Emily Smith began her new position as Admissions Assistant at GHRC on July 13, 2015. She raves about her new job, saying, “I love how dynamic this business is! I love interacting with the residents and their families, listening to their stories, and helping them with their concerns.”

In her new role, Emily’s responsibilities are vast. She is in constant contact with the local hospital case workers, discussing patients who will be ready for discharge soon. She looks over referrals for potential new admissions, ensuring that they are appropriate for the services we provide, and that we can provide the best possible care for them.

This energetic young woman is determined to make a good first impression, as she is often the first person from our company that new families meet. She handles the admissions contracts and answers all of the initial questions
and concerns. She is involved in the new team-based assessments, along with the social worker, business office manager, nursing supervisor, and therapy director.

While a student at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Emily was inspired by one of her professors, who had previously worked as a nursing home administrator in Florida. She told interesting stories of the
residents and families she had dealt with, and of the huge demand for long-term care. Already interested in health care and business, Emily said, “I looked at how successful she had been, how young she still was, and I was hooked!”

She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Administration in 2014. During the time Emily was going to school, she completed a 320-hour internship at Falcon’s Landing Military Retirement Community in Potomac Falls, Virginia. Upon her graduation she was hired as a Resident Services Assistant, where she assisted in making
calendars and scheduling outings for the residents.

After a while Emily opted to focus on getting her administrator’s license. While she studied for the test, she worked for her father’s company in Manassas. Of course, she passed the test with flying colors! She knows that she needs to gain much experience before she can move up the ladder. Right now she is happy to be soaking up all that she can in her Admissions Assistant role here at GHRC!  As a lover of all things related to water, such as boating, water skiing, fishing, swimming, and eating seafood, Emily hopes to be running her own building in Florida someday.

Emily and her boyfriend, Nick, met while going to school at JMU. He earned a degree in biology and has plans to go back to school to work on a degree in biodefense. They have been together for two years now and have much in common.

This smart, attractive, 23-year old outdoors woman has a bright future ahead of her. Gainesville Health and Rehab is happy that she choose this center to begin her journey of serving, learning, and growing!

Welcome to the family, Emily!
By Lynnette Esse, Activity Director