Ep. 4 – Empowering Futures: How The Hillcrest Foundation Supports Healthcare Education in Knoxville
About This Episode
Join Doug Bryant In this episode of Certify It as he welcomes back Lavonda Cantrell, Vice President of the Hillcrest Foundation. Lavonda discusses the Hillcrest Foundation’s impact on Knoxville’s healthcare community, its mission to support education, and efforts in providing opportunities for Knox County. Listen as they also highlight inspiring success stories and the recent fundraising efforts of the Hillcrest Foundation.
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in supporting education efforts in Knox County by giving to The Hillcrest Foundation here.
Learn More About The Mason Center for Healthcare Education.
Subscribe to Certify It on YouTube.
Transcription
Intro
You’re listening to Certify It the podcast for advancing your career in care. Powered by the Mason Center for Healthcare Education. Hear news updates and discussions from thought leaders in healthcare around advancing your career through continuing education. Now, here’s your host, Doug Bryant from the Mason Center.
Doug 00:17
Welcome to Certify It the podcast for advancing your career in care. My name is Doug Bryant, and I will be your host today. This podcast is brought to you by the Mason Center for Healthcare Education right here in Knoxville, Tennessee. Today, my guest is one of my favorite people in the entire world. I have to do full disclosure. I’m completely biased when I tell you she is one of my favorite people in the entire world. Lavonda Cantrell, the vice president of the Hillcrest Foundation. And I don’t just say that because they help fund us. I’m just saying that because if you ever met her, you would know. Oh, I feel great. She is. So thank you, Lavonda, for joining us today again. This is your second time on the podcast. So we may have to do, like, frequent flier jackets like they do on The Voice or something.
Lavonda 01:01
Yes they should. And I know that this is. I know that you’re the host, but I can’t help but to ask you. Like we haven’t spoken in a few months. How are you feeling? Like this is so exciting. The Mason Center is doing so great. The students are just coming through, it’s just expanding. And I’m just so happy for you and your teams.
Doug 01:22
Well thank you. This week has been one of those crazy ones. We had a Medication Aide class start this week. We have a CNA class running concurrently with that, and we have about ten students in some general education classes, for one of our partners. So, yeah, today, if you hear anything in the background, some of the students are still in the classrooms right now as we’re recording this. So it’s been kind of crazy in a good way. It’s actually taken off more than we ever could imagine. Barry came in the other day and he’s like, “What is going on? There’s no parking in the parking lot.” So that was a good thing.
Lavonda 01:59
And you’re like, “We’ll take the blame for that. Yeah, we’ll take the blame for that.”
Doug 02:03
I said, “That just means I’m doing what we’re supposed to do.”
Lavonda 02:05
Exactly. The mission and vision is coming to life.
Doug 02:08
So today we wanted to really focus on the foundation itself. and tell us a little bit about how the foundation was formed. What is it for and where this passion came from to give back to the community?
Lavonda 02:23
Well, Doug, and you know this, but those listening to us were local to Knoxville, so I feel like it’s very important. And for us to talk about that, we’re really in touch with what the needs are in our local community. especially when it comes to the workforce and educational opportunities surrounding care. We have a very supportive board of directors that is also very focused on the community needs and giving back, and that’s why we do what we do.
I mean, we’ve been serving Knoxville, Hillcrest Healthcare has, for over 60 years, and we specialize in serving seniors. And we realize that it is so important for us to focus on serving the needs of others and providing great educational opportunities and just giving back to make a difference every single day in the lives of others. And that’s what we specialize in, and that’s what we do best, I think.
Doug 03:24
Well, I know that in a previous episode, we talked a little bit about how the Mason Center for Healthcare Education was founded and how this happened, but we really didn’t go into detail about how the foundation ended up being a part of that. And it really all started with Chloe. Yes. So do you want to tell that story a little bit about how Chloe was able to really help us figure this out?
