Growth Report 2017: New Name Tops Year at Ohio Living Park Vista
Editor’s Note: The following story is from Growth Report 2017, published by The Business Journal.
By Beth Ann Tabak, Communications Media Liason, Ohio Living Park Vista
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — For Ohio Living Park Vista, 2016 was a year that embodied change and growth.
For the past 60-plus years, Ohio Living Park Vista has been a valuable member of the Youngstown community, offering independent living villas and apartments, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.
On Oct. 28, Park Vista Retirement Community’s parent company, Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services, changed its name to Ohio Living. Each of the company’s 12 life plan communities added Ohio Living to its existing community name, turning Park Vista of Youngstown into Ohio Living Park Vista.
The change in name, said Ohio Living Park Vista Executive Director Brian Kolenich, is not the result of a merger, acquisition or change in ownership. The people, ownership and mission remain the same. Instead, he explained, the new name illustrates the range of services that Ohio Living offers while clarifying the organization’s statewide network.
Ohio Living is the largest and most experienced nonprofit provider of life plan communities (formerly called continuing care retirement communities). Senior Independence, the organization’s home health and hospice provider, became known as Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice, and the organization’s charitable foundation as Ohio Living Foundation.
“This new name truly exemplifies the spirit and depth of services we offer statewide and at Ohio Living Park Vista,” said Kolenich. “Our organization is a wonderful collection of individuals who celebrate life and want to live it to the fullest, seeking new adventures and experiences at every turn.”
One such opportunity, noted Kolenich, could be found in the Mahoning Valley Lifelong Learning Institute, which was founded and is operated by Ohio Living Park Vista. The institute offers collegiate-level courses to those age 55 and over through four lecture series: The Harris Lecture Series on History and Political Science; The Gelhaar Lecture Series on Arts and Culture; The Kyle Lecture Series on Religion and Spirituality; and the Wellness and Rehabilitation Lecture Series.
The Mahoning Valley Lifelong Learning Institute opened the Gelhaar Center, its new home, in September. It resulted from a successful $1 million campaign for program endowment and capital improvements. The 864-square-foot learning center includes video conferencing capability and assistance for those with visual or hearing impairments.
The increased capacity led to a 70% increase in attendance compared to previous semesters, said institute director Marise Sahyoun. In turn, course offerings increased by 60%, and a new area of study was offered through STEM-based lectures (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Sahyoun also noted that the institute held its first Youngstown Chautauqua. Modeled on events at the Chautauqua Institution, the full-day of education included interactive lectures, museum tours and a musical performance reflecting life during the 19th century.
“Studies have shown that social engagement and continued learning promote a better quality of life as we age,” said Kolenich. “We want to foster as many learning opportunities through the Mahoning Valley Lifelong Learning Institute as we can, and we continue to seek opportunities to enhance it.”
Ohio Living, Park Vista’s parent company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Columbus. The company serves more than 73,000 people annually through its 12 life plan communities and home health and hospice services.
Ohio Living Park Vista employs nearly 300, while serving nearly 300 residents on its campus, and another 1,600 annually through the Rehab Center at Park Vista, the Outpatient and Aquatic Therapy Center, the Disease Support Network and the
Mahoning Valley Lifelong Learning Institute.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
