Enlivant Employee Receives Hero Award For Helping Seniors During Hurricane Harvey
CHICAGO, May 16, 2018 – Lisa Thomas, Life Enrichment Coordinator at Enlivant’s Sabine Place in Orange, Texas is a recipient of the prestigious Argentum 2018 Hero Award. Thomas is one of just three Heroes nationwide being recognized by Argentum for exceptional excellence, caring and dedication to serving seniors.
She earned the recognition for her relentless and compassionate assistance to residents of Sabine Place after they were displaced by rising floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey in August of 2017. Hurricane Harvey is tied with Hurricane Katrina as the costliest tropical cyclone on record.
Thomas, originally trapped in her own home by the storm’s record damaging floodwaters, quickly met up with Sabine Place’s residents at their first temporary housing solution as soon as the roads were cleared. She immediately began selflessly working 12- and 24-hour days, freeing her colleagues to attend to their own families and homes. To keep residents’ spirits up and health maintained, she also secured donations of clothing, basic personal items and even hot, home-cooked meals.
Repairs to Sabine Place would take nearly five months and Thomas consistently pulled in groups across the region to provide entertainment as well as provide important personal care like haircuts and styling. While staying at Enlivant sister community Rose Place, which was in need of its own life enrichment coordinator, Thomas took on double duty organizing events and activities for both communities.
“Lisa was with our residents virtually every day during the entire four-plus months they were displaced, putting them and their needs ahead of her own home’s challenges during this catastrophe,” said Doug Veazey, Enlivant’s Senior Vice President for the East Division. “She represents everything Enlivant strives for in how we care for our ‘family’ and we couldn’t be more pleased to see the spotlight fall on her and her actions.”
“Lisa is a true hero and a perfect example of someone who goes above and beyond the normal call of duty to care for our residents,” said Enlivant Chief Executive Officer Jack R. Callison, Jr. “We are so pleased Lisa’s getting this much deserved recognition and I’m glad she’s a part of our Enlivant family.”
This is the fourth consecutive year an employee of Enlivant has risen to the top among the tens of thousands of the country’s senior living professionals.
“We are pleased to present this award and express our deepest appreciation to Lisa for her outstanding effort and compassionate service,” said James Balda, Argentum president & CEO. “Lisa and all the 2018 Argentum Heroes are exceptional role models for those serving across the industry and have shown the impact of working to make a difference in the lives of residents, staff, and families.”
About Enlivant
With a proud 30-plus year history as pioneers in the assisted living industry, Enlivant and its subsidiaries operate several hundred senior living communities across 19 states. The company currently employs almost 5,000 dedicated caregivers and support employees across the country. At Enlivant, we are in the business of enriching lives through meaningful relationships and vibrant communities. Our employees are incredibly passionate about their individual role as part of a larger organization that places a premium on culture and values teamwork in pursuit of our new Mission, Vision and Values – all under the new Enlivant brand name. Sound "different"? That's because we are. For more information, please visit www.Enlivant.com.
About Argentum
Argentum, formerly the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally-managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the seniors and families they serve. Since 1990, Argentum has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all seniors. Argentum’s programs promote business and operational excellence through education, research, publications, professional networking and online tools designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurism in the field of senior living. Visit Argentum’s website at https://www.argentum.org.