APA News

Luda Gikhman
Director, Russian Jewish Cultural Center
Jewish Family Service of the Cincinnati Area

Luda’s story begins in the former Soviet Union where she was an educator. She met, fell in love, married and had a family with a Jewish man. As a result, Luda experienced discrimination due to anti-Semitism and was unable to advance in her career.  In the late 80’s/early 90’s the Soviet Union allowed those identifying as Jewish to immigrate to the United States. Luda’s family arrived in the United States with no housing, no jobs and little if any English skills. Jewish Family Service of the Cincinnati Area stepped in and provided what Luda’s family needed to resettle and be successful here in the United States.

Luda then paid it forward by coming to work for Jewish Family Service and helped other families from the former Soviet Union resettle here. As an educator, she taught citizenship and English to these families and provide care management to navigate the public and private benefit systems here in the US. Luda also became a professor of Russian language at the University of Cincinnati.

In 2017, Luda created, designed and successfully launched the Russian Jewish Cultural Center. Its purpose was to provide a culturally responsive place to gather for older adults from the counties of the former Soviet Union including Russia and Ukraine. The center borrows from the concepts of senior centers and adult day care service centers but the focus is on American, Russian and Jewish culture.

When it opened, the center served 50 clients and today it serves over 200. Almost half are age 80 and over. Luda partners with the Mayerson Jewish Community Center on transportation and lunch.

During COVID Luda switched quickly and successfully to virtual programming much of which continues today. They are back two days a week at the center in person and field trips to the symphony, ballet, area parks and movies have resumed.

One client named Mila says, “The Russian Jewish Cultural Center is like a home, it gives me life”. 

In 2022, Luda stepped up to help those fleeing the war in Ukraine, the country of her origin, to be able to be in the Cincinnati area often with family or friends. Each person/family’s situation is unique and the multitude of public and private systems to navigate through to be here legally is overwhelming and complicated.

Luda has done so much to help older adults in the Cincinnati area. She loves her county and is thankful to be able to do so while celebrating the culture of her birth.  

Shannon Braun
Director, Center for Memory Support & Inclusion
Episcopal Retirement Services

Shannon is the ultimate collaborator, and has made it her mission to make Cincinnati more dementia-inclusive. Despite starting her newly formed role right as the COVID pandemic broke, Shannon never gave up on her vision to educate the masses about dementia.  

She routinely is offering education about effective ways to support individuals with dementia; including but not limited to educating Cincinnati police department, church leaders, museum docents, local musicians, movement instructors, healthcare providers, etc. Because of her previous role as the Early Stage Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association, Shannon has a special soft spot for individuals in the early stages of their dementia journey. As a result, she has built several social engagement programs, specifically intended for individuals that are still very capable yet navigating a new dementia diagnosis. She has partnered with UC’s Memory Disorders Clinic & the Alzheimer’s Association to offer quarterly early-stage support groups for caregivers and their loved ones with a new dementia diagnosis.  

As if that wasn’t enough, Shannon has teamed up with a local ballroom dance instructor to offer “Dancing to Remember” ballroom dancing classes for those navigating a dementia journey. She is also collaborating with the local museums (Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, & Taft Museum) to offer “With Art in Mind” a monthly museum tour specifically designed for individuals with dementia.  

It is clear that connection is of great importance to Shannon, ensuring individuals still feel connected despite their diagnosis. And the icing on the cake is that Shannon & ERS have obtained grant funding so these programs/services are all offered free of charge. Cincinnati is beyond blessed to have Shannon Braun in its corner!

One of the more recent additions to the APA board is Lisa Legters. When she joined the board, Lisa hit the ground running. She is currently the APA Events Chair, putting together all of the APA Networking Events and so much more. Here's a little more about Lisa.

Tell us about your what you do and how you help the community.

I have been the Program Director for Creative Aging Cincinnati since the fall of 2015. We are a small nonprofit organization that pairs members such as retirement communities, nursing homes, adult day programs and senior centers with artists who provide educational, wellness and arts programs to older adults. What I love most about my job is working with a diverse group of professionals in the field and some very interesting artists. By matching the right musician, speaker, or wellness instructor to the customer, we are positively impacting the lives of seniors. In my early career, I was an Activity Director in both an adult day program and later a retirement community, so I bring those experiences into my current role. It has been a rewarding job.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go money no object?

I would love to travel to Paris, France or Rome and see the Vatican one day.

Tell us about yourself and family.

My husband Jeff and I have been married for 25 years and have four children – Nick and Daniel are both at UC, Jennifer is a senior at Lakota East and our youngest, Chris is a freshman. We live in West Chester. Our family has traveled nearly every summer to support Jeff as part of the barbershop international contest – we all love to watch him perform.

