By: Andrew Coen
Teller, who has been an administrator at the Woodmere facility, at 130 Irving Pl., since 1996, found out about the honor in early January and will be presented with the award on March 8 at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in upstate Kerhonkson, N.Y.
The Woodmere facility's director of nursing, Doreen Tansi, nominated Teller for the award. To be nominated for the award, the person is required to be administrator for more than five years, have the highest level and commitment to long-term care and be involved in the community.
"I was totally caught by surprise," said Teller. "It's a wonderful honor to be recognized by your peers."
Teller has been in the assisted living field for more than 20 years and served as the administrator at New Surfside Nursing Home in Far Rockaway, Queens, prior to arriving at the Woodmere facility. Teller has also worked at an assisted living center in Woodbury.
Among the many initiatives that Teller has instituted since arriving in Woodmere over eight years ago: He has helped to expand the facility's services department to include occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. An Alzheimer's/Dementia Unit has also opened and an in-house dialysis unit has recently been set up to allow those patients to stay in the Five Towns community to receive the necessary care.
The quality of kosher food has also been improved under Teller's watch, with the Vaad of the Five Towns supervising the center's food since November 2003.
Teller said that in the next year he is working on a customer excellence program with the goal of having all staff at the center provide the best service possible. The rehabilitation area of the center is also being expanded, with more than 2,000 additional square feet of space opening up for that purpose.
For more information regarding the services offered by the Woodmere Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, call (516) 374-9300.
Comments about this story? Acoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
