Dawn Deeb Email & Phone Number

How I managed to rack up DECADES of experience working with all demographics is beyond me but, here we are. *Hospitality - I spent a significant amount of my early career in the hospitality industry. My favorite experiences include “opening” three Midwest riverboat casinos, catering the Popcorn Ball in Valparaiso, Indiana, and working 1:1 with event organizers to give them the best possible experience. I have met some amazing people through this industry and continue to approach life as a grand event.*Healthcare - When I became a single mom, I found the hours of the hospitality industry difficult to navigate. So, I transitioned to healthcare. This actually was my dream as a child. I was able to put my love of medical terminology to work while growing my understanding of social services and how to apply them to a geriatric population. I ultimately became responsible for the census of two LTC/SNF communities in central Illinois and a pediatric facility in Chicago. This experience lead me to a two year hiatus from working in healthcare to studying healthcare in an academic setting.*Parks & Recreation - A happy accident! My contacts made from sponsoring senior programming at a local park district provided me an opportunity to use my skill set acquired during my hospitality phase. I was able to learn all about organizing golf events while also learning the inner workings of an entire park district. Then I put it all together and eventually found myself the executive director of a small, rural park district based in my hometown. It was a full circle moment. *All of these experiences combined to lead me to the position of Executive Director of a newly constructed 50 apartment assisted living complex. I began the position before the complex was fully constructed. I navigated the process of meeting all requirements new construction had to meet with IDPH, OSHA, and the local health department. Less than 24 hours after the grand opening celebration, the town of Washington was devastated by a tornado. I would spend the next 3 weeks operating an emergency shelter without a playbook. It was life changing. *And now, somehow, I am entering my 4th school year as a junior high special education paraprofessional. It is a job I never imagined doing. I began the journey into education November 2019. I guarantee my time in healthcare prepared me for my job in education. I would have never survived the COVID years in education without having first survived long term care/skilled nursing, home health and assisted living. I am now looking for my next great adventure.

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  Illinois Central College

  Dean’S List