Russell Stack, campus executive director at Country Meadows of Leader Heights in South York, was named Administrator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA). This award recognizes Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Residence administrators who have demonstrated outstanding leadership through their dedication to their staff, the residents and families they serve, as well as the personal care and assisted living industry.
Country Meadows Campus Executive Director, Russell Stack, receives the Administrator of the Year award at the PALA Conference. In this photo he poses with PALA board member Julie Alakson.
“What a surprise it was!” says Stack, comparing the honor to a sports team coach. “They receive too much of the blame when things are rough and too much credit when things are going well. With that analogy, I share the credit with our entire team as they are all equally responsible for my receiving this award!”
“We at Country Meadows are thrilled to see Russ receive this well-deserved honor,” says Country Meadows President & CEO, Meredith Mills. “He is a thoughtful, seasoned and kind leader who focuses on quality of life for the residents he serves as well as his fellow co-workers.”
Stack chose a career in senior living because he wanted to enter a field where he could make a positive impact on the lives of his neighbors and society as a whole. He has learned a lot from working with older adults. “Simply making a person happy, even if for only a moment during the day, is rewarding,” he says. “I love being able to create and implement new polices that ensure happier, healthier residents on our campus.”
Stack’s accomplishments at Country Meadows are numerous. He recently helped develop a management training program for the organization that focuses on providing managers, new and tenured, a refresher on management techniques, leadership, performance management and how to develop their own unique leadership style. He is helping train new managers across the entire company.
“The senior living industry is changing rapidly to meet the changing needs and desires of current and upcoming resident populations,” says Stack. “We need to continue to be flexible and open to learning.”
Stack was nominated for this honor by his team of co-workers who write, “Russ knows every co-worker and every one of our 229 residents by name! He strives to develop his teams to understand the importance of quality care and holds them to very high standards. He empowers his management team by providing trust and space to do their jobs, but he is always there to give support and guidance when needed.”
Stack concludes with a reminder that this award is larger than one man, and the honor goes to his entire team. “Receiving this award tells me that there are many good hearted, hardworking co-workers doing all they can—the right way—to improve the lives of each one of our residents, and that feels great!”