Lavonda 03:47
Yes, absolutely. I’ll never forget this opportunity because Chloe Hurst was the first scholarship that we funded through the foundation since I’ve been the vice president. And so it was just an amazing day. Chloe worked as an activity assistant at our island home community. She’d been there for many years. She was an outstanding employee. The administrator, Trudie, contacted us about giving her an opportunity to get her a license through Covid.
She realized how important that was. She did not feel like that. She had the skills that she needed during Covid to really be able to get in there and do more hands-on work with the residents. So she just had a passion for it. And so the foundation was able to support her financially, provide scholarships, to her. And she got her CNA license through that in the end. as all a part of that, you know, discussions with you and Barry Davis, our president, that’s really how the Mason Center was born. I mean, that’s what we should be all about, right? Is giving our own employees opportunities. I mean, I think about that all the time.
We are here because someone gave us an opportunity, right? Yeah. I mean, that’s what it’s all about. So, that’s really how it happened. And now the most awesome thing is she. Chloe is still working as a senior at Allen Home years later, and she’s going back to school through a partnership that we have with South College to get her LPN license. So it’s just a full circle, amazing story of how you can really, really impact someone’s life when you give them a pathway and guidance and believe in them and encourage them. So, it’s wonderful.
Doug 05:34
Yeah. She truly is the epitome of the phrase that we use around here a lot. Continuing your career in care. Yeah, she’s climbing the ladder of responsibility. Yes, in healthcare. And just being a small part of that is exciting to watch. One one thing that I get so excited about when we talk about the Mason Center and what sets us apart and how we’re different, is all of our instructors have senior care experience. All the certifications we have can be used in any healthcare setting. so we’re not just, you know, pigeonholing ourselves into that senior care world, but that’s where our passion is.
But one thing that we really try to do is not just teach the skills, but cultivate the passion that they come in to class with for caring for other people, especially those in the senior community, because those are the people like the Chloe’s of the world, that will continue to be here serving even when times get really tough, even when you know you have one of those days that you’re like, why in the world am I doing this? If you don’t have that passion and you don’t have somebody there to help cultivate that and really cheer you on through that process. It’s hard to continue making it. And, you know, here at the Mason Center for Healthcare Education, one thing that I really pride ourselves on is we’re not teaching just skills. We’re teaching culture. We’re teaching the culture of senior care and why it matters.
Lavonda 07:04
Yes. Teaching them, the future servants in healthcare. The future of our seniors. I mean, it’s just wonderful. And you’re right. It’s so important. Culture is everything.
Doug 07:17
So how have you seen the need for caregivers change over the last couple of years through Covid? And how do you think the Mason Center for Healthcare Education can support that?
Lavonda 07:27
Well, we were directly impacted, you know, in our three skilled nursing communities when Covid hit, a lot of our long term seniors meant retiring early out of fear of the unknown. even during that time, as we know, if those that stayed with us, it was just trying times. I mean, they were dealing with not only are you dealing with an unknown disease, but you’re dealing with all of this pressure from the state and government and new standards and just scary, scary time.
So we really saw a mass exodus of, you know, healthcare workers and specifically when it comes to caregivers. And so, again, that’s really where the Mason Center came in. And, realized that, hey, this is something that is directly impacting our community. It’s directly impacting our three skilled nursing communities, is directly impacting our local hospitals, our home healthcare agencies, hospice agencies, everyone is impacted.
And so, again, we stepped up and created programs that were accessible for individuals, affordable for individuals and flexible. And it’s just been I mean, it’s a huge testament to the programs that are offered through the Mason Center. And, that just makes me proud thinking about it honestly.
Mid-Roll
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Doug 09:12
Well, and now that the Tennessee Higher Education Commission authorization has come through, we’re able to not just do that for our own employees, but we’re able to actually spread that into the community. Yes, through healthcare partners. We’ve got a number of them that will have students starting in January, hopefully, and we’re able to actually educate other organizations. Yes. through the Mason Center.
