Benjamin Surmi Email & Phone Number

Olympia, Washington, Us

As each Koelsch community touches the lives of almost 1000 people - residents, families, friends, employees, employee families, neighbors, vendors, and civic leaders - intentionally teaching and modeling our culture of dignity and respect for all people is integral to our success.

Olympia, Washington, Us

Elders with neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer's have incredible gifts and the capacity for deep relationships and profound feeling. I design and implement programs to improve the lives of elders in our 20 communities.Key initiatives:- Training and mentoring 27 incredible Active Living Directors, managing lifelong learning programs at 27 centers in 8 states.- Designing the content and delivery of a new employee orientation program for 2000+ employees. - Delivering educational, inspirational presentations to elders, family members, and professionals with a focus on moving forward how we support people living with dementia in thriving. - Partnering with universities for cutting-edge research and applying academic knowledge to every day application.

Pullman/Spokane/Tri-Cities/Vancouver/Everett/Global, Washington, Us

I teach an innovative gerontology course, applying gerontological research and theory to actual industry experience.

Over the past two years, I have had the honor of helping over 120 families through the challenges of caring for a spouse, parent, or sibling with memory loss. My position focused on helping them navigate the myriad of care options and funding strategies.Now, I lead a team of 70 rock star caregivers, nurses, housekeepers, cooks, and party planners in operating a memory care community for 68 elders and their families. It's a privilege to work with people who care deeply for others.

The reason I pursued a Master's degree in Gerontology was because I wanted to be part of the movement to build better memory care communities. Key reasons I am choosing to represent the Koelsch family's communities:● Bold investment in lovely outdoor areas that are secure yet permit people with memory loss to enjoy nature with freedom.● The same family that builds and owns also operates and manages.● The culture and atmosphere is peaceful and quiet not chaotic.● Insightful investment in life enrichment through 3 full-time activity team members coordinating social engagement 7 days/week.● 24/7 onsite nurses to prevent many causes of off-site hospitalizationThe Hampton has been serving Vancouver for over a decade with a strong reputation for affordable excellence. Their newest community - The Hampton at Salmon Creek - will continue the tradition while serving the northern region of Clark County.Come see me there for a tour of memory care innovation!

Randy and Debi Kyle own and personally operate ComForcare Home Care in Vancouver. They go way beyond the norm in wowing their customers with over-the-top service. I had the privilege of working alongside them to accomplish to key goals:● Surprise seniors and their families with five-star, personal service. I streamlined the care of my clients by coordinating home health nurses, discharge planners, primary care doctors, pharmacists, guardians, and other professionals. I developed care plans with seniors and their families after sharing the benefits of our services.● Design and implement strategic initiatives in Clark County to strengthen the ComForcare reputation for excellent, dependable service among the medical community.

● Individuals and families with unique diet or lifestyle needs found culinary services unavailable even at high end grocers. We designed new menus every visit, sourced the raw ingredients, and created multiple meals for everyday eating.● Clients seeking a non-traditional caterer chose our private chef services instead for their farm wedding or other kinds of celebrations.

Nashville has many organic farms, farmer's markets, fine chefs and conscious eaters. But, practical solutions for everyday eating are in short supply. Our team pioneered a collaborative kitchen model - members support a chef in return for weekly deliveries of fresh meals with ingredients traced back to the various farms.● Conducted grassroots market research and designed services to fit.● Built brand and concept awareness through online, community and face-to-face strategies.● Increased email subscription from 0 to 650 with no online advertising dollars.● Achieved 183% of first membership target within two weeks of launching.● Sold concept to recruit organizational partners, volunteers, members, and chefs.● Expanded services to include healthy institutional meal service, consulting, and educational outreach.I especially loved mentoring our team members and volunteers, helping each person find a unique roll in fulfilling the FEAST Together mission and their own unique goals.

Outbursts of emotion that lead to violence happen routinely at hospitals, mental health campuses, and high schools. Although mandated to prepare all staff members for these situations, organizations have a wide range of choice in who trains their nurses, caregivers, and teachers.As an instructor to the men and women who will train their colleagues, I had the privilege of instructing them in the Human Empowerment (HELP) system of non-violent intervention. Through role play, lecture, discussions, and group practice, our team coached professionals in highly effective ways to prevent restraint, seclusion, injury and death.

Here I found mentoring in classic culinary arts. I finished my time at this fine establishment as the managing catering chef for Zelda’s - an upscale lunch catering division of F. Scott’s Restaurant.

Nashville, Tn, Us

The best way to engage a culturally and linguistically diverse classroom is through lively discussions, purposeful learning assignments, and original group games and activities.

Nashville, Tn, Us

A partnership between the YMCA and FiftyForward began a center that opened life enrichment opportunities for men and women fifty and better.● Developed member-driven recreational and educational programs for new center through surveys, focus groups, and several unique volunteer leadership teams.● Guided over forty-five volunteers and paid instructors in course implementation.● Facilitated computer/Internet courses and senior fitness classes.

Nashville, Tennessee, Us

● Assessed seniors' homes to determine priority projects for maintaining independence.● Planned and directed cleaning, repairing, and organizing projects to support client goals.● Coordinated team members and volunteers.● Supported other programs within the Coalition - serving at health fairs, community projects, and facilitating group exercise classes.

Fullerton, Ca, Us

Worked alongside Prof. Mary Joyce, Gianneschi Professor of Nonprofit Marketing. As an expert in her field, she consulted on marketing projects such as equipping the Red Cross to maintain blood donors even during the HIV scares of the 1980's.

Beginning as concierge for a three-story assisted living community, I interacted with elders and their adult children everyday - coordinating caregivers, doctors, bus drivers, family members, and elders. The corporate leadership team later invited me to (1) do a thorough assessment of the life enrichment programs and (2) develop the programs for a yet-to-be-opened memory care unit.

Master Of Science, Gerontology

Gerontology

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Communication And Sociology