Denielle Stearns
Vermilion,US
Summary
Dynamic Activities Director with extensive experience excelling in event planning and resident engagement. Proven ability to enhance quality of life through innovative programming and strong relationship building. Skilled in compliance documentation and emergency preparedness, fostering a safe and vibrant community for seniors. Passionate about promoting physical and cognitive wellness.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Activity Director
Avon Place Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation
Avon, Ohio
06.2025 - Current
- Develop and implement engaging recreational programs for residents.
- Coordinated daily activities to foster meaningful social interactions among residents.
- Maintain activity schedules and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Evaluated program effectiveness using resident feedback and participation metrics to inform future programming.
- Maintain accurate records of participant attendance and progress notes.
- Consulted with staff and professionals to collaboratively enhance activity offerings.
- Facilitate group discussions on topics such as current events, health issues, and hobbies.
- Conduct assessments of residents' cognitive functioning levels prior to enrollment in programs.
- Interview and hire associates to fill staff vacancies.
Activities Director
Grace Management Group
01.2024 - Current
- Promoted exceptional quality of life for residents by innovating, organizing, and conducting entertaining and stimulating activities.
- Supported cognitive health through the implementation of brain fitness programs designed to stimulate mental acuity in older adults.
- Engaged residents through diverse events and personalized attention, fostering community connections.
- Encouraged social interaction among residents by designing opportunities for group projects, discussion groups, game nights, and other shared experiences.
- Coordinated off-site activities and accompanied residents throughout excursions.
- Integrated exercise classes into daily activity schedule, enhancing residents' physical wellness and encouraging participation.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations by maintaining thorough records of resident participation in activities.
- Cultivated meaningful relationships with residents to tailor activities that reflect their personal histories and preferences.
- Helped residents build and maintain interpersonal relationships, social skills, mental abilities, and confidence.
- Organized seasonal celebrations that fostered a festive atmosphere within the facility while respecting cultural diversity.
- Coordinated volunteer programs that allowed community members to engage with facility residents in various capacities, enriching both parties' lives in the process.
- Facilitated support groups addressing specific concerns such as grief or chronic illness management, offering valuable resources for coping strategies.
- Planned resident outings and special events to mark holidays and celebrate special occasions.
- Developed monthly life enrichment calendar and published electronically and in print.
- Designed wide variety of activities to stimulate interest, involvement, and engagement of patients.
- Assisted with safety and emergency planning to secure patient safety while at facility and prevent injury.
- Organized and oversaw special events such as birthday parties, tournaments and team-building activities.
- Partnered across departments to run smooth, professional events and activities.
- Contributed to a positive living environment by fostering a sense of camaraderie among residents through group activities and social gatherings.
- Enhanced resident satisfaction by developing and implementing diverse activity programs tailored to individual interests and needs.
- Worked with nursing team to identify and document changes in patient mental acuity and physical abilities.
Patient Transporter
Bon Secours Mercy Health Hospital
08.2022 - 12.2022
- Assisted in training new Patient Transporters on proper techniques, protocols, and company policies, ensuring consistent high-quality care throughout the team.
- Transported patients to testing and treatment units, operating rooms and other areas using moveable beds, wheelchairs, and stretchers.
- Maintained cleanliness of transport equipment to minimize infection risk for patients and staff.
- Reduced patient anxiety during transport by maintaining open communication and answering questions.
- Ensured patient safety by properly positioning patients on stretchers, wheelchairs, and other transport equipment.
- Maintained strong professional relationships with colleagues across various departments, promoting teamwork for efficient patient care delivery.
- Assisted in the transfer of critically ill patients within the hospital, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail and medical protocol adherence.
- Acted as an advocate for patients'' needs while being transported around the facility, ensuring their dignity was preserved at all times.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate care and timely transportation.
- Assisted with the discharge process by escorting patients with belongings to leave facility safely and comfortably.
- Assisted patients in using oxygen tanks and other medical equipment to manage a smooth transition from the hospital to a designated location.
- Communicated with patients, family members and healthcare staff to coordinate transportation schedules.
- Assisted with lifting and handling patients using appropriate patient safety equipment such as lift swings, stand-up lifts and overhead lifts.
Personal Trainer
Bally Total Fitness Corporation
05.2001 - 04.2005
- Educated clients on proper exercise techniques, reducing risk of injury during workouts.
- Inspired clients to achieve fitness goals through positive reinforcement and support.
- Trained clients during strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and stretching.
- Guided clients in setting and achieving personal fitness goals with realistic action plans.
- Improved client fitness levels by developing personalized workout plans and monitoring progress.
- Increased client retention through consistent communication, motivation, and support.
- Explained exercise modifications and contraindicated movements to participants with a history of injury.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of fitness training methods to inform approach.
- Designed specific workout systems for individual clients based on performance ability.
- Demonstrated proper technique for exercises to avoid injuries.
- Developed customized fitness plans for a wide range of clients to expand services.
- Developed and implemented creative exercise programs to keep clients engaged and motivated.
