Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2024 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 1 to Aug. 13. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Whether it’s managing day-to-day duties or overseeing large, complex projects, Heather Turner can handle anything that is thrown her way, according to colleagues.
Turner is the executive director of Timber Ridge at Talus, a senior living community near Seattle. She is responsible for all operational functions at the community, including finances, human resources, marketing, community life, security and risk management. Her colleagues said that she truly can do it all.
As a result of Turner’s leadership, her nominator said, Timber Ridge has achieved 96% occupancy, with 100% active units in its independent living area. Staff members turnover has decreased by 20%, thanks to new bonus structures and a positive work culture that fosters active engagement from employees, colleagues said. And Timber Ridge recently earned a gold certification from the LCS Heartfelt Connections memory care program for its third year in a row.
She is an innovator, too. Turner recently introduced a home care pilot program that allows Timber Ridge residents to receive care in smaller increments at a lower hourly rate. Initial feedback from residents and family members has been overwhelmingly positive, and the program turned a profit in just two months.
Turner takes every opportunity to engage with peers to improve the senior living industry. She was elected to the LeadingAge Washington board of directors in 2023, and is an active member of its nursing home and life plan community cabinets. She also mentors fellow administrators in development programs, and is constantly working to nurture the next generation of senior living leaders.
More about Turner:
- Turner earned her Master of Healthcare Administration degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
- She participates in EverSafe 360°, an LCS safety program designed for both senior living staff members and residents.
- While working in Connecticut, Turner safely led her community through two hurricanes.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. Healthcare Services Group was the Platinum sponsor of this year’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum. PointClickCare was the Gold sponsor, and PharMerica was the Silver sponsor. Other sponsors included Curana Health, DirecTV for Business, Easyshifts, Hireology, Reliant Rehabilitation, ShiftKey and Sentrics.
Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2024 and previous years.
