MANDEL CENTER FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Steven Raichilson

When Steve became Executive Director of Menorah Park in 1987, the campus consisted of a nursing home and an independent living building, both fiscally sound and with excellent reputations. He began a study to determine where Menorah Park was and where he wanted to lead it, while maintaining the agency’s core mission.  During this time, many nursing homes began to experience fiscal difficulties.  However, Steve created profit-making centers to subvert future budget problems, including an expanded rehabilitation program, three home health care offices, a home cleaning and repair service, a medical equipment business, and classes for area nursing home personnel.

Under Steve’s leadership, the Menorah Park campus has expanded and many new services have been added, including two new residential buildings, 64 new private rooms in the nursing home, a computer center for residents, an expanded Rehabilitation Center and transitional living suite, and a driver assessment program. His dream of building an aquatic center offering water therapy became a reality when Menorah Park received a gift from Peter B. Lewis. One of Steve’s greatest additions was a child care center for employees’ children in 1993.

Steve initiated efforts to increase family visitation and socialization including monthly bagel brunches and pancake breakfasts.  He has championed innovative programs such as a resident trip to Israel, mandatory Holocaust education for all new staff members, and board fact finding missions to Washington and Columbus.
 
Steve has testified as an expert at the state and federal level on Medicaid issues, and frequently contacts legislators about issues affecting the elderly. He serves on the Association of Ohio Philanthropic Homes for Aging board of trustees.

Staff education is one of Steve’s greatest priorities. His budget allows staff to pursue continuing education and provides scholarships for those interested in nursing careers. To recruit and retain top staff, Steve instituted a Team Leader program with salary increases and supervision opportunities for nursing personnel, which has been replicated as far away as Japan.  Because he views the presence of students as a win-win for Menorah Park, Steve encourages staff to recruit and utilize students from area universities and has accepted a number of students to work directly under him.  Steve is a visionary leader and a role model for other non profit managers.