Values in Action: Celebrating Engagement at Oakwood Health Services

At North Shore Health, our values aren’t just words on a wall- they guide how we show up every single day. This month, we’re proud to spotlight Kaiya Shrader, Executive Director at Oakwood Health Services, and her team for truly bringing our value of Engagement to life. 

Kaiya has taken something ordinary and simple, and transformed it into something powerful. Each month, she builds an Employee Experience Calendar that highlights national celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, and meaningful milestones. With just about 30 minutes of planning, she transforms ordinary days into moments of connection; whether it’s celebrating National Pretzel Day, handing out bee pens on the first day of spring, or organizing a fun dress-up day. 

These small, intentional acts have a big impact. 

“They feel recognized. It gives them something to look forward to, it boosts attendance, and it creates great energy,” Kaiya shared. “I’ve always believed that when you support your staff and make them feel seen and valued, they provide better care for the residents.” 

And that belief shows up in the culture at Oakwood. 

Kaiya doesn’t just emphasize random celebrations; she tracks individual milestones like graduations, certifications, and personal achievements for the staff. Through this consistency, she’s built an environment where people feel genuinely seen, celebrated, and connected. 

Bambi Sikora, Vice President of Success, describes it best: 

“What I love most about Oakwood is how our team consistently shows up for one another. There’s a real sense of pride and compassion- you can feel it the moment you walk in. Because of this culture, employees feel empowered, supported, and proud of the work they do. Engagement isn’t something we have to create- it’s something we nurture every day.” 

That culture is also evident to those they serve. 

Tyler Brandt, Sr. Vice President of Success – Operations, shared: 

“Engagement is not just a value for the Oakwood team- it’s a way of life. Whether it’s a coworker, resident, or family member, the team is fully present in every interaction. In the past six months, that commitment has been reflected not only internally, but through multiple 5-star reviews from residents and families. The impact this team has made in their community is incredible.” 

Eden Lewan, Vice President of People & Culture, added: 

“From CNAs and residents connecting during dress-up days, to being handed an Oreo with a note that says ‘You’re Oreo-dinarily awesome’- the Oakwood team knows how to create joy. Engagement here is intentional, visible, and felt throughout the community.” 

Kaiya’s leadership reminds us that engagement doesn’t have to be complex, it just has to be consistent, thoughtful, and rooted in care. 

By investing in her team, she’s strengthening not only culture, but outcomes for residents, families, and the entire community. 

Thank you, Kaiya, for making engagement a lived value at North Shore Health. 

#ValuesInAction #Engagement #NorthShoreHealth