New Leadership at Phoebe
Rachel Gullet, RN, was appointed Director of Nursing for Phoebe Richland. In this position she is responsible for managing and organizing the clinical operations of the nursing department and ensuring the department’s compliance with policies and regulatory requirements. Previously she was the unit manager of the rehabilitation neighborhood at Phoebe Richland where she has been a team member for seven years. She received her Associate of Nursing from Gwynedd-Mercy University and will receive a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University in Michigan in the fall of this year.
Jim Hersh was appointed Director, Plant Operations and Facilities Management, for Chestnut Ridge at Rodale. In this position he is responsible for day-to-day management of staff and oversight of the Emmaus campus plant and facilities operations maintaining campus buildings prior to, during, and following the renovation/construction of independent living apartments and campus amenities. Hersh was the Director of Facilities Management for Rodale Inc. for 40 years.
Jill Hoderman, RN, NHA, was appointed Assistant Administrator of Phoebe Allentown. She is jointly responsible for the overall operations of the health care center as well as administration and management of the health, safety, and well-being of residents. Previously, Hoderman was the director of nursing for Phoebe Richland. She began her career at Phoebe in 1996 in the dining services department. She currently lives in Allentown with her husband and daughter.
Lisa Hoffman was appointed Executive Director of Pathstones by Phoebe. In this position she is responsible for the overall operations of the Continuing Care at Home program and oversees the development and implementation of comprehensive programs and service offerings to help members stay well and maintain their highest level of independence. Previously she was the Senior Director/Senior Vice President at LeadingAge PA. Prior to LeadingAge PA, she held positions in the finance and business offices at Phoebe in Allentown and Moravian Hall Square in Nazareth, PA. She holds a BA in Management from Allentown College of St. Francis DeSales and a MBA, with a healthcare concentration from DeSales University and is a resident of Nazareth, PA.
Lauren Kiefer, SHRM-SCP, was appointed Regional Director of Human Resources for Phoebe Ministries. In this position she is responsible for managing and organizing the human resources operations and support for the entire Phoebe organization including by not limited to employee benefits, labor relations, occupational health, talent acquisition, and employee engagement. Previously, Kiefer was the director of human resources for the Cooperative Bank in Boston, Massachusetts. A resident of Allentown, Kiefer graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management.
Kristin Melnick was appointed Director of Dining Services/Executive Chef for Phoebe Allentown Health Care Center. In this position she is responsible for overseeing all operations related to dining services in the skilled nursing and personal care communities, including the hiring and training of the culinary team. Previously she was the director of nutritional and environmental services for St. Luke’s University Health Network on the Gnaden-Huetten and Palmerton campuses. She has an associate degree in specialized technology/culinary arts from Walnut Hill College, formerly the Philadelphia Restaurant School, and has studied abroad in France and Belgium.
Faith Palermo, RN, was appointed Regional Director of Resident Assessment Services for Phoebe Ministries. In this position, she is responsible for managing and organizing the clinical operations of the MDS coordinator department at all four of Phoebe’s continuing care retirement communities. She is responsible for ensuring the department’s compliance with policies and regulatory requirements. Previously, Palermo was the director of resident assessment services, unit manager, and MDS Coordinator at Phoebe Richland.
Nancy Rucco, BSN, RN, was appointed Director of Nursing for Phoebe Wyncote. In this position she is responsible for managing and organizing the clinical operations of the nursing department and ensuring the department’s compliance with policies and regulatory requirements. Previously she was Director of Nursing at Silver Stream Center in Spring House, Pennsylvania. A resident of Bucks County, Rucco was the first profoundly deaf person to graduate from the Dixon School of Nursing at Abington Memorial Hospital.
Helen Schmell, BSN, RN, CHPN, was appointed Director of Nursing for the Phoebe Allentown Health Care Center. In this position she is responsible for managing and organizing the clinical operations of the nursing department and ensuring the department’s compliance with policies and regulatory requirements. Schmell received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cedar Crest College, and holds a certification in Hospice and Palliative. Previously she was the clinical manager for the OACIS/Palliative Medicine Program at Lehigh Valley Health Network and a risk manager for Lehigh Valley Health Network.