Sheletta Sprouse

Director, Nursing

“Fostering relationships is the key to our success,” says Sheletta Sprouse, RN MSN, whose team is comprised of 18 nurses and 30 certified nursing assistants caring for residents in rehab and long-term care. “I also serve as the liaison with our medical director, who is on staff at University Chicago Medicine.”

She adds, “Earning a master’s degree in nursing with an executive concentration prepared me to lead healthcare programs at 5-star communities. With the velocity of changes in healthcare, especially for our most vulnerable, I frequently advocate for residents. So many insurers want to rush the healing process. My job is to secure approval for treatment plans that provide adequate time for our patients to heal, to gain strength before they return their homes.”

Paul Zappoli

Chief Operations Officer

“Resident-satisfaction is our number one priority,” says Paul Zappoli, who honed that perspective and polished those skills in the extremely competitive hospitality and restaurant business. “We train our staff to constantly seek feedback to learn how they can improve. We strive to anticipate the needs and wishes of people who have travelled the world and want to continue an interesting lifestyle as they make Montgomery Place their home.”

Stefanie Dziedzic

Chief Relationship Officer

“Where you live impacts how happily you live, and the happiness of our residents is our top priority,” says Stefanie Dziedzic, who combines her expertise in two fields—health and human services and business development—at Montgomery Place.

“We start by asking, ‘What’s important to you and how would you like to see yourself living in 10 years…20 years?’ When we understand someone’s priorities and preferences, we’re able to create with them a vision of life now and confidence about the future.”

Deborah E. Hart

President and CEO

“Montgomery Place attracts people seeking an engaged lifestyle in a richly diverse community,” says Deborah Hart. As a catalyst for improvements that elevate Montgomery Place, her vision is shaped by her expertise leading retirement communities throughout the country, guiding innovation and quality to the people served by the people serving.

John Rurka

Human Resources Manager

“We hire professionals who live in Hyde Park and nearby neighborhoods so employees can reap the rewards of working close to home while building strong personal connections with our residents,” states John Rurka who worked in the University of Chicago’s HR Department seven years ago. “Demonstrating an ability to collaborate and a desire to learn are key factors for employee success and resident satisfaction at Montgomery Place.”

Creshanna Henry

Concierge

“My role is to facilitate residents’ plans for programs at Montgomery Place and excursions to a wide variety of cultural destinations around Chicago. I touch every detail from availability of tickets and making reservations to lining up door-to-door transportation,” says Creshanna Henry, who supervised The Spa and Fitness Centre at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago for seven years. “We live in the ‘era of enjoying experiences,’ so I like to make the process of getting there fun and satisfying for our residents.”