by MP Wilkerson
Nathan Calhoun, the manager of Bishop Gadsden’s Health and Wellness Center, has a big smile on his face these days. He is celebrating the Wellness Center’s recent achievement of the Best in Wellness Award from the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) and NuStep. This award recognizes North America’s top 25 senior living communities that prioritize wellness, and Bishop Gadsden ranked 16th.
According to Colin Milner, ICAA Founder and CEO, “This year’s recipients embody the future of wellness in senior living. Through their dedication and leadership, these communities and individuals are redefining aging, showing us that wellness is a continuous journey — one that energizes and enriches life past every stage”.
Nathan continues, “Wellness is not about perfection, strict rules or participating in activities that are not enjoyable; it is about acknowledging and gaining an understanding of all the dimensions of health and how it relates to one’s wellness journey. This includes the physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, environmental and social parts of one’s life. The goal is to create inclusive, vibrant communities where older adults can thrive.”
Nathan’s interest in comparing Bishop Gadsden’s wellness program with other communities stems from his visits and research of various communities and their programming. Kimberly Borts, Vice President of Mission and Communications, ensured that the selection process for the award was unbiased and was carried out by the largest senior living wellness organization in the world.
The award application included 30 open-ended questions covering program variety, facilities, innovation, and participant retention, among others. Nathan expressed pride in the creative wellness programs developed by his team and the unwavering support from leadership. Notable initiatives include the Neuro boxing class, which addresses cognitive motor delays, and the wide levels of classes offered due to the variety of certifications held by our team.
Nathan also credited Katie Jayne, Vice President of Community Life and Compliance, for her support in achieving this goal and mentioned the collaborative effort with Digital Storyteller Antonio Stinson and the Communications department to assist with photos and videos to represent Bishop Gadsden effectively. Thrilled by the recognition, Nathan and the wellness team look forward to the upcoming renovation of the Wellness Center and the opportunity for Bishop Gadsden to become the number one wellness center in North America.
