Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2023 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 5 to Aug. 15. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Armed with the soul of a caregiver and a background in all facets of management—operations, team building, staff development, efficiency, continuous improvement and a focus on customer satisfaction—Rhonda St. Onge went to work as a licensed nursing home administrator and became a certified executive for assisted living and an executive director of senior living communities.
St. Onge has an undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH. She then earned a master’s degree with a focus on lean management at Ohio State University, Columbus.
St. Onge became the executive director of Wesley Woods, a Life Enriching Communities continuing care retirement community in New Albany, OH, in late 2018. There, she oversaw operations that included 118 units, including villas, independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. While serving as executive director at Wesley Woods, St. Onge increased occupancy from 35% in 2018 to 85% in 2020. She retained 100% of the community’s directors, managers and coordinators.
Since December 2020, St. Onge has been executive director of Brookdale Trillium Crossing, a 213-unit independent and assisted living community in Columbus, OH. At Trillium Crossing, she manages an operating budget of almost $7 million and leads a team of nine direct and 130 indirect reports.
A key part of St. Onge’s success is her client-focused managerial training combined with her deep love of people and understanding of the needs of residents. St. Onge is the first and only McKnight’s Women of Distinction honoree whose nomination came from residents. Residents say they know that they have her full support (and that of her dedicated staff) in pursuing any interests or activities.
St. Onge goes about her work with intensity, with her eyes always on the goal, forever juggling the myriad aspects of her role. Residents say she is the consummate team player and always maintains a sense of humor, a ready wit and a steady calm as she makes Trillium Crossing a true home.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. PointClickCare is the Diamond sponsor of this year’s program. PharMerica is the Silver sponsor. Additional sponsors include American HealthTech, Healthcare Services Group, Omnicare, Sentrics and ShiftKey.
Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2023 and previous years.
