Erin Baledge, Directing of Nursing and Anastasia Key, Administrator lead Summit Health and Living.
By: JENNY CORBETT, Editor, jcorbett@cherryroad.com
Summit Health and Living, and Essential Senior Living Community is under the leadership of two young, energetic, and passionate young ladies filling the rolls of Administrator and Director of Nursing (DON).
Anastasia Key RN, BSN, joined Summit Health and Living in October of 2019 as the DON under the Administration of Jenni Flowers. In August of 2022, Key began her six months Administrator in Training (AIT) program under Flowers. Completing the training in January 2023, Key was ready to step into the Previous to joining the Summit Health and Living family, Key served at Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine. Originally from Russiaville, Key moved back to the Alexandria area to be closer to family. The opportunity to serve the community at Summit Health and Living allowed her to make the move.
On April 17, Key took over as the Administrator, leaving the DON position open.
After serving at Community Hospital for seven years in the Labor and Delivery unit, Erin Baledge, was approached by Key’s husband about the open position at Summit. Baledge, born and raised in Alexandria, joined Summit as DON in April to work alongside Key. “It was a big leap of faith,” Baledge said, “I went from one spectrum of life to the other. These people have lived long lives and have stories to tell.”
With family ties deep for both of the young women, they are excited to be caring for people and families they are familiar with. “We are caring for our own,” Key said.
Penny Stevens, Business Development Director for Essential Senior Living, said, “We are thrilled as a company to have young, vibrant, home-grown leadership.
Both RN, BSN, and the duo can been seen on the floor working directly with the residents when needed. The residents are familiar with Key and Baledge and see or interact with them on a daily basis.
Stevens explained that following the COVID 19 pandemic, Summit has strived to continue to grow its intimate, family oriented service for residents and families of the community. “COVID brought us together because we had to work through it,” she said.
Key and Baledge plan to continue to work together to grow the census at the facility, reach out to healthcare communities in the surrounding areas, and maintain the longevity of employees at the facility. They also plan to maintain the five star rating the facility has received for several years.
Summit Health and Living is a 34 bed facility that offers not only long term care, but short term rehabilitation. Currently the facility is operating at approximately 26 beds with the number continuing to raise post pandemic.
Key and Baledge recognize the longevity of the employees as one of the many assets the facility has to offer. They plan to continue to take care of the staff. “We are one of them, either of us will jump in and do anything that needs to be done. Our message to the staff is that we all matter,” Key said.
Baledge said the employee longevity was a big reason she made the move to Summit. Key said she made the change because of the organizations leadership. “The organizational leadership, including Beth Harpe, are leaders with servants hearts. They are instrumental in drawing young people to serve the older population,” Key said.
Baledge went on to say, “The leadership makes ethical decisions; I really appreciate that. And, the residents, this is their home, we are here for them, they are top priority.”
Key and Baledge both expressed their excitement to work in the intimate, positive environment and are excited to working and leading together; and providing fun, passionate and young leadership.
Click here to read the article from The Alexandria Times-Tribune.