After one year of trainings, we are celebrating the 68 certified facilitators and 32 long-term care communities who are newly certified OMA Facilitators as part of the grant-funded expansion we have undertaken with LeadingAge Virginia. These individuals are the heroes of this project. In their own words:
“I hope to inspire and connect with many residents across barriers and make a difference in their days and lives.”
“I dream of making residents laugh, smile and [feel] a sense of accomplishment”
“I want to open new avenues for residents to feel as if they are ‘whole’ and have purpose.”
“I hope to give families a sense that their loved one is happy and has a sense of belonging to a community.”
Lead OMA Trainer, Dr. Dianne Simons, has worked closely with OMA founder, Dr. Elizabeth Lokon, to enrich the course with additional resources and tools. Through the ongoing teamwork of OMA trainers nationwide, the OMA Facilitator Training Course is well-established in its class as a quality training program designed for best-practice implementation.
“Every trainer is so knowledgeable and passionate about OMA. I loved being able to experience all the different [OMA] roles.” – Trainee certified November 2022
Lead OMA Trainer, Dr. Dianne Simons, has worked closely with OMA founder, Dr. Elizabeth Lokon, to enrich the course with additional resources and tools.
This three-year OMA grant expansion is funded by the Department of Medical Assistance Services as a best-practice reinvestment project. Each recipient community is Medicare certified and operates as a Skilled Nursing Facility. But of course, anyone can become an OMA Facilitator! Sitting next to activities personnel at trainings are university professors, caregiver community organizers, and day-program administrators.
We acknowledge how much we’ve accomplished, and yet we’re glad for another 18 months of trainings to make sure that every eligible community in Virginia that wants to adopt the impactful OMA program, can—as many as 102. As we gear up to ensure implementation at these sites, we’re excited to have two OT doctoral candidates from VCU join our team, Jenna Burns and Katherine Rogers. It takes many hands to power a mission this size!
These are the 32 Virginia communities who are now offering OMA to their residents because of the grant funding. Congratulations and welcome to the OMA movement!
The Chesapeake
Vinson Hall Retirement Community*
Virginia Veterans Care Center
King’s Grant Retirement Community
Our Lady of Peace*
WindsorMeade Williamsburg*
Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community
Lake Prince Woods*
Westminster Canterbury of The Blue Ridge
Kroontje Health Care Center (Warm Hearth Village)
Our Lady of Perpetual Help*
Harbor’s Edge
Brandermill Woods Health Care Center
Covenant Woods*
Our Lady of The Valley*
Kendal at Lexington
Richfield Living (Richfield Recovery and Care Center)
Bridgewater Home
Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads
Lakewood Manor
Manassas Health and Rehab Center
Beth Sholom Village
Dulles Health and Rehab Center
Lynn Care Center
The Jefferson
Waterview Health Rehab
Bonview Rehabilitation and Healthcare
Westport Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Envoy At the Meadows
Hiram Davis Medical Center
Autumn Care of Chesapeake
Our Lady of Hope
*We are thankful to those that have or will host an OMA training. These are committed to sustaining OMA in their communities.