12 | October 19, 2017 | 22nd century media active aging Guide 22ndCenturyMedia.com Smith Crossing’s longest-serving staff member retires “You’ve reached Smith Crossing. This is Georgia.” For the past 13 years, Georgia Vanek’s cheerful voice has greeted callers phoning residents and staff members at the life plan community located at 10501 Emilie Lane in Orland Park. The former Orland Park resident took on many more responsibilities as the community grew. Vanek, who prefers to state her age as “old enough to retire,” recently did just that. On Sept. 29, she turned over her responsibilities as receptionist supervisor, receptionist and administrative assistant to the executive director at Smith Crossing. Vanek and her husband, Bill, recently relocated to St. John, Indiana Vanek leaves a legacy of being the soul of Smith Crossing, according to some residents and administrators “Georgia played an essential role establishing Smith Crossing as a life plan community,” said Kevin McGee, president and CEO of Smith Senior Living, sponsor of Smith Crossing and Smith Village in Chicago’s Beverly Morgan Park neighborhood. “And once we were ready for residents to move in, she helped make it a place where people foster friendships and offer mutual support they experience in their own families.” McGee served as the first executive director for Smith Crossing. Smith Crossing sprang up from 32 acres once occupied by soybean fields. It officially opened in November 2004, but Vanek joined the staff of Smith Senior Living even before that when there only was a sales office at a nearby shopping center. In 2002, she sought employment after passing up a job offer with Honeywell that would have required moving to Phoenix. For 17 years, she had worked as an administrative assistant to a regional manager of Honeywell and as a customer service representative. Answering a blind ad in a local newspaper, Vanek applied for a sales and marketing job with Smith Senior Living. She was the initial contact person for many of Smith Crossing’s first residents, who hailed from Orland Park and surrounding suburbs. Once Smith Crossing opened with 87 independent living apartments and 10 villas, Vanek’s duties transitioned to operations, serving as an administrative assistant and receptionist. “That’s when Georgia truly became the face and voice of Smith Crossing,” McGee said. “She had everything to do with making people feel welcome.” Within a few months after opening for independent living residents, Smith Crossing opened its first assisted living and memory support apartments, plus skilled nursing care rooms. “I learned about marketing, but I learned a lot more about people — what kindness can do in the world,” Vanek said. “I witnessed how growing older can be wonderful with the support of family and friends.” In addition to answering a busy telephone in the main lobby on weekday mornings, Vanek supervised the duties of 11 receptionists covering Smith Crossing’s entire phone system from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week. “Because we are front and center for residents too, we listen to their concerns and put them in touch with staff who could help,” she said. “We relayed lots of good news, like a special package or new furniture has just been delivered. We’d see their faces light up when they greeted family members and friends.” Vanek kept meticulous daily census records indicating residents’ absences, due to travel, medical procedures and snowbird residency in other states. She also tracked their progression through the lifestyle settings. She recalls a tipping point in 2007, when Smith Crossing achieved a population of 90 independent living residents and a waiting list of 30 prospective residents. Not long after, plans so- Please see retire, 18 Live it how you see fit At Smith Crossing, maintenance-free living, exceptional amenities and innovative programs all come together to create an active lifestyle that will exceed your expectations. Morning yoga classes. Working out with a professional trainer in our state-of-the art fitness center. Cultural, educational and wellness activities. Two firstclass dining venues with fresh, seasonal menus. Come explore an enriching world with the freedom to live life by the best design of all — yours. As Orland Park’s only Life Plan Community, backed by Smith Senior Living, who’s been caring for older adults in the Chicago area since 1924, you’ll have the security of a full continuum of care available here on campus if you should ever need it. Schedule your visit today (708) 505-2925 Step into a World of Possibilities. 10501 Emilie Lane • Orland Park, IL 60467 • SmithCrossing.org
22ndCenturyMedia.com active aging Guide 22nd century media | october 19, 2017 | 13