Jennings Receives State Silver Employer of Choice Designation for Workforce Excellence

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Jennings team receives state award from LeadingAge Ohio.

Jennings is proud to announce that we have received a Silver Employer of Choice designation through the 2019-2020 LeadingAge Ohio Employer of Choice Initiative. Jennings was one of only 23 organizations statewide within LeadingAge Ohio’s 400+ members to receive a prestigious Employer of Choice designation. The Jennings team was formally recognized August 27, 2019 at the LeadingAge Ohio Annual Conference and Trade Show.

“Through LeadingAge Ohio’s Employer of Choice program, members can demonstrate that they strive not just to be residences or providers of choice, but to be employers of choice as well,” said LeadingAge Ohio President & CEO Kathryn Brod. “The Employer of Choice designation recognizes our members that are making strides to distinguish their organizations from competitors on metrics related to employee satisfaction, staffing-related outcomes, and other measures of workplace excellence.”

Jennings employs 520 staff members in Northeast Ohio and provides adult day services, assisted living, independent living, affordable senior housing, long-term nursing care, short-term skilled rehabilitation, home care, hospice and intergenerational child care services to more than 1,500 individuals. Rooted in Catholic values, Jennings celebrates and nurtures individuals as they age, through exceptional choices and continuous innovation. Sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit, Jennings has been providing faith-based care and services for seniors throughout Northeast Ohio since 1942 and now has locations in Garfield Heights, Brecksville, Chardon, and Shaker Heights.

“We are honored to be recognized with this prestigious award,” said Denise Smudla, Chief Human Resources Officer. “It is a true testament to the dedication and commitment of the leadership and all staff members throughout the organization. We truly have the best staff in the world, and we strive every day to ensure that they know it. We cannot thank them enough.”

Jennings was recognized in part because the organization systematically creates ongoing effectiveness in organizational leadership through habits, policies and practices that build trust in leadership. Criteria also included encouraging workforce engagement, emphasize transparency in operations, communicate effectively with the organization and individuals within it, and ensure leadership continuity and stability. “We serve as a training site for local academic organizations and other area professionals,” explained Mrs. Smudla. “We host visitors wishing to replicate design features, equipment choices, safe movement programs, and workforce development models. We create and promote programs that encourage our staff to grow personally and professionally at Jennings.”

For more information on LeadingAge Ohio’s Employer of Choice program, please visit https://www.leadingageohio.org/aws/LAO/pt/sp/employee_recognition.

Founded in 1937, LeadingAge Ohio is a nonprofit organization that represents over 400 long-term care organizations and hospices, as well as those providing ancillary health care and housing services, in more than 150 Ohio towns and cities. The continuum of care reflected by the member organizations serve an estimated 400,000 elderly Ohioans daily and employ more than 35,000 persons statewide.