The Columbus Colony Staff
Columbus Colony is proud to present its leadership team. Managing every aspect of our facility, they represent a diverse range of experience in healthcare. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to email or contact us at 614-891-5055. |
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Robert Griggs, LNHA
Coming to Columbus Colony I understand how unique this facility truly is. With compassionate staff and amazing residents, it’s no wonder we have such good resident/family satisfaction and inspection/survey results. I’m proud to be a member of our leadership team and look forward to making Columbus Colony even better. |
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Lisa Kondas, RN
I’ve been with Columbus Colony for the past 15 years. As the 300 hall unit manager I worked diligently in meeting our resident needs. I was recognized as a Hero of Long Term Care on March of 2010 and honored at their annual convention. As Director of Nursing I maintain that conviction and do my best to ease pain, lift spirits, facilitate understanding, mentor others and continue to learn ourselves. At Columbus Colony I have been dedicated to serving the needs of the deaf and deaf/blind. I’ve petitioned Westerville and the Mayor of Columbus to for Deaf and Deaf/Blind Awareness days. I also make regular visits to local schools to raise awareness and understanding. |
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Katt Shaver
I have been in healthcare for the last 8 years. I started as a nutrition aide in local nursing home and then became a certified nurse aide while working on my degrees in business administration and marketing. While working as an aide I then became an assistant in the admissions and marketing department. After graduation I was able to become the Director of Marketing and Admissions for a facility and then for 3 corporate facilities. I’m proud to have recently joined the Columbus Colony Family and look forward to promoting this wonderful facility to the community. Although new to Columbus Colony, I’m amazed at just how special this facility really is. With compassionate staff and an excellent track record in rehabilitation, I would hate for this facility to be the best kept secret in Westerville and I’m excited to be marketing our quality services to the area. |
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Sonja Lyons
Starting in healthcare over 30 years ago, I have seen the vast amount of changes this industry has undergone. I started as a nurse aide, eventually worked my way into marketing and admissions. For the past 7 years I’ve been with Columbus Colony and I’m dedicated to ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of our residents and families. I understand being admitted for a long-term or even a short-term rehabilitation stay can be a stressful time for families. I’m here to walk you through the process and make you or your loved ones stay here as stress-free and relaxing as possible. If you are interested in coming to our facility feel free to contact me via email or call me at 614-496-3524. Tours are available 7 days a week. |
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Kristyn Eck, LSW
Ensuring older adults get the care and services they deserve has been a passion mine. Before starting with Columbus Colony I was a Community Liaison for Deaf Services in Rochester, New York. For 12 years I have been in the social services department of Columbus Colony and for nine I have been the director. A short term stay for rehabilitation can be stressful for everyone involved. Kim and I make up the rehabilitation discharge team. We’re responsible for the ensuring coordination of care you need to return you home. With caring coordination of social and medical needs, we make this a positive experience for both families and residents, but my job doesn’t end on discharge. I ensure residents and families have a continuation of services after discharge. Coordination of home healthcare and medical equipment to be sure residents get the services they need is an important step in ensuring we get your life back on track. |
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Kim Klink, RN
Working as a nurse for the last 26 years has given me a unique view on healthcare. From managing group homes, to directing the nursing care of an entire facility as director of nursing, I’ve seen many different sides of healthcare, but rehabilitation has always been my passion. Under my supervision I coordinate the care for you or your loved ones and am dedicated to ensuring you or your loved ones have a speedy recovery.
Working with our social workers and therapists, we make up the Rehabilitation discharge team. We’re responsible for the ensuring coordination of care you need to return you home. We work with families to ensure any concerns are met and everyone knows exactly what to expect. |
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Rich Stepp
I have over 18 years in healthcare accounting. Starting as Accountant with a large Columbus nursing home and eventually became the Corporate Accountant for a corporate chain of nursing homes, generating financial statements for five nursing homes. I joined Columbus Colony because I wanted to be a part of something significant. I started as the Business Office Manager and I am now the Chief Financial Officer. I’m happy to have been here for the past 11 years.
When I’m not working on financial records and reports, I’m maintaining our computers and servers. When I started at Columbus Colony we had only a handful of computers. We have since increased to over 50 computers and 5 servers and have recently added WiFi for all of our residents. Maintaining the finances and computer systems can be a stressful job but I find comfort in the importance of my work and in my work as a licensed minister. |
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Phyllis Bellar
I’ve been in healthcare for the past 25 years and have been at Columbus Colony for the past 7 years. Starting as an aide in nursing homes and hospitals, I eventually found my way to the billing office. I am an expert in Long Term Billing and have over twenty specialty certifications in billing and reimbursement.