Lavonda 09:38
And I love that because, you know, what’s happening with all of that is a vision that started with, you know, Hillcrest and the senior leadership team. And the Mason Center was born. And now we’re actually getting to share that, you know, grow your own, give your own employees opportunities. That’s what we’re doing that’s working for us. You know, we’re passing on our culture. Technically, what we have built at Hillcrest, and through the Mason Center. And we’re expanding that. So it’s great.
Doug 10:11
It’s been a real joy to work on. And it just keeps getting better every single day. So the Mason Center for Healthcare Education is just one aspect of what the Hillcrest Foundation does. And we’re just off the heels of your biggest fundraiser of the year. The golf tournament that was held at Avalon. So how are you feeling now that that’s over?
Lavonda 10:31
I still don’t know, Doug. I’m still climbing out of that. No, no, no, no, I feel great. We still, you know, everyone’s like, oh, how much should you raise? And I mean, if for those that plan big fundraising events like. And it was our fifth annual. So like you said, it was the best we’d ever had. Record number of golfers. Just super amazing. And I’m so thankful for the support. But I’m like, we’re still trying to figure out exactly what the totals are, but I should have them within a few days. But yeah, it feels great. I mean, again, just knowing that so many people are behind you and supporting you, and believe in what we’re doing here as an organization, it’s just you can’t help but to feel great about it. I mean, it’s just, you know, we are doing good things.
Doug 11:37
Yeah. Well, speaking of golf, did you see what I did there? There was a golf cart at Avalon that, you know, we were able to unveil that one of our other partners, Functional Pathways, had a hand in helping us get for a program that the foundation really unveiled that day at the golf tournament called Mobility is Medicine. Yes, yes. So tell us a little bit about Mobility is Medicine and how that’s going to be really a big initiative going forward for the foundation.
Lavonda 11:45
Yes, that’s and that’s really, you know, honestly, Doug, just the past five years, you know, the foundation just historically, I’ll come back, pedal for a second. The foundation had been in retirement for, you know, greater than ten years. And so when we rebuilt the foundation, that’s when Covid hit. But our first event was the golf tournament. And so we’ve really been for the past few years hosting our three main events that we do each year, which is the golf tournament, the Knox Trucks benefit concert, and breakfast with the grant, which is coming up soon too. so I’m working on that. But we are really focused on being very intentional with our campaigns and our efforts.
And so the Mobility is Medicine is really our very first big campaign that we’re going to be focusing on, really starting at the end of this year, and hopefully indefinitely because the whole idea behind that is that mobility can mean a lot of things. You know, we think about mobility is walking around or, running or, you know, even using a wheelchair to get around. But the mobility is so much more. And mobility, yes it is. It has the healthcare aspect, but it also has the emotional aspect to, you know, Mobility is Medicine means that through this campaign, we want to help support individuals by, first of all, maybe gaining access to getting to their physician’s office. Maybe it’s getting to the grocery store, maybe it’s going to the local senior center to play bingo because they are no longer able to drive and they don’t have a means of transportation. For and going back to the golf cart. This is amazing. And just this morning, as a matter of fact, we had a golf cart training, so, through with Functional Pathways and the proceeds from the golf tournament, we were able to purchase a wheelchair accessible golf cart. which the Beverly Park team and the Functional Pathways therapy team at Beverly Park saw this morning for the first time.
And this golf cart is going to help the residents at Beverly Park gain access to Knoxville’s only intergenerational play space. That it’s amazing. And so that’s just an example of how this Mobility is Medicine, a small example, but a big impact in a lot of lives. And so we’re so excited they’re going to be able to use the golf cart to get residents down for therapy services. The therapists were so excited about that. Activities will use it for, again, their activities and emotional well-being and just the whole intergenerational piece of it, seeing the children play and the whole reason that the playground was designed was to help encourage and promote all people of all generations and all abilities to be able to interact and work together.
And so it’s just a beautiful thing. and I’m, I’m excited and I’m even more excited because Mobility is Medicine. We’re just like I said, we’re scraping the surface of what this campaign is going to be and what all is going to be included in that. And so it’s going to really make a big impact in a lot of people’s lives. So I’m thrilled about where we’re headed with that.
