Sun Health Senior Living, a nationally recognized operator of three retirement communities and two care centers in Arizona, appointed Barbara Foster executive director of The Colonnade, an active adult life care community located in Surprise.
Foster, who comes to Sun Health from Macon, Ga., brings more than 25 years of industry experience to the role. She has worked with an array of continuing care retirement communities across the country serving in varied leadership capacities, including vice president of operations, executive director and regional operations manager. Included among her many leadership duties was responsibility for opening new CCRCs, running large-scale care centers, and maintaining operational responsibility for upwards of 1,000 residents in a single community.
“When I met the team at Sun Health and saw its goals to impart healthy living options for their residents as well as seniors in the surrounding area via community health programs and forward-thinking strategic initiatives, I was hooked,” Foster said. “I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself that impacted seniors in a positive way. I feel Sun Health fulfills that need and will for many years to come.”
Foster’s extensive experience opening new communities has prepared her well to lead The Colonnade, which is poised for continued growth this summer with the opening of a new 36-unit condo-style complex known as The Colonnade Villas.
As executive director of The Colonnade, Foster is responsible for leading, administering and directing virtually all aspects of community operations, ranging from budget oversight, staff management and regulatory compliance, to serving as a liaison between the community and local hospitals, care centers and senior assistance agencies.
“The people at Sun Health think big, act in positive ways and look past the here and now to move today’s seniors beyond the status quo of aging and into a future of health and wellness so they can live longer, healthier lives,” she commented. “My goals as executive director at The Colonnade include ensuring open communication between the residents, staff and myself; keeping the community financially stable and growing; and most importantly, maintaining resident satisfaction by creating exciting opportunities to preserve and propel their physical, intellectual, spiritual and social health and well-being.”
