August 11, 2020

Episode 1:5 Sharon McCartney Shares Mirabella Portland's Winning Formula for Resident Satisfaction

26 minutes

Sharon stands out as one of the youngest Executive Directors in senior living, and one of few women in a lead role. Learn how Mirabella leverages technology and addresses residents’ mind, body and soul through lasting connections and a customized approach.

About Sharon

Sharon McCartney is skilled in management, elder care, healthcare management and marketing strategy. She is currently Executive Director of Mirabella Portland, operated by Pacific Retirement Services. At the age of 25, she took over as Healthcare Administrator of Mirabella Portland, overseeing skilled nursing, memory care, and long-term assisted living. In 2016, Sharon was promoted to Executive Director, overseeing the overall operations of the continuing care retirement community (CCRC).

Sharon has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University. . Her career trajectory in senior living began 13 years ago, through a college human resources internship in a senior living community, then completing an administrator and training program to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. She credits her success to amazing mentors who coached her on developing the necessary leadership and management qualities.

Key Takeaways:

New technologies more efficiently connect residents and staff, which improves customer service. Now nurses have iPhones that can take pictures of wounds and measure the wounds for them and input into the system.

Mirabella Portland has a focus on bringing the outside in. In addition to a “rain or shine” community garden. Professional gardeners help with flower arranging or gardening activities. Memory care has in in-house gardening box with UV light that allows residents who can't get outside.

Kitchen rooftop gardens with seasonal vegetables and herbs are incorporated into the dining program. Residents tending the gardens feel a sense of accomplishment and sense of being part of something bigger.

A dining committee of Mirabella Portland residents was formed to oversee the sourcing of sustainable and local produce, meat and fish. All food is cooked-to-order in-house.

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By Nancy Griffin