The Stratford’s Laura Gomez Wins 2022 Supernova Award
Executive Chef Takes Home Highest Honor
The Supernova Award is the highest individual honor that our company gives and each year. One individual on the leadership team at The Stratford is voted by their colleagues as the community’s Supernova based on an assortment of criteria. Each year during the Senior Living Communities Annual Meeting, the winner is revealed and given a customized crystal award at the company’s formal Supernova Awards Evening. The criteria for voting is based on upholding our company’s mission to be caring professionals dedicated to quality services. Additionally, this individual will consistently deliver excellent customer service (to Members, families, and colleagues), lead positively with integrity, take accountability, put the team before themselves, and embody the company’s vision to create communities where people live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
This year, we are proud to congratulate our Executive Chef, Laura Gomez as the recipient of the 2022 The Stratford Supernova Award. This honor was bestowed at the Senior Living Communities Annual Meeting on Thursday, July 28th at The Omni Grove Park Inn, in Asheville, North Carolina. Chef Laura makes our full-service dining program the best restaurant in town. This is done through her leadership and supervision of the culinary team, commitment to quality and diversity of food and compliance to local and state regulatory agency standards.
Laura enjoys traveling to new places and learning about their cultures and recipes that she can implement in her life back home. It brings her joy when Members of The Stratford get to experience new meals and tell her what their favorite menu items are each week. When she’s not at work she spends as much time as she can with her sons and dog, Lexi watching basketball games and relaxing at home.
Interview with 2022 Director of the Year, Laura Gomez
Congratulations on being chosen as a Supernova! How do you feel?
I was very surprised and grateful to have won. I was emotional when I heard what my team members had to say about my hard work and was so touched by their kindness.
What’s your favorite part about your position?
I enjoy interacting with our residents and seeing them enjoying their meals. Coming up with new recipes is always a fun challenge to keep things interesting!
What do you want people to know about working in a retirement community?
Hard work pays off when you can see the impact we have on our residents’ wellbeing. You feel like you’re making a difference in the lives of the individuals and can see it firsthand.
What is your favorite thing about working for Senior Living Communities?
I am so appreciative of my team members and staff support. The community has a strong core value of teamwork and “People First Always”, so there is always someone willing to jump in and help out without even being asked.
What’s a quote or inspirational words that influence/impact you and why?
My daily motivation is to ”treat each day like a fresh start.” We have the chance to make each day a good one and always have the opportunity to change the negative events into positive ones.
Positions that are eligible to vote and win the Supernova Award include: HR Director, Resident Care Director, Assistant Resident Care Director, Care Services Administrator, Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, Resident Care Director, Lifestyle Advisor, Lifestyle Advisor – Care Services, Transition Specialist, Social Director, Wellness Director, Director of Facility Services, Director of Dining Services, Executive Chef, Client Services Manager (Live Long Well Care).