Nick and Chris have both taken part in marching band – which has also been a lot of fun. The kids talked us into getting a cat in the fall of 2019, and now I am Piper’s “person”.  I like to joke that she is my administrative assistant, as I work from home and she likes to walk across my laptop!!  I also have been a catechist at our church, teaching second graders. This has been a lovely ministry.  I love to cook, bake, read and am an avid walker.

What was the last book you read?

I am in a book club that started more than 45 years ago. I joined with a dear friend before my daughter, now almost 18, was born. I love these women in the group, and we read some pretty awesome books. The last one was “The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot”. So good!!  I loved the author’s writing and honesty – and the relationship between the two characters. And if audiobooks count, I technically am listening to the podcast “The Catechism in a Year” with Fr. Mike Schmitz.  It is inspirational and complex book for sure.

Anything else you would like to share?

I am looking forward to a great year of networking with others in the Association for Professionals in Aging.  

Your Family is our Family!

CareCore Health is family owned and operated. We provide individualized care for our valued community and patients we serve. Excellent care is provided for those in need of rehabilitation services, as well as long-term care and specialty healthcare needs. Missy Fisher is CareCore's Regional Director of Business Development and has over 30 years experience in the healthcare field.

With nine locations throughout Ohio, CareCore  goes above and beyond to make the patient experience exceptional with a serving mission. We’re proud to serve the Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Lima, Chillicothe, and Cleveland areas with nine locations: CareCore at Montgomery, CareCore at Lakeridge, CareCore at Meadows, Garden Park, CareCore at Mary Scott, CareCore at Lima, CareCore at Westmoreland, CareCore at Willowood and our newest family member, CareCore at Mentor.

There are so may exciting things happening in the CareCore family within the Ohio healthcare arena that will improve patient service and meet the healthcare needs. Total renovation of some of our facilities to provide up-to-date environments and service. In-house dialysis, non-invasive vent units, actual vent units, suboxone and methadone treatment with programming partnerships, secured dementia units. Behavior units are being enhanced, developed, and increased across the state as well.

Our dedicated team provides quality, personal, and comprehensive care for you and your loved ones. CareCore Health, Your Family is Our Family!

The winter edition of our quarterly newsletter is now available!

Catch up on upcoming APA events, as well as announcements and articles submitted by your fellow APA members.  

Click on the image to read the newsletter. 

If you would like to submit an article for consideration for future quarterly newsletters, or let us know of any newsworthy events, contact Mary Mendel at Mary@familybridges.com or Rob Jutze at rjutze@seniorimpact.com.

It's kind of silly to title this entry "Meet Tracey Collins," because Tracey is one of the most visible advocates for seniors in our community. The long-time former CEO of Cincinnati Area Senior Services has recently embarked on a new phase of her career. Beginning in January, she will be the president-elect of the APA Board of Trustees. Here is a little more about Tracey.

Tell us what you do and how you help the community.

I have worked in the nonprofit space for 38 years. For the past 22 years, I was the CEO of Cincinnati Area Services until the organization merged with Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

My plan has always been to step down from a leadership role to return to my social work roots and passion of working directly with seniors. My second act career begins now with WellBe Senior Medical as their Master Social Worker. I am excited about their philosophy of bringing medical services to seniors with compassion and care. This fits my philosophy and values for a service delivery model overall better care. 

Tell us about your work career?

I started my career by working as a child protective investigator in Kentucky. I worked with Children and Families for 16 years before I began working in the aging community. I became a caregiver for my grandmother and my passion for advocacy began at that point. The system seemed too difficult to navigate. I love to hear the stories the seniors tell. If I can make their experience easier or a caregiver's experience easier, then I have done my job. 

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

To be honest, I am a homebody. We recently moved by the lake and love spending days out on the lake. My husband and I have decided when we travel  we would like to get in an RV and travel the backroads, stop and explore the shops, and mom and pop restaurants. 

Tell us a little more about you.

My husband and I live in Liberty, Indiana near Brookville Lake with our two dogs. I have two grown children and two grandchildren, ages five and 18 months – they call me Gigi. Our home is the family lake house where everyone gathers for all events and that is my passion. I like to entertain and host events. I read, garden and enjoy spending days on the lake in the summer. 

What is your go-to restaurant?

My husband and I love to cook together, and we live in the middle of nowhere so we really don't have a lot of choices. I do love all things Mexican. 

What do you love about the APA?

This is my second time on the Board and my favorite things are the networking and the relationships I have made over the years.

What would you do if you were not working?

I would spend more time with friends, hang out with my grandchildren, volunteer, and of course, spend lazy days on the lake. 

