” Leonheart said of the senior living community’s menu items. “When it comes to the residents and what they prefer for food, ‘No,’ is never the answer. I like to get a feel for what the residents like.”
Years in the business have taught Leonheart the importance of communication in the kitchen and throughout the dining room.
“I’m a big fan of dining committee meetings and making sure those are held on a regular basis,” Leonheart said. “You’ll see me in the kitchen and on the floor quite a bit. I’m not an office person. I think communication with the residents is the biggest thing.”
Leonheart was born and raised in Erie, with her childhood home only a few miles away from The Residence at Presque Isle Bay. A hometown fixture, she and her husband Mephif, who have been married 40 years, have three children and eight grandchildren.
“Amber is a great addition to our team,” said Nathan Maietta, Executive Operations Officer at The Residence at Presque Isle Bay. “She managed a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Communities) with more than 300 residents for many years before joining our team. She was responsible for all of the kitchens on multiple campuses.
“But of even greater significance, Amber is a great leader, an excellent communicator and she puts the needs of the residents first.”
It didn’t take Leonheart much time to discover what types of food the residents prefer.
“These are meat and potatoes folks. One of their favorite meals is meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn,” Leonheart said. “They like having lots of sweets, and we will have the opportunity to make some of those in house rather than order in. Being a part of a smaller community makes that possible.”
Nutritious and healthy items are prioritized on Leonheart’s menu. But she understands the importance of making those healthy options more appealing.
“We’re moving away from canned items and to fresh items,” Leonheart said. “That’s something we can bring to the table. We can make sure healthy snacks and nutritious food is available to the residents. But you really have to go to their preferences. If the food still is on the plate, a nutritious meal is not helping them. I’m all about providing nutritious foods but making sure the food is consumed.”
Leonheart appreciates all the support she has received during her transition into the DED role. She learned first-hand about IntegraCare’s 3-Dimensional Focus, a culture of care and well-being that improves the lives of team members, residents and their families.
“The best thing I’ve learned about IntegraCare is they’re all about support,” Leonheart said. “I’m finding the departments support each other. I have Mary from Colonial Courtyard at Tyrone here. She is walking me through programs. She’s a great resource.
“Collaborating with other Dining Experience Directors is one of the most valuable aspects of the IntegraCare program,” she said. “I don’t have to reinvent the wheel — someone has faced the same challenges before, and IntegraCare fosters a culture of sharing solutions and knowledge. In my 20-plus years in the industry, I’ve rarely encountered this level of teamwork and support. It truly sets IntegraCare apart, and I deeply appreciate it.”
For more information, Linsley Wybiral, Community Relations Director, The Residence at Presque Isle Bay, at lwybiral@integracare.com or call 814.455.1630.