It’s a simple concept, but it’s an uncommon one. Kelli Back and her team serve the residents of the Village at Skyline Pines with guidance from something we all learned in kindergarten, but often forget — the Golden Rule.
Kelli, the Administrator at the Village at Skyline Pines, works to create an environment that puts the residents first. “I think what sets us apart is we really have a different approach,” she says. “We don’t have that corporate view of things that a lot of places try to go by. When you’re dealing with human lives, I honestly don’t think you can do it that way.”
The Village at Skyline Pines offers assisted living and memory care services. With such a wide array of services available, residents can receive the care they require, regardless of their changing needs. “We do have an assisted living license that meets additional criteria,” Kelli explains. “That allows us to have residents here that can age in place. They don’t have to worry about relocating and finding another home as their needs change. They’re already familiar with their neighbors. They’re already familiar with the staff. Families appreciate that.”
While other senior living facilities across the country and area have closed their doors due to lack of staffing, Kelli has led Skyline Pines to new heights in recent years. “We are full. I don’t have any open beds in my assisted living or memory care and we are fully staffed,” she shares.
Kelli was recently recognized as SDHCA Administrator of the Year. “When I accepted the award, I didn’t feel this was anything I did. I felt that if it wasn’t for my team, I would not be able to do this.” Kelli appreciates the latent talent and ability of her staff, and they respond to Kelli’s belief in their success. “I just don’t micromanage,” she says. “I really am their cheerleader. I give them the tools. I give them emotional support. I’m just in the background with the pom-poms going ‘raw raw.’”
On the Skylines team, the phrase “not my job” is incompatible with the team philosophy. “I’ve watched my maintenance team walk by the dining room and if a resident needs a glass of water, they’ll stop and get him a glass of water. It’s the way that the team works,” Kelli says.
Kelli and her team have found this success all during one of the most trying times in the history of healthcare — the pandemic. “We really have a fantastic team,” she shares. “A lot of my people that I have on my team have been with me for four or five years, and that’s almost unheard of in healthcare.”
There’s something special happening at the Village at Skyline Pines. Kelli has a hard time putting it into words. But she does chock it up to one thing: passion. “If your passion is there and you express it, then your team will feel it. The family feels that energy. If you have that, you’ll never let them down.”
1050 Fairmont Blvd
Rapid City, SD 57701
thevillagerc.com