Sanford Health Sylvan Court in Canby, Minnesota, is a rural long-term care center that’s always bustling with activity, and administrator Jason Anderson likes it that way for a few reasons.
“I really love doing intergenerational work with residents and school systems,” Anderson said, “so I’ve been trying for six years to bring young people into our building.”
On a recent spring day, several students from St. Peter’s Catholic School gathered for a lead arts and crafts hour.
“We’re working with the residents to make flowers,” said sixth-grader Maleah Shubert.
Marea’s class visits monthly and field trips are one of her favorites.
“I love seeing them and making them happy,” Maleah said of the residents, some of whom don’t have family nearby.
Social habits seem to benefit everyone involved.
“It’s really fulfilling for both parties,” said Vicki Birchatz, a recreational therapist at Sanford Health. “We try to include everyone in everything we do.”
Resident Edna Northem honored the visitors with a few tunes on her accordion, an unconventional instrument she has been playing for 72 years.
“It’s great to see them all. They grow up so fast,” Northem said.
Anderson added that the children “seem to be very comfortable. They talk and converse with the residents as if they were their grandparents.”
That familiarity could lead to potential employees down the line.
“We hope they will become CNAs or choose a career in long-term care or assisted living,” Anderson said.
“Be active in the community”
Connecting business and the community has always been a top priority for Anderson, and it’s also the motto of the local Chamber of Commerce, of which he serves as president.
“Jason’s really active in the community,” says Lori Sisk, CEO of Sanford Canby Medical Center. “He’s active in his church. He’s also the president of the chamber of commerce. Years ago, the chamber of commerce in Canby was struggling, and he got involved and has done a really great job promoting the community.”
Peggy Sik, a longtime social worker, said Anderson was “a pillar of the community, and that’s what this facility benefits from. A lot of people remember him as a physical therapist,” she added.
A native of North Dakota, Anderson began working as a physical therapist in 2006. Fascinated by leadership, she earned her Master’s in Healthcare Administration in 2014.
“I’ve always wanted to go into health care administration. Leadership was important to me in college and high school,” Anderson said.
Although he still works as a physiotherapist from time to time, his focus is on the residents he cares for and the staff doing their best to make them feel at home.
“He has a resident-first mentality,” Sisk said, “and he always really cares about the residents, and then the staff and the residents’ families.”
“Oh, he’s just Superman,” resident Myrtle Osmond said. “He’s always so kind.”
National Everforward Administrator Champion
The supportive environment Anderson creates at Canby has led to him being recognized as a National Ever Forward Administrator Champion by the Good Samaritan Society.
“I was surprised to receive this award, but it was truly an honor,” said Anderson, who will report to Samford University and association leaders. “I try to be a humble leader, so it was this big surprise and a little hard to hear those words, because that’s not like me. I want to give credit to the rest of my team.”
“This isn’t just about me. I have a great team. I’ve had great opportunities at Sanford and Good Sam.”
Brittany Antheau, Sylvan Court’s Director of Nursing, recently came off maternity leave to share a bit about one of her mentors.
“I can honestly say that without his guidance and support for long-term care, I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today,” says Antheu, who has been DON for two years.
“I’m so grateful for the team I have here.”
Schick has worked at Sanford Health for 45 years and has no plans to retire anytime soon.
“I feel very committed to the organization, but also to Jason as a leader. Our team is very close,” Sik says. “We all look out for each other.”
“I can’t imagine the facility without him. I cry easily, but he really makes me fall in love.”
The longtime social worker points to Anderson’s proactive management tactics: He’s not one to sit in an office, but is constantly walking the hallways and interacting with residents and staff.
“You have to be comfortable with each other to bring up different conversations that might be difficult, and if you have a connected team or family, that really helps,” Anderson says.
“A rewarding career”
Anderson, who serves as the district representative for LeadingAge Minnesota, is also known for his expertise on elder care issues.
“He’s always one step ahead of what’s next and what the trends are,” says Joy Bracke, Sanford Canby’s manager of therapy and rehabilitation. “What do we need to bring here? If something great is happening somewhere else, why can’t we do it here?”
“Jason is a living example of always moving forward and always looking ahead, so he is very deserving of this award.”
We drive innovation and progress while empowering our residents to live active and purposeful lives.
“It’s a challenging job. You can’t just sit in an office all day,” Anderson said. “You have to interact with the staff. You have to interact with the residents, because when something bad happens, that’s what totally turns it around.”
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Awards and Recognition, Featured in Canby, Sanford Story, Senior Services