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Contact: Rodney Foushee
Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator
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Transylvania Community Hospital Appoints New KOALA Manager
BREVARD, N.C., Aug. 23, 2007—Transylvania Community Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Anderson as the manager of the KOALA Adult Day Care/ Day Health Center on the hospital campus in Brevard.
Anderson has eight years of experience in the skilled nursing arena and most recently served as the marketing director for the Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation facility in Hendersonville. He has also worked at the Brian Center in Brevard.
“We are delighted to have Robert on board,” said Val Smith, director of Elder Care Services at Transylvania Community Hospital. “He has a solid background working with the aging population and has some excellent ideas to enhance and broaden the services offered at the KOALA Center.”
The hospital officially took over operations of the KOALA (Keeping Older Adults Living Abundantly) Center on July 1 in conjunction with the retirement of its founding director, Barbara Voorhes, who served more than 15 years with KOALA.
“I get really excited about offering a service that can keep loved ones together and provide caregivers an opportunity to care for themselves as well,” Anderson said. “Our adult day services provide a safe environment for clients to come and also provide a break for their caregivers to take care of the business of life.”
Prior to moving to Western North Carolina in 1999, Anderson worked as a graphic artist and remodeled old homes in Tampa, Fla., where he grew up. He holds a degree in fine arts and plans to incorporate creativity and art into the activities at the KOALA Center.
“I want to focus on a very creative activities program where clients have a choice,” Anderson said. “We are now interviewing our clients on admission so that we can understand their unique backgrounds and personal interests to tap into what they are interested in. We are working to redefine the program to meet the needs of the individuals and give them real choices. We really have the opportunity to give our clients a program where they can enjoy themselves and continue to learn.”
Despite being acquired by the hospital, the KOALA program is still mostly funded by grants and private donations. “It is in everyone’s best interest to continue to provide support for adult day services to keep people out of nursing homes and provide a respite for caregivers,” Anderson said.
The KOALA Center has a trained medical staff including a registered nurse and a fulltime healthcare coordinator, Pat Osteen, who is a licensed practical nurse. The center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Most clients are at least 60, but the program is open to younger adults as well. For more information about KOALA, call 884-2980.
About Transylvania Community Hospital
Transylvania Community Hospital is a nationally ranked 5-Star Hospital and a leading provider of quality healthcare services in Transylvania and surrounding counties. Based in Brevard, N.C., it is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1933 and is the largest employer in Transylvania County.