Ascension Living

08/25/2026

🩺 Clinical Leadership in Action: Setting the Course for FY2027

Our Clinical Support Team recently came together during our Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) meeting to focus on the FY2027 Clinical Strategic Plan—and, most importantly, how we translate our priorities into meaningful action across our skilled nursing communities.

The meeting was an opportunity to align around our clinical priorities, strengthen collaboration, and focus on ex*****on that will continue advancing quality, resident outcomes, clinical excellence, and support for our facility teams. 🎯

We were also pleased to welcome our Regional Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) partner from Ambulatory Care. Their partnership brought valuable perspective to our discussions and reinforced the importance of collaboration across the continuum of care. 🤝

As we look toward FY2027, our focus remains clear:

✨ Align our people
✨ Execute our strategy
✨ Measure our impact
✨ Continue raising the bar for the residents and communities we have the privilege to serve

One team. One strategy. One commitment to clinical excellence. 💙

08/17/2026

🎉 New Senior Director of Operations 🎉

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Kristen Felker into the role of Senior Director of Operations! 👏

Kristen has done an amazing job leading her teams to success across multiple states during her tenure at Ascension Living. ⭐ In her new role, Kristen will report directly to Chief Operating Officer Dana Runager.

Please join us in congratulating Kristen on this well-deserved promotion and exciting new chapter! 🎊

08/14/2026

🎉 A huge congratulations to the incredible teams at Via Christi Village Ridge and Via Christi Village McLean in Wichita, Kansas, for reaching an outstanding milestone: 100% occupancy!

Via Christi Village Ridge reached 100% occupancy in both Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living, while Via Christi Village McLean reached 100% occupancy in Skilled Nursing.

This achievement reflects the trust families place in our communities, the dedication of our associates, and our commitment to creating meaningful experiences and enriching the lives of those we are privileged to serve.

Thank you to both teams for the passion and dedication you bring each day. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved milestone with you! 👏

08/12/2026

🪨 Small Acts of Kindness “ROCK”! 🎨❤️

Sometimes, the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference.

At Lakeshore at Siena in Racine, Wisconsin, our talented residents put their creativity, time, and heart into painting these beautiful kindness rocks — each one carrying a cheerful design, encouraging message, or simple reminder to smile. ☀️🫶

Together, their creations have become a colorful Kindness Rock Garden with a wonderful invitation:

“Take one. Share one. Leave one. Make someone smile today!”

This beautiful display is a direct result of the hard work and talent of our amazing residents. More than a garden, it’s a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone’s day and help bring a community together. ❤️

And a special shoutout to our two wonderful volunteers, who carefully placed every single rock and helped bring the residents’ vision to life! 🎨🪨

Here’s to spreading a little more kindness — one rock, one smile, and one small act at a time. 💕

08/11/2026

🌟 The Ascension Living Sales Team has spoken… and the Force is officially with us! 🌟

This year’s team mascot and theme: The Ascension Living Jedis! ⚔️✨

A huge thank you to Dana Runager, Chief Operating Officer, and Justin Smith, Director of National Sales, for continuing to bring fun, laughter, and positive energy into our communities and across our teams.

The Force is strong with this duo — but it’s even stronger across our incredible Ascension Living Sales Teams! 💪

Like these lightsabers, we’re ready to slash through goals, exceed expectations, and raise the bar this year — all while staying focused on what matters most: enriching the lives of the residents we serve and the associates who make it all possible. ❤️

May the Force be with us as we make this a year to remember! 🚀

07/31/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Leslie Eldridge, Senior Director of Senior Housing Operations, and Kelsey Burnham, Program Director of Life Enrichment and Memory Support, on earning their Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer® (CADDCT) certifications through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP)!

As Certified Dementia Practitioners and now certified trainers, Dr. Eldridge and Kelsey will help expand dementia education across Ascension Living, strengthening our teams and enhancing the compassionate, high-quality care we provide to residents and their families.

Their leadership supports the continued evolution of the Ascension Living Memory Support Model and reinforces our commitment to excellence in memory care.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Eldridge and Kelsey on this outstanding achievement!

07/17/2026

We're proud to share that Kelsey Burnham, Program Director, Life Enrichment & Memory Support at Ascension Living, has been selected to present at the 2026 International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida.

Kelsey will be co-presenting Ascension Living's DICE Approach initiative alongside Dr. Helen Kales, world-renowned geriatric psychiatrist, co-founder of the DICE Approach, and internationally recognized leader in dementia care. Dr. Kales has been an invaluable partner in helping bring the DICE Approach to Ascension Living communities, supporting our commitment to person-centered, non-pharmacological strategies that enhance quality of life for older adults living with dementia.

Together, Kelsey and Dr. Kales will share practical insights and real-world outcomes from implementing the DICE Approach across Ascension Living, demonstrating how innovative, evidence-informed practices are transforming memory support and empowering care teams.

The ICAA Conference & Expo, taking place November 17–19, 2026, brings together professionals from across the aging services industry to explore innovative approaches to health, wellness, and active aging. We're honored to have Kelsey representing Ascension Living and sharing the meaningful work happening across our communities.

Congratulations to Kelsey on this well-deserved opportunity, and thank you to Dr. Kales for her continued collaboration and leadership in advancing dementia care.

Learn more and register: http://ascn.io/6184BEdnzY

07/16/2026

🍽️ Every meal is more than a dining experience - it’s an opportunity to create connection, encourage independence, and enrich daily life. ❤️

At Ascension Living, we’re reimagining dining by focusing on what matters most: our residents’ preferences, choices, and the moments that bring joy and meaning to each day.

As Gila Singer, Consumer Experience Program Manager, shares, thoughtfully designed and personalized dining experiences can positively impact residents’ health, engagement, and overall well-being.

🤝 Through innovation and a resident-centered approach, we’re creating more opportunities for residents to enjoy exceptional meals while making meaningful choices that reflect who they are and how they want to live.

📖 Read more: http://ascn.io/6180BEZGUA

When dining experiences are thoughtfully designed around our residents’ needs and preferences, we see greater satisfaction, stronger independence and a deeper sense of community.

07/09/2026

"To be able to give this man something back that he had lost — or I don't even know that he ever had — with a toy that some kid didn’t need anymore? If I could spend $1.25 on every resident and make that kind of difference in their lives, I would." — Wendy Owens, Executive Director, Ascension Living Valley Residence

Sometimes, the smallest gestures create the biggest moments.

This heartwarming story is a beautiful reminder that person-centered care isn't always about grand gestures. Sometimes it's about truly seeing someone, listening to what matters, and finding a simple way to make them smile.

Read the inspiring story of Duke the Dog: http://ascn.io/6187BEKOuX

Ascension Living, based in St. Louis and part of Ascension, is a mission-driven senior living provider deeply connected to our Catholic faith that cares for the physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being of all individuals we serve. Our Mission calls us to provide spiritually centered, holist...

07/07/2026

🍝 Learning is always on the menu at Ascension Living!

At Casa Scalabrini Village in Northlake, Illinois, residents enjoy a monthly Teaching Kitchen with Chef Giacomo and his team. Each month they explore a different cuisine, watch a live cooking demonstration, and then enjoy tasting the featured dish together. 👨‍🍳🌎

This month, everyone took a delicious trip to Italy! 🇮🇹 From learning about Italian traditions to sharing a great meal, it was a fun afternoon filled with learning, laughter, and connection.

At Ascension Living, we believe life is meant to be lived to the fullest. Through engaging experiences like Teaching Kitchen, residents continue learning, making new memories, and enjoying every day. ❤️