Chris Smith is a fourth-generation Bostonian and a descendant of Governor William Bradford (Mayflower). After majoring in business at Boston College, she moved to Dallas and was married in 1977. Chris worked in several start-up companies with her husband, spanning restaurants, pest control and real estate. Chris then decided to pursue her passion for helping people.
Having looked up to her grandmother, who was a nurse and one of the finest people she had ever known, Chris endeavored to emulate her. All her life, Chris had been a caretaker and enjoyed making a difference in peoples’ lives. Being a baby boomer, Chris is very cognizant of our aging population and for a long time has had a keen interest in seniors.
A dear friend told Chris of a friend who owned a senior living community and needed help with marketing. They met and there was an instant connection. Chris has been part of ParkGate for a year and finds working with people in this industry to be one of the most gratifying experiences that she could have hoped for. The people in the elder care profession have proven to be kind-hearted, caring, attentive and selfless. Chris says “It’s so rewarding to be among people who really do care.” For more information about ParkGate, email Chris at chris.smith@parkgatedallas.com or call the main number at 214-219-1091. You can also visit their website at www.parkgatedallas.com.
Born and raised in Boston, Lois Ricci has been a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner for 40 years. She started her nursing career working night shifts in the ICU at a hospital in Missouri. While there, she was asked to teach nursing assistants in a nursing home. She quickly realized that she loved working with the elderly (and didn’t love working the night shift)! She went on to do graduate work in Gerontology, and earned a doctorate in education. She recently spent three years with the University of Georgia Institute of Gerontology, and now is teaching courses at Kennesaw, University of Georgia and Clayton State University.
Lois also sits on the board of the Georgia Gerontology Society. This is an organization that provides a wide variety of educational resources to its members, and to the community. In addition, the Georgia Gerontology Society holds two educational events each year. On March 16, the Society is hosting its Spring workshop, entitled Palliative Care: Bringing the Pieces Together. This event will be held at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in the Eversole Auditorium from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. The cost is $50, and lunch and parking are provided. While the event will be held in Macon, it will be well worth the 75 minute drive! In addition, Social Work CEUs will be available. Find out more by visiting the website: www.georgiagerontologysociety.com. Lois can be reached via email at loisricci@bellsouth.net.
We want to thank Griswold Special Care for sponsoring today’s show. Griswold Special Care has been a preferred provider of high quality, affordable in-home senior care in Dallas and Atlanta for 20 years.