Since 2018, Erin Shvetzoff Hennessey has served as CEO of Health Dimensions Group® — a Minneapolis-based management and consulting company focused on senior living, post-acute, and long-term care, in addition to hospitals and health systems nationwide.
With expertise in management and operations, Shvetzoff Hennessey is also a certified gerontologist. This Hot Seat interview sheds light on some of her personal and professional inspirations, as well as her roots in the industry including her very first job, and why she’d like to be President of the United States — if given the chance.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Night owl.
What is your personal mantra?
Keep your eye on the prize.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
I wish I could fly so I can be everywhere I want to be quickly.
It’s 7 am on a Saturday. Where are you right now?
Sleeping. I love slow Saturday mornings.
What is your favorite weekend activity?
Anything with my husband Kevin and daughter Grace (9), especially skiing in the winter.
What inspires you?
Professionally, knowing each day we serve thousands of seniors and have the opportunity to make their lives better. Personally, I want to be even one tiny bit better each day.
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, who would it be and why?
Any politics aside, I imagine sitting in the seat of the President of the United States would be fascinating.
What is your go-to breakfast?
Iced tea. I don’t eat in the morning but I start every day with a pure leaf unsweetened black iced tea. It’s my go to because of the caffeine and the cold drink jump start to a day!
What was your first music concert? When was it?
Alabama in 1993 at the American Health Care Association Meeting in Nashville! Yes, I was in elementary school at my first AHCA event.
What’s your favorite destination worldwide?
The Bahamas is my happy place. I love the beaches, the culture and the hospitality.
What’s the emoji you use most often?
The crying laughing face, which someone told me is “not cool anymore” per Gen Z.
What was your first job and what was your biggest on-the-job lesson from that experience?
My first job was as a dietary aide in an assisted living and I learned how much we can love our residents. I will never forget my (first of many!) favorite resident, Bernice.
If you could change one thing about the skilled nursing payment landscape, what would it be?
Ensure sustainable Medicaid funding for the most vulnerable people we serve, those that are both elderly and without resources.
What is your most important people management principle?
All work has dignity and value.
Who is your greatest career inspiration?
I worked for my dad for many years and his love of seniors and making an impact on their lives taught me a lot about personal mission and I want to carry on that legacy.
What would you say to someone who said working in health care is boring?
Come join us for a day. I think the variety of jobs that we do, the pace we move at and the relationships we have would surprise many. There is nothing boring about a diverse group people coming together for a shared purpose!
What’s one thing all skilled nursing professionals can to do to improve the patient experience?
Staffing makes this hard but try to slow down for just a moment to just be with our residents- offer a listening ear, share a laugh, offer a hand or a hug, and just take time for the small things that make our residents’ (and likely teams’) days.
If you were recruiting someone to join the industry for the first time, what are three words you would use to describe the skilled nursing industry?
Compassionate, nimble and vibrant.