Kim Swanson, the new CAO for Cypress View Foundation, poses for a photograph in Medicine Hat Public Library.--NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
The new CAO for Cypress View Foundation is no stranger to this local seniors’ residence.
Kim Swanson, who will commence his new duties on Monday, was originally in the same position from 1994 to 2009. He is brimming with enthusiasm as he returns.
“One of the pleasures of the job is to engage with residents,” said Swanson, reminiscing about having lunch with residents to build relationships.
“If you can’t build a solid relationship it’s difficult to build trust,” he explained.
The senior leadership creates the atmosphere to foster a positive culture and this in turn allows staff to be the best they can be, said Swanson. The way staff are treated affects how they in turn treat the residents.
“No one person is more important than another,” said Swanson of the top job. “The role of the CAO is just different.”
Swanson was with Cypress View Foundation around the time the new wing was built. Since then he spent a number of years as the health services manager at the Maple Creek Hospital and seniors- residence – Cypress Lodge – which was newly constructed and integrated.
He was also the general manager at AgeCare Valleyview at one point and is leaving his current position as housing programs manager with Medicine Hat Community Housing Society.
Swanson says there were about 50 or 60 employees at Cypress View Foundation when he worked there in 2009 and he believes there are more than 100 now. Similarly there were about 170 residents but are at about 210 now.
He says there are bound to be some challenges, particularly around following COVID-19 protocols, but current measures have been working and it is a case of supporting what is already in place.
Mention the cat room at Cypress View Foundation and Swanson smiles with enthusiasm. It is a separate and comfortable living room with cats where residents who enjoy the creatures are welcome to spend time. Conversely those who do not consider themselves “cat people” or have allergies, need not be impacted. It is a successful project introduced by Dianna Jossa who was appointed CAO in 2017 and left at the end of June this year.
Swanson says one of the ideas he would like to explore is giving residents the opportunity to perhaps spend more time with young children. Some seniors’ residences have successfully integrated a daycare to achieve this.
Swanson officially starts his position on Nov. 16.
