News

If you ask Constance Cole where her passion for nursing began, she will tell you it started long before she ever put on scrubs. It started at a nursing home front desk, answering phones as a receptionist. It started with watching her mom and aunt care for residents with patience, humor, and heart. That early […]

For more than five years, Joanne McKay-Whittington has been a familiar and much-loved presence at Oakwood Residence. A licensed cosmetologist with over 30 years of experience, Joanne visits our community every other week, bringing not just her professional skill, but warmth, creativity, and genuine connection. Joanne spends her days traveling between communities, yet Oakwood holds […]

There aren’t too many people who can say they have lived through two global pandemics, but Gussie Leven has! Gussie recently celebrated her 103rd birthday in style at Oakwood Residence, a Personal Care Community on Red Lion Road in the Northeast with a beautiful gala birthday celebration that brought together her family, including her son […]

Always cheerful, easygoing and laughing, Bernice enjoys socializing, and sharing a good joke. We truly enjoy having Bernice as part of our family and are delighted to share her fascinating life story. Bernice Elaine Martin (affectionately known as ‘Niecy’ to her family, and ‘Bern’ or ‘Bernie’ to her friends) was born Bernice Elaine Muse on […]

Beverly Palucis, PT & Shira Shifrin, OT A dynamic duo, Beverly and Shira both work full-time for St. Mary Home Care – part of the Trinity Health System. Beverly graduated from Temple University with a master’s degree in Physical Therapy and has over 20 years of experience in various healthcare settings including acute care, inpatient […]

It is our great pleasure to name Alma Halstead as our Employee of the Quarter! As a valued Activity Assistant at Oakwood Residence for two years, Alma is an extremely kind, lively and outgoing member of our team. She has endeared herself to our residents by always going out of her way to help others. […]

Joe is one of the younger residents at Oakwood Residence. His rehab journey began when he was admitted to the hospital, immobile after being struck by a car as a pedestrian. He suffered eight fractures as a result of the accident. Joe has been one of our residents since July 2019, when he transferred here […]

A critical member of our team, Debbie St. Peter has been at Oakwood Residence since November of 2011 but involved in geriatric care for over 36 years. A native to northeastern Philadelphia, Debbie began her career as a CNA, then went to nursing school. “I enjoy working with geriatric patients. It’s been very rewarding,” she […]

A lifelong native to Philadelphia, Dolores Kimmel, affectionately known to all as Dee, has led a full and busy life as an accomplished ballerina, dance teacher, figure skater, and black belt in karate. Over the years she has built a rewarding legacy as an artist, wife and mother. Coming from a long line of prima […]

The youngest of six children born to Dr. and Mrs. Laurence M. Codori, John was reared in Philadelphia in an area known as “Swampoodle” and was educated in the Catholic School system. He attended grade school at St. Columba’s and graduated from Roman Catholic Boys High School in 1950, where he was a member of […]