ElderWood Director of Nursing named RN of the Year

HAMBURG, NY – Ellen Rychlik, RN, BSN, director of nursing at ElderWood Health Care at Lakewood, in Hamburg, will be honored as Registered Nurse of the Year by the New York State Health Facilities Association (NYSHFA) during the organization’s annual convention June 30. NYSHFA is a statewide professional association of more than 250 long-term care facilities. Registered Nurse of the Year awardees are honored for their outstanding care skills and continual dedication to residents, and for serving as role models for other staff.

Ms. Rychlik joined the ElderWood staff in 1997 as a nursing supervisor. In 2003, she was named director of nursing for the 166-bed facility, which offers long-term skilled nursing care and subacute care and rehabilitation.

“I see myself as a humanitarian,” says Rychlik. “As a nurse, my mantra has always been, ‘Do unto others as you would have done to you.’ It is important that every decision I make be guided by the consideration of my heart and mind.” Ms. Rychlik says she feels blessed to have shared some of the most precious and intimate moments of residents’ lives. She is committed to doing everything in her power to ensure they are comfortable and well cared for.

ElderWood Health Care at Lakewood is a part of ElderWood Senior Care, providing skilled nursing care, subacute care, rehabilitation, assisted living, independent living, memory care, cardiovascular transitional care and respiratory care to more than 5,000 people each year at 17 locations in Western and Central New York. Nine ElderWood skilled nursing facilities in Western New York have earned either Step 1, Step 2 or Step 3 Quality Awards from the American Health Care Association, the most prestigious honor in long-term care. For more information, visit www.elderwood.com.