Weekly Update March 13, 2026
March 13, 2026
To: Solheim Employees, Residents, Family Members and Stakeholders
From: Sam Oden, CEO of Solheim Senior Community
This week’s unusually warm weather has been a pleasant surprise, but it also serves as a good reminder of the importance of staying hydrated. Drinking enough water helps maintain energy levels, supports healthy digestion, and keeps our bodies functioning at their best. Dehydration can sometimes sneak up on us, especially when temperatures rise. To make it easier for everyone to stay refreshed, hydration stations are located throughout campus—including our newest station in the front lobby. Please take advantage of them throughout the day.
As we head into next week, we also look forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! This holiday honors Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick, and has become a time to celebrate Irish culture, music, and community. Be sure to join us on Tuesday at 3:30 PM for a special performance by Cleary’s Irish Dancers, who will bring lively traditional Irish dance to Solheim. It’s always a joyful performance, and a wonderful way to celebrate the spirit of the day together.
I am also pleased to announce that Kelly Medina will be joining our Solheim team as our new Director of Nursing (DON). Kelly comes to us with her Registered Nurse degree and extensive leadership experience, having served as an RN Supervisor, Assistant DON, and Director of Nursing. Her background in clinical leadership and dedication to quality care will be a tremendous asset to our community. Kelly will begin on Monday, and we are excited to welcome her to Solheim. Please join me in giving Kelly a warm Solheim welcome when you see her on campus.
This past Thursday we held our Residential Campus Council elections. We are pleased to welcome Ruth Bly and Valerie Josephson as new members to the council, and Carol Hayes, who will be continuing with a second term. As we mentioned last week, the Residential Campus Council plays an important role in representing residents’ voices, sharing ideas, and strengthening communication between residents and leadership. We are grateful to those who are willing to serve and help support the continued vibrancy of our community.
As we enjoy the warm weather and the festive spirit of the season, it’s a wonderful reminder of what makes our community so special. Whether it’s gathering for events, welcoming new team members, participating in campus leadership, or simply looking out for one another’s well-being, these moments reflect the Solheim Feeling—a community built on kindness, connection, and shared joy in living. I hope you’ll join us for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities and take time to enjoy the beautiful days ahead.
All staff working on our Skilled Nursing Campus are required to wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask or higher-level respirator. Visitors to the Health Center are required to wear a mask and will be offered a COVID-19 antigen test prior to entry.
Questions may be directed to Tina Antypas at 323-257-7518 extension 225 or at tantypas@solheimsenior.org.