Stacey Clark, RN
Co-founder & CEO of Virtuous Senior Living
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Qualifications:
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28+ years of experience in senior care
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Licensed Registered Nurse
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Former member of the board, of Parkinson's Support Group of Brevard
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Former member of the board, Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA)
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Lives on the Space Coast with her husband, Burt and their four children
Meet
My Why
From a young age, I knew my calling was to help others, to be a nurse. Though my journey wasn't without obstacles, including a setback in college, I persevered with the mantra that where there is a will, there is a way. I completed the paramedic program at Eastern Florida State College, and then immediately started nursing school. Throughout my training, I worked at the Fountains of Melbourne, as I had since I was 15.
Through my dedication to residents and pragmatic management approach, I rose to the position of Executive Director by the end of my 20-year stint at the Fountains. I loved it there, but I had outgrown it — I needed a new challenge.
After leaving the Fountains, I have overseen operations at more than a dozen facilities around the state and been exposed to several more through colleagues and associations. The more I was exposed to the corporatization of senior care, the more convinced I was that I needed to strike out as an entrepreneur. It became increasingly difficult to be at the mercy of corporate leaders who would say they value people and yet take actions that tell a different story.
So, I climbed off the corporate ladder and started Virtuous Senior Living. My friend and colleague of over 20-years, Jamie Lemon, and I had been toying with the idea for months, considering the possibilities of becoming business partners. We would catch up and swap stories from our respective roles in corporate senior living, and through those conversations, three things became clear:
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Three things became clear...
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The senior living industry is shifting off course as the focus detours from caring for humans to hitting the bottom line.
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There is a way to deliver high-quality, human-centric care while hitting financial goals. We have proven it time and time again throughout our careers.
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Enough talking about it, it was time to roll up our sleeves and fix it.
In the picture frame is a photo of young Stacey Clark and her Grandfather Stan fishing. This core memory, with many others, reminds Stacey why she is passionate about caring for seniors and celebrating each moment.
One of the most important lessons learned from my grandparents and my mother is the value of hard work. That’s a phrase that gets tossed around a whole lot, but my family lives it every day. For us, it means when you see something that needs to be done, you don’t assume someone else will do it, you jump in with dedication and love. The ultimate goal of your work should be to be of service to others.
This is what Jamie and I have set out to deliver with Virtuous Senior Living. It's not just a business; it's a manifestation of our heartfelt commitment. Our approach prioritizes the residents, and we know that starts with finding the right staff and taking care of them. We are determined to help like-minded owner-operators discover the wholehearted and sustainable way to deliver high-quality senior care.
"...when you see something that needs to be done, you don’t assume someone else will do it, you jump in with dedication and love. The ultimate goal of your work should be to be of service to others."
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– Stacey Clark, RN | Co-founder and CEO of Virtuous Senior Living