The Peaks, a premier senior living community in Flagstaff, is announcing the appointment of Valerie James Hunter as executive director for the skilled nursing facility, effective immediately. The appointment was announced by Craig Edinger, vice president of senior living & health care, The Goodman Group, who manages The Peaks, A Senior Living Community. As executive director for the skilled nursing facility, Hunter plays a key role in overseeing the management of all departments and processes, and skilled nursing care for the residents.
“Valerie has extensive experience in public health administration and is a proven leader in all aspects of managing and overseeing skilled nursing facilities and long-term care administration, while maintaining a positive work culture and achieving excellence in customer service,” said Edinger.
Hunter brings 20 years of experience in Public Health Administration and teaching to her new position. She started her career as a licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Arizona and served as a program manager for Arizona Department of Health Services. She has demonstrated great leadership and is passionate about the well-being of seniors and others among vulnerable populations. She has served in several key administrative management roles within several public health projects, and was an advocate/senior support services provider and consultant for more than seven years.
Most recently, she worked at Aidan Health Services, Inc., a skilled nursing facility in a rural critical care access hospital in Oregon. She has presented information in Oregon to the Governor’s Commission on Seniors on rural health care delivery and challenges.
In Arizona, she created health care related promotional materials, and made numerous presentations to legislators, the governor’s office, department of health and other audiences. She drafted the State Stroke Plan for Arizona to share with diverse audiences.
She is also an experienced educator. She was part of the Instructional Faculty for the University of Phoenix, Apollo Group Southern Arizona Campus, for Health Sciences for bachelor and graduate level adult learners focused on Nutrition, Health Education, Healthcare Policy, Healthcare Administration and Infrastructure.Hunter has a master’s degree in Public Health and a bachelor’s of science degree from The University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz.
In 2013, she became a Certified Eden Associate of The Eden Alternative. The Eden Alternative is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to creating quality of life for elders and their care partners, wherever they may live. She is licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Arizona and Oregon. She has a lifelong interest in healthy living, promoting the benefits of health, nutrition and exercise. She ran the adaptive aquatics program for the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind, and taught exercise and nutrition for many years.
About The Peaks
The Peaks is a senior living community located in Flagstaff, Ariz., and offers independent and assisted living, memory care, skilled care and a rehabilitation center to seniors in the area. The Peaks operates in partnership with Northern Arizona Health Care and is part of Intergenerational Living and Health Care, a 501 c 3 that focuses on bringing elders and children together for life enriching experiences. The Goodman Group manages the Platinum Service® community. For more information, please visit www.thepeaks.org.