With healthcare being an ever-changing industry, the finances behind it seem to change even faster. Working with Medicaid, Medicare or insurance companies can often be stressful and confusing for residents and family. I’m here to ease the stress and ensure they get the answers they need. Having caring people support you can make all the difference. |
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Kelly Sutherland
Working with Columbus Colony for the past 20 years, I understand just how special this organization truly is. I’ve been the Director of Human Resources for over 11 years. Starting as a receptionist I worked my way to Human Resources. My numerous certifications and training makes me an excellent employee advocate.
I understand that it is our staff’s dedication that makes our home so great and look for that drive in every potential hire. If you’re interested in joining the Columbus Colony family, I invite you to come in and fill out an application at our front desk. |
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Judy Osborn
I have been a member of the Columbus Colony family for the past 32 years. Starting in housekeeping and eventually finding my way to working in the kitchen, I’ve worked hard and grown to love both the staff and Residents of Columbus Colony, where I’ve been the Director of Nutritional Services for the past 15 years.
Cooking has always been a passion of mine. I own over 7,500 cookbooks and I’m always trying out new recipes. I find meeting the complex nutritional needs of our residents to be a challenge but one I always meet while still providing a personal touch. I’m proud of the food we serve from our kitchen and hope everyone enjoys it as much I do. |
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Brenda Rowell
While working at Columbus Colony for the past 29 years it’s hard not to see staff and residents as members of my family. Starting as a nurse aide and eventually working my way to Director of Environmental Services, for the past 10 years in that position I’ve taken pride in maintaining a safe and clean environment for families and residents to enjoy.
Ensuring a clean, safe environment goes beyond simple cleaning. My dedicated team of housekeepers and I are constantly patrolling the halls. We understand that above all this is a home for everyone. |
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Alex Dugang
With over 23 years of construction and maintenance experience, I have been proud to be Columbus Colony’s Director of Maintenance for the last 11 years. My department is responsible for Columbus Colony’s vital operation needs; like water, electricity, heating, air conditioning, and communication. My staff is competent and dedicated in ensuring these utilities are available 24 hour a day and 7 days a week. Furthermore, we make sure all our equipment and appliances are properly maintained and in excellent working order.
Columbus Colony, being a facility by the deaf and for the deaf, exerts an enormous effort to make life more convenient, particularly in the field of communication. Columbus Colony ensures each resident that requests a video phone has their own private line in their room, as well as access in common areas. Our maintenance department is delighted to enable our residents to keep in touch with friends and family. We also work with residents to ensure their rooms have all the amenities and comfort of home. We believe no detail is unimportant in maintaining the comfort of our residents.
We are the fix-it team, but when we can’t fix it, we get a bigger hammer. |
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Linda Ford-Smith
For the past 31 years I’ve been the Director of Interpreting Services for Columbus Colony. Certified under the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), me and my team of dedicated interpreters assist in communication with our deaf residents and training of our staff in American Sign Language.
As a child of deaf adults (CODA), I understand the unique concerns deaf individuals face in healthcare. I’m proud of the services we provide and the training we give staff. Under my supervision every employee is taught sign language. I truly believe Columbus Colony is a model for the world in providing health care and rehabilitation to deaf, blind, and deaf-blind residents. |
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Sylvia Gakuo
I am proud to be Columbus Colony’s new activities director. Though I’ve only recently become the director, I’ve been with Columbus Colony for 10 years. Starting as a Nurse Aide and eventually becoming an Activities Coordinator, I studied to become a Certified Activities Director. I am certified in American Sign Language /Deaf Studies and I am currently pursuing a degree in the same field.
Meeting the recreational needs for any nursing home is a difficult task. Adapting the needs of the deaf and deaf/blind can be overwhelming. This has been my focus for the last 10 years and I’m proud to say that with our caring staff and wonderful residents we’ve created a flourishing environment for everyone. |
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Nancy Steigerwald, LPN For the last 25 years I’ve been with Columbus Colony. I started Nursing in 1978 and worked in hospitals before starting with the Columbus Colony, where for the past 6 years I’ve worked as a Unit Manager. This is really a unique facility not just because of the amazing staff that works here but also our wonderful residents. |
