Meet Susan Skoda,
Business Manager at Avila Home Care!
Originally from Rockville, Maryland, Susan has extensive experience in administrative business management, and has worked in the HVAC and financial industries for two decades. Susan began her career working with The Trane Company in their Washington, DC office, and transferred to the Baltimore office when she got married. Next, she worked at T. Rowe Price in their sales department, and was promoted to Executive Assistant to the Managing Director. After 5 years at T. Rowe Price, she left to raise her two girls, and then returned to the HVAC industry, this time with Central Tech Services as Executive Assistant, where she worked for 12 years.
A parishioner at Grace Fellowship Church, Susan learned about Avila’s good work from Founder Danny O’Brien, who inspired her to work for this mission-driven company. “I love working at Avila because it allows for me to pursue both my purpose and my passion- growing and learning through serving others.” In her role as Business Manager, Susan is responsible for overseeing Avila Home Care’s payroll and billing, as well as the Human Resources Department.
“I have the gift of mercy- I always try to teach my daughters to treat everyone with compassion and empathy.” Susan loves learning about the stories of both Avila’s clients and their Caregivers, “they encourage me to be a better me. So many times elders in our society are just pushed aside, and Avila Home Care treats every single client with dignity and takes the time to listen to and offer what they really need.”
Susan loves spending her time outside of work volunteering with her husband at church with student ministries and other activities. She also delights in musicals and theater, and making cards (rubber stamping) with friends. Susan has been married for 30 years and has two grown daughters- one is entering her senior year of college, and the oldest is married and lives in Carroll County with her husband. Susan is looking forward to someday becoming a grandma!
Read about our other wonderful staff and nurses at Avila Home Care!
Life, Liberty and Chemistry- Avila Client Margaret Sellmayer
Margaret Sellmayer has abundant wisdom and a quick wit to share with Avila in this feature story. A renowned chemist for decades, loyal to her family and friends, and a woman of deep faith, at 92 years old, Margaret is a remarkable Avila Home Care Client, as well as long-time Oak Crest Senior Living Community resident and an inductee into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.
Margaret shares, “The secret to a long life is (1) faith in God and (2) a positive attitude- I have a lot to be grateful for; God is good!”
Read More...Meet Jill Drees, Avila Home Care’s Director of First Impressions!
Jill brings to Avila Home Care over 25 years of experience as a Caregiver and Counselor in private homes, assisting living settings and nursing homes. Jill grew up in Baltimore County and in Northern Virginia. In 1993, she received her Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling from the University of Maryland. For eleven years, Jill…
Read More...Preparing Your Home for Aging in Place
The home care providers at Avila Home Care outline several steps you can take to ensure that your home is a safe and supportive environment for you as you age. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies, there are five key features that make the homes of seniors aging in place comfortable and safe…
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