The Future Leaders Awards program is brought to you in partnership with PointClickCare (BHB, SHN, SNN) and Homecare Homebase (HHCN, HSPN). The program is designed to recognize up-and-coming industry members who are shaping the future of behavioral health, home health, hospice and palliative care, senior housing and skilled nursing. To see this year’s Future Leaders, visit https://futureleaders.agingmedia.com/.
Truman Vereen, administrator for Principle Long Term Care, has been named a 2023 Future Leader by Skilled Nursing News.
To become a Future Leader, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who is 40-years-old or younger, a passionate worker who knows how to put vision into action, and an advocate for seniors, and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.
Vereen spoke with Skilled Nursing News about his career trajectory and what the future holds for skilled nursing, including the need for greater innovation and flexibility of the industry’s leaders.
What drew you to this industry?
My mother has worked in a nursing facility for 18 years. I grew up in the industry and have understood the importance of quality care needed for our seniors. I had the privilege to also meet some great leaders in long term care that served as mentors since I’ve been interested in the industry. Our industry needs motivated leaders to continue to improve the care our residents and seniors deserve.
What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in this industry?
The biggest lesson I have learned since working in this industry is that culture is the deciding factor in the type of care your residents receive. Having an inviting and supportive culture within your facility will allow your staff to enjoy their job and ultimately, your residents will receive great care.
If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of skilled nursing, what would it be?
I would change the regulatory environment to better support nursing homes, such as helping control the influence of nurse agencies on nursing homes.
What do you foresee as being different about the skilled nursing industry looking ahead to 2023?
I think technology and the ability to support the influence of technology in healthcare will make the skilled nursing industry different in the future.
In a word, how would you describe the future of skilled nursing?
Encouraging.
What quality must all Future Leaders possess?
All Future Leaders must possess the ability to understand what their team needs as a leader and be willing to adjust their leadership style for the sake of the team.
If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the industry, what would it be and why?
Relationships are valuable in our industry. Take care of people and they will one day take care of you!
To learn more about the Future Leaders program, visit https://futureleaders.agingmedia.com/.