Doug 15:13
Well, and in order for us to continue making impacts like we did with Chloe, like we’re trying to do with, the seniors at Beverly Park getting them access to the intergenerational play space. It takes funds to do that. Yes. it takes a lot of funds. And hopefully this podcast will be coming out in November, which is automatically the month where everybody thinks about Thanksgiving and gratitude. And, you know, there’s probably a lot of our listeners that thankfully don’t need the services that a lot of our guests or that Hillcrest provides, and a way of being thankful for that is to give so that these impacts can continue to be made. Yes. and Thanksgiving, a lot of people think of Turkey and Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And what deal is Amazon going to have? But there’s another day that we really want to draw attention to, especially for the foundation. And that’s Giving Tuesday.
Lavonda 16:04
Yes, giving Tuesday I’m gonna make sure I don’t say the date wrong. I wrote it down December the 3rd is Giving Tuesday and this is really a global generosity day and movement. It’s like you just said, it’s surrounding Thanksgiving and the holidays, and people just want to give back and help support great initiatives that they believe in. And so, and it’s so funny what you said early because I wrote down on my paper earlier in the giving we receive.
And that’s so true. So we encourage everyone to get online. If you look up the Hillcrest Healthcare Foundation through, giving Tuesday, you can support us in that way. And we would love to have everyone’s support and every dollar matters. And so that’s what we want people to know too, is that, you know, there’s no amount too small. And, so just, you know, give what you can and just know that we welcome every bit of it.
Doug 16:58
So and for those people that want activity around, they’re giving, we also have your last, I guess, fundraiser of the calendar year coming up. Breakfast with the Grinch. The year number three.
Lavonda 17:09
Oh my goodness, Doug. It is Saturday, December the 14th at Piney Grove Church in their family community center. It is phenomenal. It’s for all ages. So even if you don’t have children, it’s okay. I had family members drive from Kingsport to join us, and they don’t have children. It’s okay. Who doesn’t love the Grinch? We have Two Coaches catering this year, and that’s also going to be cooking a green tea breakfast with pancakes and sausage and, the famous hash brown casserole that is to die for. but it’s just a fun day. Lots of crafts. And the Grinch himself is phenomenal. Like, it’s like he’s stepped out of the movie. I’ve never seen anything like it. one of our team members, Lena Hamm, she’s been with us for many years. She’s the staff development coordinator at Beverly Park. She is a phenomenal makeup artist, and it takes over 2.5 hours to get his makeup on. Oh, wow. I mean, seriously, so I won’t. I’m just telling you, for anybody that likes the Grinch, you need to join us. Tickets are only $20, and it’s just amazing. You get pictures and crafts and food and fun and yeah, it’s worth every every bit of it.
Doug 18:23
And limited availability. So anybody that wants to get tickets needs to go quickly.
Lavonda 18:29
Yes. To go on Facebook. Yes. Please get on our Facebook page. We’ve created an event there and you have to have a reservation. It is reservation only. You have to purchase a ticket.
Doug 18:39
So we will put all of the foundation websites and ways that can be given online in the show notes. So that people have access to that. Thank you so much for spending time with me this afternoon.
Lavonda 18:52
Thank you. Doug.
Doug 18:53
Usually we’re in a conference room somewhere talking about planning or the next thing, but this is so much more fun.
Lavonda 18:59
It is.
Doug 19:00
Maybe every meeting should just be a podcast.
Lavonda 19:02
Maybe it should.
Doug 19:04
Thank you very much for coming. You all have been listening to Certify It the podcast for advancing your career and care. Thank you and have a happy holiday.
Outro 19:12
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Certify It by the Mason Center for Healthcare Education. Get connected with us on social media and at themasoncenterknox.com. If you haven’t yet, subscribe to this podcast on YouTube and anywhere you get your podcast. And if you’re interested in sponsorship or donations to help further our cause of providing affordable, flexible healthcare certification programs for individuals seeking career mobility in skilled nursing, senior living, and long term care fields. Visit themasoncenterknox.com.