Seasons, located in the heart of Kenwood, has been serving Cincinnati area seniors since 1987.

Senior Director of Sales and Marketing, Elizabeth Bangel-Stehlin, has been involved with the community since it opened. Her grandmother was among the first residents to move in, as well the FIRST marriage performed at the community. Elizabeth has been employed by the CCRC since 2014.

With more than 100 of their staff members working here for at least five years, Seasons is able to provide expert care to all the residents living in Independent and Assisted Living, and those coming for Skilled Nursing and Rehab. The community provides extensive programming for all levels of care, and under the guidance of new Culinary Director, Chef Eli Stull, have incorporated themed and seasonal meals to the already extensive menu.

The Assisted Living of Seasons boasts seven levels of care with nurses on staff 24/7.  Seasons also is part of the Medicaid Waiver program, ensuring that the residents who have lived at the community for a designated number of years always have a home here, should they run out of funds.

In addition to residential living, Seasons has an on-site private duty division run by Director of Resident Services, Tricia Feitlinger. This additional care, such as medication reminders and companion care services, allows for members of the Seasons community to remain in their apartment longer and more successfully than they would without the support of these valued employees.

Seasons is a Platinum sponsor of the APA. Seasons is also proud to host the annual APA Awards Luncheon, scheduled for March, 2023!

Current APA (and Board) member Tiffany Santos is with Otterbein Senior Life, where she is a Healthcare Navigator. Here is a little more about Tiffany.

Tell us about what you do and how you help the community.
I am the Healthcare Navigator for Otterbein SeniorLife. We offer skilled and long-term care in a unique small house setting. We have locations in Springboro, Middletown, Lebanon, Maineville, Loveland, and Union Township. My role is to work with the hospitals and the community to help navigate all referrals. I love to be able to market our small house concept and educate providers and families on a different type of skilled nursing facility.

Tell us about your work career. How long have you been involved? What brought you into this work? What do you love most?
I have worked in SNF’s for the last 5 years. I have always had an interest in health care, but hate the sight of blood and am a fainter. I searched for many years for my path and a way to assist and actually fell into a role in a SNF admissions role and the passion grew from that day forward. Over the years I was able to advance from an internal role to an external marketing role and love to be able to educate the community on what Otterbein has to offer. 

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
I would love to visit the Maldives.

Tell us about yourself and family.
I am originally from The Plains, OH and moved to Cincinnati in 2012. I have been married to my husband Shane for 7 years, I am a bonus mom to his 3 wonderful daughters ages 20, 17, and 12 and also a fur-mama to a 13 year old mutt and 4 year old English bulldog.  Our 12 year old plays travel softball, so most of my time is spent at the ball park,  I also enjoy working out and have a guilty pleasure of watching any reality TV show. 

What is your go-to restaurant?
Pretty much any pizza place will satisfy me.

What do I enjoy about being a member of APA?
I love the connections it has allowed me to make, and to know I am surrounded by amazing people who all share the same passions it just a great feeling.  

What do I do when I am not working?
If I am not working you will find me at the gym or softball fields, or I will more than likely be relaxing on my couch!! 

Our second quarterly newsletter is hot off the presses!

Catch up on events happening this fall, as well as announcements and articles submitted by your fellow
APA members.  

Click on the image to read the full newsletter.

The New Year edition in will be sent in January. If you want to submit an article for consideration or let us know of any newsworthy events, contact Mary Mendel at Mary@familybridges.com or Rob Jutze at rjutze@seniorimpact.com.

Majestic Care of Cedar Village is proud to be a Platinum Level Sponsor of the Association for Professionals in Aging. Mindy Ellis is the Director of Marketing and more than 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, devoting the last seven years to our beloved seniors in the community.

In addition, she has founded numerous organizations and boards such as the Visionary of Voices and Impact 100. To Mindy, her job is not just a job, it's her passion. Many years ago, she found herself navigating a search for a senior living community for her parents and now finds her joy by guiding and supporting families through their own transition. 

"Cedar Village’s focus is not only on enriching the lives of those we are honored to care for, but also on fulfillment of each Care Team member," said Mindy. "It is the heart and dedication of these Care Team members that creates the Majestic difference."

The community is established in providing unique features for each service line. Together, we develop a personalized treatment plan for each resident to help reclaim or maintain independence. We provide compassion, understanding, and respect in a warm and secure environment.

As part of the Majestic Difference, we are committed to providing person-centered care to residents, families, and Care Team Members. We feel privileged to provide care to our residents and are thankful to be a part of our journey.

If you or someone you know could benefit from living in a senior community, please reach out to Mindy Ellis at 513-635-2847.