- Developed healthy eating meal plans for clients to provide a holistic approach.
- Implemented nutritional guidance alongside physical training plans, yielding more comprehensive results for clients'' overall wellbeing.
- Collaborated with other fitness professionals to design effective cross-training programs.
- Conducted comprehensive fitness assessments, setting realistic goals for each client''s unique needs and abilities.
- Organized fun and engaging gym challenges to foster camaraderie among members and promote healthy competition.
- Assisted in the development of gym-wide events, increasing overall membership engagement.
- Offered nutritional guidance to complement fitness programs, contributing to improved client health outcomes.
- Developed and implemented innovative workout routines to keep clients engaged and prevent plateauing.
- Conducted regular follow-up with clients to track progress and adjust fitness plans.
- Improved client retention by developing personalized fitness programs tailored to individual needs and goals.
- Maintained high standards of safety and cleanliness in training areas, minimizing risk of injury and promoting a healthy workout environment.
- Enhanced gym community engagement by organizing and leading group fitness challenges and events.
- Boosted client confidence and skillset with targeted strength training and conditioning programs.
- Led recovery and flexibility sessions to reduce risk of injury and improve overall physical wellness.
- Increased overall gym revenue through effective upselling of personal training packages and nutritional supplements.
- Fostered a positive workout environment with upbeat energy and professional demeanor.
- Informed clients on nutrition's role in reaching fitness objectives, enhancing overall wellness.
- Boosted personal training revenue by promoting additional services to existing clients.
- Enhanced gym member satisfaction by providing one-on-one consultations and group training sessions.
- Organized outdoor fitness boot camps to provide clients with diverse and challenging workout environments.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to design safe and effective programs for clients with medical conditions.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, resulting in high rate of referrals and new business.
- Demonstrated proper form and technique to prevent injury.
- Used music to motivate and energize classes.
- Set up and broke down equipment before and after classes.
- Counseled participants on nutrition to help reach fitness goals.
STNA
Anchor Lodge
03.1999 - 09.2001
- Assisted with patient transfer and ambulation.
- Assisted patients in daily activities, promoting their independence and dignity.
- Kept accurate records of patients' care, condition, and progress.
- Promoted a safe environment for both patients and staff members by adhering to facility policies and procedures at all times.
- Provided assistance in daily living activities by dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting patients.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient care, facilitating effective communication among healthcare team members.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate and attentive personal care.
- Conducted regular safety checks on patient rooms, addressing potential hazards immediately.
- Reduced risk of infections with diligent adherence to hygiene and sanitation protocols.
- Coordinated mealtime assistance for patients requiring feeding support, ensuring proper nutrition intake daily.
- Monitored vital signs, promptly reporting any abnormalities to the supervising nurse.
- Documented vital signs to inform nurses and physicians of any changes in patient status.
- Supported rehabilitation efforts through consistent implementation of prescribed therapeutic exercises.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
- Collaborated with nursing staff to ensure timely delivery of medications and treatments.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Conducted comprehensive charting updates after each shift, maintaining thorough records of patient care and progress.
- Safely transported patients throughout the facility using proper transfer techniques and equipment.
- Oversaw and maintained patients' rooms, group living areas, and nurse stations.
- Participated in fun group activities with patients to boost mood, improve overall memory, and provide light entertainment.
Education
Health, Food, Nutrition - Wellness Health
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH05-2004
High School Diploma -
Clearview High School
4700 Broadway Ave. Lorain Ohio 4405506-1992
Skills
- Senior living experience
- Senior activities experience
- Activity organization
- Recreational program development
- Event planning
- Event execution
- Activity scheduling
- Participant monitoring
- Program development
- Program evaluation
- Teamwork
- Resident support
- Mobility assistance
- Therapy planning
- Record keeping and documentation
- Inventory ordering
- Newsletter preparation
- Time management
- Organizational proficiency
- Multitasking
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Effective communication
- Relationship building
- Effective communication
- Team management
- Team collaboration
- Team leadership
- Active listening
- Professionalism
- Problem solving techniques
- Organizational proficiency
- Patient evaluations
- Multitasking
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Team collaboration
Affiliations
- Lorain County Pit Crew
- PetResQ Ohio
Hobbies and Interests
Activities, Trips, Dances with Seniors
Picnics and Gatherings
Art Deco, Ceramics, Painting
Caring for Seniors
Work Preference
1, ["Full Time","Part Time"], ["On-Site","Remote"], ["Career advancement","Work-life balance","Healthcare benefits","Work from home option","Paid time off","4-day work week","Paid sick leave","401k match","Personal development programs"]
Timeline
Activity Director
Avon Place Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation
06.2025 - Current
Activities Director
Grace Management Group
01.2024 - Current
Patient Transporter
Bon Secours Mercy Health Hospital
08.2022 - 12.2022
Personal Trainer
Bally Total Fitness Corporation
05.2001 - 04.2005
STNA
Anchor Lodge
03.1999 - 09.2001
Health, Food, Nutrition - Wellness Health
The Ohio State University
High School Diploma -
Clearview High School