21-Member Class of 2024 Includes Four Gold Level Achievers
WARRENDALE, Pa. – Twenty-one hourly team members recently graduated from IntegraCare’s Motivational Advancement Program (MAP) in its Class-of-Mid-2024. The program selects the company’s most promising hourly team members and trains them for greater skills and leadership along with higher compensation.
“In the military, an effective unit depends heavily on the strength of its non-commissioned officers,” observes Larry Rouvelas, IntegraCare CEO. “Our most experienced hourly team members are like those non-coms. They set the example for good service to residents and respect for colleagues. The MAP program invests in our best-and-brightest hourly team members to help them grow in that role.”
The class included four Gold Level graduates who will receive a $2 per hour pay increase plus incentives worth $1,000.
“Part of being a great place to work is having continuous opportunities to grow professionally,” Rouvelas said. “Sometimes that’s by taking a new position; sometimes that’s by getting better at your existing position. MAP helps people who are good at their jobs to be great at their jobs.”
IntegraCare produces a MAP graduation class every six months, with the next group set to complete the program in February 2025. Both full- and part-time team members may participate in the Motivational Advancement Program. IntegraCare has approximately 1,000 hourly employees in its 17 senior living communities in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.
‘From Great to Stellar’
“The Motivational Advancement Program offers our team members growth within their position,” said Butch Cassiday, IntegraCare Director of Talent Acquisition and Development. “Not everyone wants to go to college, and many of our team members are very happy with their current positions within their communities. The MAP program offers them the ability to move from being a great team member to a stellar one by learning leadership qualities, taking on additional responsibilities and being empowered to do more than they thought was possible.”
MAP consists of 2-level and 3-level programs that present the opportunity for full-time staff to annually earn an additional $7,280 to $10,400, respectively, based on performance metrics. There are two training cycles per year. Part-timers with at least 20 hours a week may participate in the program and earn increased compensation at about half of what is offered to those in full-time positions.
“This program is an investment in our team members,” Cassiday said. “It provides them with the skills to excel in their position. I am very passionate about MAP because it is the true value and core of what IntegraCare is all about.”
IntegraCare implements a 3-Dimensional Focus to senior living. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for its team members, residents and their families.
‘More Than Words’
“Companies have mission statements just to have words on a wall,” Cassiday said. “At IntegraCare, we live our mission statement every day. The Motivational Advancement Program is just one of many opportunities for our Team Members to be empowered and grow with a company that continues to grow.”
Each MAP training cycle is designed to include a handful selected from each IntegraCare community. Team members may apply or be nominated by a peer or supervisor. Training cycles include one-on-one mentoring, peer support, textbooks and online instruction.
Candle Light Cove Executive Operations Officer Steven Schuyler (middle), congratulates two of the senior living community’s MAP graduates, Melinda Dennis-Wheatley, left, who earned Silver Level, and Cheryl Graham, Resident Wellness Associate, who earned Gold Level in the program.
‘A True Motivational Experience’
Candle Light Cove, an IntegraCare senior living community in Easton, Maryland, produced two Gold Level MAP graduates in the current class, Cheryl Graham, a Resident Wellness Associate, and Wynette Montgomery, a Certified Medication Technician.
“The Motivational Advancement Program made me more motivated to do my job,” Graham said. “I assist our residents as if I were taking care of a loved one at home. I treat them with love, care and respect. My MAP experience reinforced this approach for me.”
Montgomery had a similar experience. She said the program also provides a path to advancement on the team.
“The program has been a true motivational experience that allowed me to grow within my job title professionally and it made me more knowledgeable,” Montgomery said. “The program is a stepping stone to great advancements and it really pays off for the team members and the residents.”
‘Above and Beyond the Call’
Graham, Montgomery and Melina Dennis-Wheatley, a MAP Silver Level graduate in the current class, have provided an example to other team members at Candle Light Cove, according to Danielle Brummell, Resident Wellness Director.
“These three candidates are a tremendous asset to our community,” Brummell said. “These team members go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to providing resident care. All three never hesitate to train new employees when asked or even to pick up extra shifts when we are short. They all make the ‘T’ in teamwork meaningful, and MAP had a role in this approach.”
‘Career Growth Opportunities’
Newhaven Court at Clearview had six MAP graduates in the most recent class. Debra Clark, Hospitality Associate and Resident Wellness Associate, earned Gold Level.
“This MAP class further confirms that Newhaven Court at Clearview and IntegraCare are fully committed to our 3-Dimensional Focus,” said Krystle Pry, Executive Operations Officer at the senior living community in Butler, Pennsylvania. “We strive to provide career growth opportunities for our team members.
“When you can promote from within and give team members additional responsibilities, it creates buy-in and dedication among the team members,” she said. “This leads to great care and consistency for our residents and provides a peace of mind to their family members.”
The Woods at Cedar Run Lead Cuiseneur Julian Castaneda, front row on left, earned Gold Level in the IntegraCare’s Motivational Advancement Program Class of 2024. He is joined by Silver Level graduate Monique Lee on the right. Standing, from left, are Mike Vargo, Dining Experience Director, and Kimberly Thomas, Safety and Maintenance Engineer.
‘A Job Well Done’
The Woods at Cedar Run in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, had two MAP graduates. Lead Cuiseneur Julian Castaneda earned Gold Level.
“We want to celebrate anyone who goes above and beyond,” said Jenn Kipe, Executive Operations Officer at The Woods. “We all know staffing can be a challenge in all industries these days. We want to reward people for a job well done. MAP helps us recognize teamwork and team members who share the values IntegraCare stands for.
“Other employees see this and are inspired,” Kipe said. “They see this as an example and set a goal. This creates longevity in the team, and we all benefit from that.”
Meet the Graduates
IntegraCare’s Motivational Advancement Program graduates of the Class-of-Mid-2024 include:
- Bay Village – Bradley Edwards, Bronze; and Shereka Rawlings, Bronze.
- Candle Light Cove – Cheryl Graham, Gold; Wynette Montgomery, Gold; and Melinda Dennis-Wheatley, Silver.
- Colonial Courtyard at Bedford – Catherine Klages, Bronze; Brooke Martin, Bronze; Celeste Martin, Bronze.
- Exton Senior Living – Jeanne Brady, Bronze; and Millie Cedeno, Bronze.
- Magnolias of Chambersburg – Anita Shover, Silver; and Kendall Wible, Bronze.
- Newhaven Court at Clearview – Debra Clark, Gold; Crystal Felsing, Silver; Lynnae Campbell, Bronze; Malia Kennedy, Bronze; Marissa Menchyk, Bronze; and Ashely Teuteberg, Bronze.
- The Residence at Presque Isle Bay – Cheyenne Miller, Bronze.
- The Woods at Cedar Run – Julian Castaneda, Gold; and Monique Lee, Silver.
For more information, contact Butch Cassiday, IntegraCare Director of Talent Acquisition and Development, at bcassiday@integracare.com or call 724.940.5544.