Annie works for Episcopal Retirement Services, Inc., as the Director of Case Management, servicing the needs for the Marjorie P. Lee and Dupree communities. Her job involves managing all skilled and custodial admissions, goals of care, insurance certifications, discharge planning and care transitions once patients discharge from the community to their home. It is a multi-faceted role, never a dull moment and very diverse each and every day which is what she loves.
Annie grew up in a large Irish Catholic family in the Chicagoland area and it was the expectation that you get a part-time job at the age of 15. Her mom's friend was an administrator of a nursing home and offered her a job as a nurses' aide and the rest is history. She graduated from Rush University in Chicago and has been a nurse for 36 years. She has worked in Med Surgery, in Acute Rehab for head and spine patients, a consultant to the industry for workers comp reemployment, an executive recruiter for healthcare execs, and for the past nine years as the Director of Case Management at Episcopal Retirement Services, Inc.
COVID had an impact on a scheduled trip she and her husband had planned to Ireland this past fall with her siblings and their spouses, but plans are to reschedule to 2022. As a lover of Italian red wines, Annie also dreams of a vacation traveling through the Italian countryside from the Italian Alps down through Tuscany sampling the wine, food and culture of this beautiful country.
Many people that Annie knows inspire her in life every single day and there are too many to even try to pick one or a few. But, in her job, she is blessed to have a vocation that inspires her and allows her to feel a sense of purpose and true meaning. She loves helping people and making a difference. She empowers elders to know that they have a powerful voice and the ability to make choices about their treatment goals and future. She values working for an organization that promotes person centered choices and enables the staff to be creative in assisting seniors to achieve their goals.
Annie and her husband, Bill, live in West Chester. They have 8 adult kids (1 in LA, 3 in Chicago, 1 in DC and 3 in Cincinnati). Two of her daughters are married, but no grandbabies yet (hint, hint) BUT, she has 4 grand dogs! Bill and Annie love to travel locally and in nearby states camping in their Teardrop Trailer. They plan to expand their travels in the US and Canada in their future retirement. She loves to make new friends so reach out to her any time! And, if you want to join her on the APA Membership/ Sponsorship Committee, drop her a line. We know she would appreciate your participation. We are very lucky to have Annie Novak as a member of APA and a member of the APA board.
