Taking on the role of Director of Nursing at Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne was a homecoming for Shona Kirkpatrick who worked previously as a floor nurse and as assistant director of nursing at the community that provides independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation.
“It’s a good feeling to be in a familiar place,” says Kirkpatrick, who started her new job on Aug. 1. “There are things that have changed and things that have stayed the same. One thing that hasn’t changed is Heritage Pointe’s commitment to providing an exceptional standard of care.”
Kirkpatrick, who grew up in Fort Wayne, says she always knew that she wanted to work in the medical field but wasn’t sure what type of role she wanted until she started working in another assisted living community.
“I had a mentor there who taught me how to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA),” she recalls.
Kirkpatrick didn’t stop there, however. She went on to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), then a registered nurse (RN) and then took on management roles.
As her career progressed, Kirkpatrick discovered how much she likes working with seniors.
“The people I take care of are what I most enjoy about my job,” she says. “I love getting to know them, and they have a lot of wisdom to share.”
She prioritizes getting to know residents and interacting with them as much as she can. She’s a very visible part of the community.
“I’m not one to sit in my office,” she says. “I’m often out of the floor talking to residents or helping out my staff if they need it.”
Kirkpatrick, who had previously lived in Georgia for 20 years, says she returned to her native city to take care of her own parents as they were getting older—a role that has helped to shape the way in which she works with both residents and their family members at Heritage Pointe.
“I treat everyone as if they were my family, and I provide the level of care that I would want provided to my own parents,” she says.
As Kirkpatrick gets reacquainted with Heritage Pointe, she says she has a simple goal –to ensure the residents receive the same high level of care that the community is known for. That sterling reputation and care for residents are among the reasons why she decided to return to Heritage Pointe.
“Looking ahead, I want to maintain that exceptional level of care that Heritage Pointe has always provided,” she says.
“Shona’s journey has been inspirational,” said Rod Craft, Executive Director at Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne. “She was working here earlier in her career. We’re proud that she continued her education and broadened her experience and has returned to us in a leadership position.”
Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne
Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne is conveniently located just off Interstate 469. The senior living community is on a beautiful campus featuring scenic trails, a community garden, four lakes, a community clubhouse, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and more. Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne offers vibrant independent living in freestanding villas and apartments. Assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, and long-term skilled care are provided on the same campus, thus offering a complete continuum of care, also known as Life Plan. Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne is owned and operated by The United Methodist Memorial Home, an Indiana non-profit founded in 1907. To learn more about Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne, visit www.LifeAtHeritage.org.
