Thoughts on the New Year From CEO, Tim Mallad

When this issue of “At the Forefront” was imagined, the team asked me to highlight 12 meaningful stories from 2021. A retrospective glance seemed like a great idea! After all, we were at the cusp of a new year. One many thought would herald the end of pandemic.

Instead, we began to experience new COVID-19 cases in December. Just a few, “here and there.” The “here and there” soon became “everywhere” as we entered 2022. As this new spike developed, our leadership team took great comfort in the many good things, more than 12 to be exact, that happened in 2021.

2021, much like this year, began with a spike in the COVID-19 cases and like this year, our Forefront Living family rose to the challenge. Teammates covered shifts and put their shoulders to the wheel as their peers recovered from the virus. Residents encouraged each other and lent a helping hand to those in need. They, along with family members and patients, encouraged and supported those at the frontlines.

Our values of diversity, integrity, stewardship and compassion, based in faith, guided us all into the new year and the unknown. A new value, transparency, emerged over these many months. We shared information, even when not certain, and clung to the message that we are all in this together.

While I would love to be able to share my selections for the top 12 highlights of 2021, I would rather wait until another year when it is easier to select ONLY 12 highlights to focus on! What I do know is that our organization weathered the last 20 months with grace and emerged stronger. Presbyterian Village North (PVN) remains vital, and with the opening of The Hawthorne, is setting the standard for senior living in the metroplex. Faith Presbyterian Hospice (FPH) continues to grow its footprint and serve patients and their families with the love and compassion. The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) is off to a tremendous start and other new Forefront Living retirement campuses are on the horizon. The team is more united to each other, and we are especially more connected to those we serve.

I remain in awe of the spirit of philanthropy that brings the extraordinary to our organization. The T. Boone Pickens Hospice endowment reached over $9 million dollars 2021. The PVN Foundation continues to provide caring funds to residents, enhances programming and makes the physical environment for our residents the best in Dallas. Our donors maintain their financial support, but continually give their time and talents whenever needed.

While many people grapple with the uncertainty of the pandemic and other external factors, we have the certainty as an organization that we will be there for each other. I look forward to another year of growth, health and success for us all. Happy New Year!