Ian Shives is the senior executive director at Morning Pointe of East Hamilton (Tennessee) Assisted Living and Memory Care. He has 14 years of experience in senior living, including 3 years as ED at Morning Pointe of Collegedale at Greenbriar Cove Assisted Living. “Working at Morning Pointe is a rewarding experience," Ian said. "The comprehensive support and innovative programming they provide to staff and residents are genuinely refreshing and enhance our ability to deliver exceptional care.”
Meet Wylie Fuller, executive director at Morning Pointe of Collegedale at Greenbriar Cove in Tennessee. He served as business office manager for 7 years and was recently promoted to ED at the assisted living community. He also has a background in retail and banking. “I really enjoy serving the residents and making a difference in their lives,” Wylie said. “I like talking with them and hearing their history, and I am grateful that Morning Pointe gave me a chance to grow within the company.”
Drema Banta, an LPN at Morning Pointe of Frankfort, Kentucky, Senior Living was named one of the Top 10 Nurses by The State Journal on May 6, 2024. She was the only nurse in senior living to win the contest, which was determined by more than 800 local voters. Drema has been an LPN for 29 years and has worked at Morning Pointe for 1 1/2 years. “I feel like it’s my calling from God to serve others,” Drema said. She especially likes serving seniors. “You go in thinking you can bless somebody, but they’re actually blessing you."
Meet Kristy Bean, a licensed practical nurse at Morning Pointe of Brentwood, Tennessee. She has worked in senior care for more than 21 years and has worked at Morning Pointe for one year. “I enjoy loving on these residents and helping them with encouragement and unconditional love, especially ones needing extra care,” Kristy said. She also loves her team. “I enjoy the positive interactions from the moment I walk in the door until leaving.” Kristy even shares her produce from her personal garden.
Meet Jazzlynn Cox, lead resident assistant (RA) at Morning Pointe of Knoxville, Tennessee, Assisted Living. A people person, Jazzlynn came to Morning Pointe in April 2020 after serving as an in-home caregiver for an older woman. “I love taking care of people, and this job gives me a variety of people to take care of,” she shared. She enjoys her team, the work/life balance, and most of all, she loves her residents. And they love her right back. Her enthusiasm is felt throughout the building in everything from dressing up for holidays to singing karaoke to simply performing daily care tasks. "I hope to grow my career here," Jazzlynn said.
Meet Krystle Brinkley, lead CNA for memory care at Morning Pointe of Tullahoma, Tennessee. She has been at the community for 9 years, starting as an RA before earning her CNA certification. She has always loved helping people. “I love knowing that what I’m doing makes a difference,” she said. “I play a vital role in the residents having an everyday, normal life.” Her favorite part of her job is helping residents with the routine of getting up in the morning. “I love Morning Pointe – I’ll probably retire from Morning Pointe,” she said.
Meet Jenna Wetherholt, executive director at Morning Pointe of Franklin, Tennessee, Assisted Living, since late 2023. "I started volunteering at nursing homes and assisted living facilities in high school when I was competing in pageants,” said Jenna. “I fell in love with the elderly.” She started her career as an activities assistant in a nursing home and worked her way up to licensed assisted living administrator. She recently competed in the 2024 Miss Tennessee USA pageant.
Meet Mike Woods, hospitality aide at Morning Pointe of Brentwood, Tennessee, Assisted Living and Memory Care. Mike has been in this part-time role for 1 year, which was a natural fit for him in retirement. He previously spent 5 years working full-time for Morning Pointe Senior Living, including as the company's corporate director of dining services. "It’s an opportunity to give back, to help people, and it’s flexible," Mike said. “Hospitality is about friendship. It boils down to spending time with the residents." Mike helps out with transportation, activities, dining... wherever he sees a need. And he has started a men's group that's going strong, as well as a walking club. “I’m having fun with it,” Mike shared. “I’m still contributing. I give it a lot in those 15 hours a week that I’m there."
Morning Pointe Senior Living captured three awards at the recent Kentucky Senior Living Association banquet in Lexington. Congratulations to the team at Morning Pointe of Richmond, for winning the Outstanding Facilities Staff Award; Latrice Hubbard, CNA at Morning Pointe of Frankfort, for winning the Outstanding Caregiver Award; and Dawn Pittman, Senior Lantern Program Director at The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer's Center of Excellence, Lexington, for winning the Leadership Award!
Robbin Darden, LPN and regional recruiter, is celebrating 15 years with Morning Pointe Senior Living this year! She started as a floor nurse before serving as director of nursing at 2 Alzheimer's communities in the Chattanooga area for more than 8 years. She joined the Home Office team in 2020 and won Morning Pointe's Exceeding Expectations Award that year for her dedication in keeping residents safe during and after a tornado hit her building and during the pandemic. "I love that I'm caring for others and doing for others when it comes to making sure our residents are cared for and that our staffing is covered," Robbin said. "Does Morning Pointe truly grow its own? Yes, they do. This is where I will retire."
