Meet the Bradford Village Team

Caitlin Cairns

Director of Community Life – IL/AL

Caitlin Cairns is currently the Director of Community Life at Villagio of Bradford Village. She has been with the company for the past 9 years.

Caitlin loves working for Bradford Village and in senior living. “I love the opportunity to work in a long-term residential setting. I love developing deep relationships with people and they become family. I like to say I’m so lucky because I have 100+ grandparents who care about me.”

Caitlin has been with the company for 9 years because Bradford Village has supported her so much in her career. “I’ve been able to grow in my career and job skills, always with the encouragement and coaching of fellow employees and residents. It’s a close-knit community and we really are like family here.”

Caitlin has so many special connections with the residents of our community. Here are just a few:

• Dave Jacobsen (maintenance team) and I shared a special connection with Ralph (passed away 2014). When I started as a brand-new activities director, Ralph took me under his wing and, despite his struggle with low vision, showed me everything – how they liked the chairs set up for exercises, the rules for bingo, etc. He insisted on moving the heavy chairs and tables around for me. He was my right-hand man for running programs at the AL. He also played the harmonica and performed with one of the regular musicians.
• Ralph’s best friend & fellow resident, Ruth, was my best friend’s grandmother (and the reason I started working in senior living in the first place). Those two always kept me on my toes.

Whitney Clark Brown

Life Enrichment – AL

Whitney Brown is the Life Enrichment Director at Villagio of Bradford Village. She has been with the company since December of 2014.

Whitney enjoys being around the residents and hearing their life stories. “There is so much wisdom and life experience in our building, and I am grateful to be able to learn about them and soak it in whatever wisdom they choose to share each day.”

Whitney has been with Bradford Village for so many years because it is a unique community in that it is a little family, everyone truly cares about each other. “The atmosphere is not one of depression and sadness like some other communities. The staff is friendly and great to work with and the residents are a joy to be around. I enjoy going to work every day, and for that, I feel very lucky.”

Whitney has many special connections with the residents she works with. Here is a couple:

• Sallie, Tim and I all have the same birthday.
• Gloria and I have the same love of a tiny town called Tin Cup in Colorado that most people have never heard of.
• I enjoy discussing books and other learning experiences with several of the residents, specifically Gloria, James and Mary Beth.
• Mary, Mona, and I all used to attend the same church.

Melissa Patterson

Director of Sales and Marketing- IL/AL

Melissa Patterson is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Villagio of Bradford Village. Melissa has been with the company for a few months now.

“I have 3 adult children, 1 grandchild, and another on the way. They are my pride and joy. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, attending church, and spending time with my friends and family.

I have been working in senior living for 10 years. My favorite part of my job is meeting new people and hearing all their stories. I love what I do and I strive to be a resource and provide answers, direction, and support in a time of transition or uncertainty. I am so happy to be working at Villagio of Bradford Village with such wonderful residents and staff. I look forward to welcoming many new residents to the Villagio of Bradford Village family.

Jacquelyn Gonzales

Dining Services – AL

Jackie has worked at Villagio of Bradford Village for 8 years. She shares a connection with Charlie, a resident at our community. They both share a love for Tex-mex food and he enjoys everything she makes. Jackie’s favorite part about working at Bradford Village and in Senior Living are the residents and coworkers. Jackie has chosen to continue working at Bradford Village for as long as she has because she enjoys her job. She loves bringing joy to her residents and making them smile.

Kammi Henry

Director of Financial Services – IL/AL

Kammi is the Director of Financial Services at Villagio of Bradford Village. Kammi started working in our community back in 2013. Kammi shares a special connection with all the residents but especially those who love dogs and sports. Sue and Kammi talk about their dogs to each other all the time. Kammi loves working for Bradford Village and in Senior Living because each resident has a wealth of information and experiences from which she can learn. Kammi has chosen to stay with Bradford Village all these years because it is very fulfilling for her. “I cherish the relationships I have made with my residents and at times I don’t even consider this a job. This may be cliché but we really are one big extended family at Bradford Village.”

Dave Jacobsen

Maintenance – AL

Dave works in Maintenance at Villagio of Bradford Village. Dave started working at our community back in 2011 so for 10 years now. Dave shares a special connection with all the residents but especially Ralph. Ralph and Dave’s wife, Peggy, performed a song together and posted it on Youtube. Ralph’s niece from Texas saw the video and Ralph was so excited “We are all over the world now!” Ralph still asks Dave how many hits the Youtube video now has. Dave has stayed at Villagio of Bradford Village all these years because of the residents.

Eric Legleiter

Executive Director – IL/AL

Eric is the Executive Director at Villagio of Bradford Village. Eric has worked for our community for 8 years now. Eric shares a special connection with all the residents but especially ones who are Sooners fans. Eric enjoys working at Villagio of Bradford Village because “It is the only profession where you can make an impact on someone’s life daily.” Eric has stayed in our community for so long because of the associates, residents, and families. “We have a culture here unmatched anywhere.”

Mukesh “Mike” Parikh

Director of Dining – IL

Mukesh, also known as Mike, is the Director of Dining at Villagio of Bradford Village. Mike has worked for our community for a little over 1 year now. Mike shares a special connection with all the residents, but especially Robert. Mike and Robert share recipes and a love for Indian food. Mike enjoys working for Villagio of Bradford Village because “The residents are great and the staff feels like family.”

Tim Ray

Director of Maintenance – IL/AL

Tim is the Director of Maintenance at Villagio of Bradford Village. Tim started working at our community over 7 years ago. Tim shares a special connection with all the residents, but there are a few that stand out to him: Mrs. F. was his 7th-grade teacher, Mrs. H’s daughter is married to his cousin, and he went to school with 6 resident’s kids. Tim enjoys making a difference in his resident’s lives. “When there is a smile there is a way.” Tim has been with the company for so many years because he loves the residents and people he works with. “If you enjoy your job why leave?”

Lydia Stewart

Executive Director of Assisted Living & LPN – AL

Lydia is the Executive Director of Assisted Living at Villagio of Bradford Village. Lydia started working at our community back in 2007 so for 14 years now. Lydia shares a special connection with all the residents but especially James. They both have lived in Minnesota and are both Viking’s fans. Lydia enjoys working at Villagio of Bradford Village because she enjoys taking care of the elderly, getting to know their stories and making a difference in their lives. Lydia has stayed at our community for so long because she loves the residents and staff and she feels needed.

Donna Syth

Concierge – IL

Donna is the Concierge at Villagio of Bradford Village. Donna has worked for our community for 3 years now. “I love the people here at Bradford Village. Our residents come from all walks of life and their love for life inspires me. They have all the qualities you need in life: spirituality, physical activity and mental activity.” After Donna retired she wanted to do something different and came across Bradford Village. “I enjoy and have fun with the people I work with. It makes going to work a pleasure. I feel blessed to work in such a wonderful environment.”