SURPRISE, ARIZ. – Feb. 20, 2013 – Sun Health Senior Living, a nationally recognized operator of three retirement communities and two care centers in Arizona, appointed Barbara Foster executive director of The Colonnade, an active adult life care community located in Surprise. 

Foster, who comes to Sun Health from Macon, Ga., brings more than 25 years of industry experience to the role. She has worked with an array of continuing care retirement communities across the country serving in varied leadership capacities, including vice president of operations, executive director and regional operations manager. Included among her many leadership duties was responsibility for opening new CCRCs, running large-scale care centers, and maintaining operational responsibility for upwards of 1,000 residents in a single community.

 “When I met the team at Sun Health and saw its goals to impart healthy living options for their residents as well as seniors in the surrounding area via community health programs and forward-thinking strategic initiatives, I was hooked,” Foster said. “I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself that impacted seniors in a positive way. I feel Sun Health fulfills that need and will for many years to come.”

Foster’s extensive experience opening new communities has prepared her well to lead The Colonnade, which is poised for continued growth this summer with the opening of a new 36-unit condo-style complex known as The Colonnade Villas.

As executive director of The Colonnade, Foster is responsible for leading, administering and directing virtually all aspects of community operations, ranging from budget oversight, staff management and regulatory compliance, to serving as a liaison between the community and local hospitals, care centers and senior assistance agencies. 

“The people at Sun Health think big, act in positive ways and look past the here and now to move today’s seniors beyond the status quo of aging and into a future of health and wellness so they can live longer, healthier lives,” she commented. “My goals as executive director at The Colonnade include ensuring open communication between  the residents, staff and myself; keeping the community financially stable and growing; and most importantly, maintaining resident satisfaction by creating exciting opportunities to preserve and propel their physical, intellectual, spiritual and social health and well-being.”

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Foster is a licensed nursing home administrator, professional counselor, certified assisted living manager and senior human resources specialist. She earned
 

a dual bachelor’s degree in psychology and social work, and completed her master’s degree coursework in family counseling at the University of Akron.

“Barbara’s track record for successfully opening and growing senior living communities aligns with our strategic growth initiatives,” said Sharon Grambow, chief operating officer for Sun Health Senior Living. “Add to that a positive and personable attitude and a true desire to work in the field, and she’s the perfect fit for The Colonnade.”

To best serve residents, The Colonnade is a Masterpiece Living® community subscribing to a philosophy of retirement living and life care centered on four aspects of life proven to promote healthy aging—physical, social, intellectual and spiritual development. All community activities for which Foster is ultimately responsible support this progressive lifestyle approach.

About Sun Health
A long-standing community partner championing healthy living, Sun Health is a community-based health care organization providing pathways to Population Health through philanthropy, senior living, community programs and superior health care. Population Health is an approach that aims to improve the health of an entire population.

Nonprofit Sun Health has employed a variety of resources to develop healthy living programs that have the potential to enrich lives – for residents, patients, volunteers and donors. Its core service lines include:

• Philanthropy for local health care, community health programs and senior living,
• Senior living at The Colonnade (Surprise), Grandview Terrace (Sun City West) and La Loma Village (Litchfield Park), and
• Community Health Programs: Sun Health Care Transitions, Sun Health Medication Management and Sun Health Community Education.

 Learn more at www.SunHealth.org.
###