Candice Nicole Nance
Director of Rehabilitation
Renewal Rehab
In short, what do you do?
I serve as the Director of Rehabilitation for a senior living community which includes independent living homes, independent living apartments, assisted living apartments, memory care units, and 24 hour care units. We provide occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy services to patients who need rehab in order to return home safely after a hospital stay and to the long term residents on campus. It is my responsibility to oversee, plan, and direct rehabilitation services by ensuring my staff is delivering the appropriate level of care based on the patient’s clinical needs and physical capabilities while maintaining compliance with professional and clinical competency standards, state regulations, federal requirements, and budgetary guidelines.
It’s been said that a nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members. What are the most important attributes when working with a geriatric community and building a staff to serve their needs?
It definitely requires patience, positivity, perseverance, compassion, and tenderness to service the geriatric population at their most critical time of need. These are qualities I look for when hiring staff to become a part of our team. Our patients and their family members often come to the facility afraid and unsure of what the near future may hold. We implement a holistic approach when directing their rehabilitative care, not only treating each patient’s physical deficits but taking into account mental and social factors which could impact their ability to rehab successfully. I encourage my team to approach and treat each patient as if he/she are a member of their own family.
What is your greatest professional satisfaction?
It was certainly a honor to receive the “2017 Best of North County Rehabilitation” recognition, but what brings me the most satisfaction are surprise visits from patients we were able to discharge home. They drop by to say hello, update us on their current status, and give hugs of gratitude and thankfulness. I cry tears of joy each and every time. To see patients who were once not able to stand up on their own, walk out the door with a smile on their face is simply amazing. That’s what it is all about for me. Assisting patients to reach their goals and continue to live a fulfilling life beyond physical deficits. Mission Accomplished!!
Tell us about your youth ministry commitments with Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church.
I serve as the Fellowship & Cultural Enrichment Leader for the Youth & Young Adult Ministry. It is a joy to organize outings for youth in an effort to exposing them to positive influences or to simply spend quality time. One my of favorite activities are our movie and dialogue outings. Our youth and seasoned saints enjoy a thought provoking movie together and afterwards we have a group discussion where perceptions and ideas from different age groups are shared which positively impacts the inter-generational gap within our church.
You’ve organized many church-related trips. What are your favorite cities to visit?
The most impactful city is Memphis, Tennessee to visit the National Civil Rights Museum. The most engaging trip is Fishers, Indiana to visit the Conner Prairie Interactive History Museum, Follow the North Star program where the youth actually re-enact how our enslave ancestors made their way through the Underground Railroad. It is a very powerful experience.
