The Oaks at Bartlett: Not Just a Special Place for Residents, But a Special Place to Work, Too! When you listen to team members at The Oaks at Bartlett speak about their experiences working in the community, the sense of pride and camaraderie comes through loud and clear. And all agree, that, regardless of whether you are a resident, or an employee, it's a special place to be because of two things: the residents, and their colleagues. The residential living apartments and cottages are home to more than 190 seniors at The Oaks at Bartlett, a not-for-profit senior living community. Nestled on a beautiful 44-acre campus with wetlands and scenic walking paths, The Oaks offers assisted living, memory support, long- term care, and transitional rehabilitation services to its residents. "When you come to work here, you feel like a part of a family; the residents and the team are simply amazing," said Tammy Holzer, Director of Sales and Marketing. Tammy has been with the community since its opening 16 years ago and is one of five employees who have been working there for at least a decade. "It's a great environment where everyone helps each other out." Tammy, herself, has held numerous positions before taking on the role of a sales and marketing leader. While she began her career at The Oaks in the Fitness Center, she also did stints in the dining and transportation departments. "The nice thing about working in this community is that there are a variety of opportunities for advancement because there are so many departments and needs here. It keeps things interesting for the staff." Which, she says, translates to a better experience for the residents. At the end of the day, for Will Bush, Facilities Director, who started his career at The Oaks 11 years ago as a Porter and then a Maintenance Tech, working at the facility is really about being a part of a "close- knit family." "Being here so long and meeting different residents. and getting to know them has enabled me to build many relationships," he said. "As a facilities director, you quite of- ten have to go into residents' apartments to fix things, so you get to know them and learn about their lives." He added, "And when the job is finished, they are super happy, and so are you. There's a great sense of accomplishment. And it's like helping your own family members." Rosa Robles never envisioned working at the community as long as she has. The Assistant Director of Dining Services said her team members and the residents are what keep her coming to work each morning and "are the ones responsible for keeping me here." Rosa's career path also had her serving in a variety of roles before taking on her current position. And the common denominator in her journey at The Oaks is food. She started as a server in the Independent Living area where she says she connected with residents every day. "It was great because I was able to get to know them, their character, and what they liked and didn't like in terms of food choices," she said. "Being able to give them a nice meal and one that they look forward to - is always rewarding. Now Rosa gets to experience another side of the business. "I get to work in the back of the house ordering food and making sure their dietary needs are met, which is extremely important," Rosa added. "It's very gratifying-it makes me feel like I am doing something good and healthy for the residents." The community offers an ever-changing menu of entrée specials along with beer and wine, from a professional wait staff, with dine in and carry out available. When asked to describe the culture at The Oaks, these employees wholeheartedly agree that the words "family", "collaborative", "warm" and "welcoming" just about sum it up. And these themes reverberate in the halls on "tour days". "Prospective residents get that it somehow feels different here," Tammy added. "There is something unique and special about this place. Prospective residents immediately feel welcomed and a sense of belonging and friendship." And all three agree that having such a rewarding experience on the job permeates through to the residents who themselves enjoy a very positive experience within the community, which is driven by its mission to "nourish, celebrate and enhance the mind, body and spirit" for its residents. Tammy emphasized that it all goes back to family. "I've been here so long that the residents know my family, The Oaks team members: Tammy Holzer, Director of Sales and Marketing, Will Bush, Facilities Director, and Rosa Robles, The Assistant Director of Dining Services how old my children are, and their birthdays," she said with a chuckle. "It's like my kids have extra sets of grandparents!" Ensuring the residents "always feel special" is an important part of the community's own journey, according to Rosa. For example, on the third Wednesday of each month, birthdays are celebrated and the chef makes a special meal for the residents. "We have had surf and turf and fried shrimp and steak," she said. "Those are all fan favorites We also hold regular happy hours where the residents can spend some time enjoying and socializing with their neighbors." She commented that the staff is always looking for new ideas to introduce to keep it fun and interesting for the residents. And they even take suggestions to heart. "We had one resident from Louisiana who requested Jambalaya," she said. "And now it is a permanent fixture on the menu!" "Our drive to continuously grow, change, and always improve is what sets us apart from other senior communities, and you feel that in the air when you step on site," Rosa said. "It is such a welcoming place, and you see it in the smiling faces and warm greetings around our campus-from both residents and team members alike. And you'll hear it in the happy laughter of good friends." To learn more about The Oaks, schedule your in-person tour today! The Oaks at Bartlett : Not Just a Special Place for Residents , But a Special Place to Work , Too ! When you listen to team members at The Oaks at Bartlett speak about their experiences working in the community , the sense of pride and camaraderie comes through loud and clear . And all agree , that , regardless of whether you are a resident , or an employee , it's a special place to be because of two things : the residents , and their colleagues . The residential living apartments and cottages are home to more than 190 seniors at The Oaks at Bartlett , a not - for - profit senior living community . Nestled on a beautiful 44 - acre campus with wetlands and scenic walking paths , The Oaks offers assisted living , memory support , long- term care , and transitional rehabilitation services to its residents . " When you come to work here , you feel like a part of a family ; the residents and the team are simply amazing , " said Tammy Holzer , Director of Sales and Marketing . Tammy has been with the community since its opening 16 years ago and is one of five employees who have been working there for at least a decade . " It's a great environment where everyone helps each other out . " Tammy , herself , has held numerous positions before taking on the role of a sales and marketing leader . While she began her career at The Oaks in the Fitness Center , she also did stints in the dining and transportation departments . " The nice thing about working in this community is that there are a variety of opportunities for advancement because there are so many departments and needs here . It keeps things interesting for the staff . " Which , she says , translates to a better experience for the residents . At the end of the day , for Will Bush , Facilities Director , who started his career at The Oaks 11 years ago as a Porter and then a Maintenance Tech , working at the facility is really about being a part of a " close- knit family . " " Being here so long and meeting different residents . and getting to know them has enabled me to build many relationships , " he said . " As a facilities director , you quite of- ten have to go into residents ' apartments to fix things , so you get to know them and learn about their lives . " He added , " And when the job is finished , they are super happy , and so are you . There's a great sense of accomplishment . And it's like helping your own family members . " Rosa Robles never envisioned working at the community as long as she has . The Assistant Director of Dining Services said her team members and the residents are what keep her coming to work each morning and " are the ones responsible for keeping me here . " Rosa's career path also had her serving in a variety of roles before taking on her current position . And the common denominator in her journey at The Oaks is food . She started as a server in the Independent Living area where she says she connected with residents every day . " It was great because I was able to get to know them , their character , and what they liked and didn't like in terms of food choices , " she said . " Being able to give them a nice meal and one that they look forward to - is always rewarding . Now Rosa gets to experience another side of the business . " I get to work in the back of the house ordering food and making sure their dietary needs are met , which is extremely important , " Rosa added . " It's very gratifying - it makes me feel like I am doing something good and healthy for the residents . " The community offers an ever - changing menu of entrée specials along with beer and wine , from a professional wait staff , with dine in and carry out available . When asked to describe the culture at The Oaks , these employees wholeheartedly agree that the words " family " , " collaborative " , " warm " and " welcoming " just about sum it up . And these themes reverberate in the halls on " tour days " . " Prospective residents get that it somehow feels different here , " Tammy added . " There is something unique and special about this place . Prospective residents immediately feel welcomed and a sense of belonging and friendship . " And all three agree that having such a rewarding experience on the job permeates through to the residents who themselves enjoy a very positive experience within the community , which is driven by its mission to " nourish , celebrate and enhance the mind , body and spirit " for its residents . Tammy emphasized that it all goes back to family . " I've been here so long that the residents know my family , The Oaks team members : Tammy Holzer , Director of Sales and Marketing , Will Bush , Facilities Director , and Rosa Robles , The Assistant Director of Dining Services how old my children are , and their birthdays , " she said with a chuckle . " It's like my kids have extra sets of grandparents ! " Ensuring the residents " always feel special " is an important part of the community's own journey , according to Rosa . For example , on the third Wednesday of each month , birthdays are celebrated and the chef makes a special meal for the residents . " We have had surf and turf and fried shrimp and steak , " she said . " Those are all fan favorites We also hold regular happy hours where the residents can spend some time enjoying and socializing with their neighbors . " She commented that the staff is always looking for new ideas to introduce to keep it fun and interesting for the residents . And they even take suggestions to heart . " We had one resident from Louisiana who requested Jambalaya , " she said . " And now it is a permanent fixture on the menu ! " " Our drive to continuously grow , change , and always improve is what sets us apart from other senior communities , and you feel that in the air when you step on site , " Rosa said . " It is such a welcoming place , and you see it in the smiling faces and warm greetings around our campus - from both residents and team members alike . And you'll hear it in the happy laughter of good friends . " To learn more about The Oaks , schedule your in - person tour today !