Spotlights on Care
Kissito Healthcare Spotlights on Care
Our employees are the reason for our success, and we value the dedication and commitment of all our employees. That is why we are introducing our “Kissito Spotlights on Care,” which highlights employees from our centers who embody our Core Values: Integrity, Passion, Excellence, and Respect (IPER).
Wendy Gilbert
Business Office Manager
Maple Grove Nursing & Rehab
Our Kissito Spotlight on Care is Wendy Gilbert, Business Office Manager for Maple Grove Nursing & Rehab. She has been with Maple Grove for 14 years. As one of the first people visitors and families see when entering the center, she treats all who enter Maple Grove with kindness and love.
Gilbert was enticed to work at Maple Grove Nursing & Rehab and Kissito Healthcare because of the atmosphere of family, love, and comfort. “I consider my co-workers more than just co-workers; they are my friends and family,” Gilbert said. “The residents have brought so much love and laughter into my life; I truly love Maple Grove and what we stand for in terms of caring for others.”
She admires her parents, Bobby & Molley Owens. She recalls that even though times were hard growing up, their family never went without. “They always taught me to rely on and trust in God, never give up and always pay it forward,” she said.
When not working, she loves spending time with her husband, Chris and three children, Alexis, Aidan, and Ashton. Gilbert enjoys reading, crocheting, scrapbooking, and traveling.
After more than 14 years with Maple Grove and Kissito Healthcare, Gilbert hopes to see continued growth, teamwork and happy interactions with their residents that include lots of laughter and fellowship.
Wendy Gilbert
Business Office Manager
Maple Grove Nursing & Rehab
"The residents have brought so much love and laughter into my life; I truly love Maple Grove and what we stand for in terms of caring for others" Gilbert said.
Koby Johnson
Administrator-In-Training (AIT)
Mulberry Creek Nursing & Rehab
“Kissito has introduced to me an organization filled with those that share similar principles and find value in service. It is my goal to affect positive change for as many people as possible and Kissito provides me the tools, resources, and platform to do just that,” Johnson said.
Koby Johnson
Administrator-In-Training (AIT)
Mulberry Creek Nursing & Rehab
Koby Johnson began his career with Kissito by completing the prerequisites needed to become a licensed nursing home administrator, which included completing his Administrator-in-Training program at Mulberry Creek Nursing in Rehab.
As an administrator, Kissito has provided the tools and resources to be effective, efficient, and proficient for my teammates, residents, and their family members.
“Our core values integrity, respect, passion, and excellence are principles that I believe are shared tenets of this community which I find valuable in all situations throughout life as a son, husband, neighbor, or friend. Professionally and personally, Kissito Healthcare champions the betterment of human life,” Johnson said.
Johnson has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Radford University and played soccer while attending the university, and still tries to play, enjoys running, and being outdoors. He has two sisters, three nieces, and a fiancé and the couple are looking forward to their wedding in November 2022
Kalie Zollman
Director of Rehabilitation Services for Kissito Healthcare
Kalie Zollman began her career in providing therapy services after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from the Virginia Polytechnic and State University (VT) (2005) and then the Jefferson College of Health Sciences (2007). As a physical therapy assistant (PTA), Zollman’s first career step was providing outpatient rehabilitation services from high school athletes to elderly patients recovering from injuries.
It was here she learned her passion was caring for the elderly and that revelation led her to a career with Kissito Healthcare. Since March of 2021, Zollman has been the Director of Rehabilitation for the Springs Nursing and Rehab Center.
She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Brandon, for 14 years. The couple have two sons, 11 and eight, and twins born in June. The family enjoys visiting historical locations, hiking and flatwater kayaking.
Kalie Zollman
Director of Rehabilitation Services for Kissito Healthcare
Springs Nursing & Rehab
“Kissito has offered the opportunity to advance and has provided great support in order for me to step into a new role. Kissito fosters a great environment for growth,” Zollman said.
Cary Sykes
Director of Culinary Services
Brian Center Fincastle
“We are a family of workers that works to provide the best of care possible for our residents. I am thankful every day for the role I have as the Director of Culinary Services. I’ve learned from Kissito to be compassionate, committed, dedicated, and a team player. It reminds me of a great quote that states ‘together we will stand and divided we will fall.’”
Cary Sykes
Director of Culinary Services
Brian Center Fincastle
Cary Sykes has been the Director of Culinary Services for the Brian Center Botetourt in Fincastle, Virginia since March 2020.
Sykes has assisted in other Kissito Healthcare centers and learned from the team members in the other buildings and continues to grow daily with the company.
“One of my most favorite moments is when I created our food menus based on what the residents wanted. It easy to put things on a menu based on what you like however, I wanted to create a homestyle cooking environment for my residents,” he said. “It did my heart justice knowing that my resident’s ideas and suggestions were heard and implemented. The resident’s quality of life matters so much to me.”
Sykes was born and raised in New Jersey (Jersey Shore Area) and has been working in food service in the healthcare field for more than 20 years. “I obtained my CDM in 2010 and then moved to Roanoke, Virginia in 2011,” Sykes said.
Kissito fosters an environment for growth for Sykes. He has been taking courses part-time at Virginia Western College and is majoring in Health Science to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nutrition. His hobbies are bowling, outdoor camping, writing poetry, and outdoor gardening. He has a total of 12 nieces and nephews. His mother also lives in New Jersey.