“Taking Care of People” – Meet Ann Peterson, Director of Wellness at Mount Vernon Towers

29 Dec “Taking Care of People” – Meet Ann Peterson, Director of Wellness at Mount Vernon Towers

Native Atlantan Ann Peterson, a proud “Grady Baby,” was inspired as a teenager to go into nursing by Dr. Jackson, her family’s doctor. After she had turned down a job with the FBI, he asked her what career she really envisioned for herself. Learning that taking care of people was her greatest joy, Dr. Jackson made the necessary arrangements with her school, and put her on the path to nursing.

Before joining Mount Vernon Towers as Director of Wellness where she oversees the Sandy Springs Personal Care Center (PCC), Mrs. Peterson worked as a nurse in a variety of environments. She has served as both a pediatric and a geriatric nurse, and was employed with an HMO, an OBGYN practice and in a hospice setting.

At Mount Vernon Towers’ in-house Personal Care Center, a dedicated care facility with 28 beds, Mrs. Peterson manages a staff of 17 employees.

“We provide a warm nurturing environment with caring caregivers who are vigilant, and who observe and monitor the residents’ conditions and report any changes to me immediately. If any condition is out of the realm of the expertise we offer at Sandy Springs PCC, I get the right providers involved. I am on call 24/7.”

Open Door

“My door is always open: for our residents, for our staff and our volunteers – and especially for the family members of the people in our care. I encourage families to be involved and active with their loved ones on a daily basis,” says Mrs. Peterson.

“It is our job to create a happy environment, and when we add new staff members I look for team players who are gentle, kind and flexible, and who demonstrate leadership skills that benefit our residents.”

Rehab and Long-term Assisted Living

Mount Vernon Towers’ Sandy Springs PCC is an option for post-surgery recovery and respite up to 30 days, both for Mount Vernon Towers’ residents and for people who live outside the retirement community located in the heart of Sandy Springs.In addition, the Sandy Springs PCC is an option for long-term assisted living as long as people are deemed appropriate by the primary care physician, are able to assist with activities of daily living (dressing, eating, and mobility) and are able to communicate their needs and wishes. A full admissions protocol is in place.

Services and Therapies

At the Sandy Springs PCC, a dentist, podiatrist, dermatologist and a hearing specialist all visit regularly to provide services to the residents of Sandy Springs PCC as well as the entire Mount Vernon Towers community. Skilled nursing is available from outside healthcare providers. Rehab therapies are available through outside vendors including physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

Educating and counseling families is an important part of her function as Director of Wellness at Mount Vernon Towers. “We discuss expectations and have regular care plan meetings. I am here to provide guidance and clarity,” says Mrs. Peterson.

She enjoys the many aspects of her job, from administration to hands-on nursing care. “If one of the residents pulls the emergency cord in their home, the staff grabs the emergency suitcase and get there right away to assess the situation,” Mrs. Peterson explains. “I also organize wellness visits, and share tips for healthy living through our newsletter and social media platforms. My biggest joy is to teach and taking care of people in many different ways.

A big planner with boundless energy, Mrs. Peterson is a current member of the Georgia Gerontology Society and the former Vice President and President of the North Georgia Hospice Nurses Association. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their two grown children and four grandchildren, and are active members of the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church, where she is part of the Health and Wellness ministry.

For more information about Sandy Springs PCC, please visit www.mountvernontowers.com. To contact Mrs. Peterson to discuss rehab or assisted living care, please call 404.255.3534.