“I was one of many who participated in the task force for new dining standards. Your training materials are consistent with those new recommendations.”
Sandra F. Simmons, PhD,
Associate Professor: Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine
Institute of Medicine & Public Health
Center for Quality Aging
“I have hired Cindy as a trainer and worked with her as a presenter. She is a passionate professional who is committed to enhancing the dining experience of residents in the long-term care setting. Her passion for education is unparalleled and reflected in the quality of training she does. I would recommend Cindy and Higher Standards to anyone seeking to enhance their level of customer service and the quality of their dining experience.”
Sarah McEvoy,
Administrator: Villa Crest Nursing and Retirement Center
“The skills you are teaching are so applicable. My staff is already doing a better job. I can’t wait to have everyone experience the class.”
Cathy Phillips,
Administrator: Town & Country Nursing Home, Town & Country, MO
“Since we implemented Kind Dining® training, residents eat better, socialize more, and have family members come to eat with them. They are not just eating for nutrition, they are eating for quality of life. We’ve always had low rates of significant weight loss, but now we have no unexpected weight losses. Now that our dining rooms support socialization at mealtime, people aren’t eating because “the dietitian says they have to,” residents eat because they are happy and want to–and because they have choices about what they eat. Spouses and family members come frequently for mealtimes, so we’re helping to preserve those important bonds and foster new relationships throughout the community. The staff has gotten to know the residents much better and have even learned people’s dining preference, departments are cooperating like never before, and we are all focusing on meeting the residents’ needs. There are just so many aspects that have come together at once, you really need to see it to realize the depth and breadth of what is going on here–and we’re doing all this on a nursing home budget!”
Kathy O’Hara, RD,
Dietician: Villa Crest Nursing Retirement Center, Manchester, NH
“Teamwork starts in the class. The atmosphere at Town & Country is now friendlier.”
Debbie Lindemann,
Regional Director of Nursing: National HealthCare Corporation, St Charles, MO
“Dannon and I are enjoying teaching the class. The employees almost always come into the class with doubts that they should be there, especially those employees from departments other than Dining Services. Once the class gets started they all really seem to enjoy the class and usually, all are participating. We have received positive feedback from EVERY person who attends the class. There are always a few staff members who stop and thank us for teaching the class and express how much they learned. We will continue promoting positive customer service through the implementation of Kind Dining.”
Amy Van Oordt, RD, LD,
Director of Dining Services: Bethesda Meadow
“As a new hire of Bethesda Dilworth, it was my pleasure to recently attend Kind Dining instruction. Just my first impressions of the course…I see how the Kind Dining principles connect with life experiences.
Thanks for your hospitality passion!”
Linda J. Seffens, MBA, RD, LD,
Director of Dining Services: Bethesda Dilworth
“Cindy is a knowledgeable, articulate, polished speaker who is passionate about her work as an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) volunteer mentor and in her company, Higher Standards. Cindy often speaks on topics of nutrition, long-term care, and dining services at AND and other venues. Cindy’s involvement in the food and nutrition industry is a definite asset to all lucky enough to work with her. I regard her as an expert and never hesitate to ask her advice regarding food, nutrition, or business. As my mentor through the AND mentoring program, Cindy has really inspired me. Cindy, I thank you!!!”
Vera Bartasavich, BA, DTR
Nutrition Coordinator: Nestle USA
2012 Ohio Dietetic Technician of the Year
At-Large Delegate for Dietetic Technicians: House of Delegates, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
“Cindy definitely brought “warmth to the table” at Bethesda Healthgroup, Inc. with her “Kind Dining” training. Within days of the training the employees had connected with Cindy’s ideas, and these brought positive results not only for the residents but for the employees too. Cindy’s “passion for hospitality” continues to flourish within Bethesda Healthgroup. Thank you Cindy.”
Shelley Carley, RD,
Director of Food and Nutrition: New York Presbyterian Hospital
“I actually found the workshop inspirational and full of new insights to better serve residents.”
Kayla,
Server: Independent Dining Room: The Springs at Missoula, Missoula, MT
“Candice came back from the training and said it was so beneficial, we are going to train our entire staff in Kind Dining.”
Delvin Zook
CEO: Rock of Ages Mennonite Home, McMinnville, OR
“I really like how this training is formatted toward the servers. We often forget they are the ones who can make a difference simply by their approach, skills, and knowledge.”
Lisa Maynard,
Executive Director: The Springs at Clackamas Woods, Milwaukie, OR
“This training is exactly what we need, and it’s all in one place. We’ve been using restaurant server training videos and tell our servers to ignore many of the concepts covered. Kind Dining® training is perfect for our serving staff.”
Channon Larson,
Former Director of Operations: Willowcreek Management, McMinnville, OR
“Your workbook is clever, entertaining, thought-provoking, soul-searching, and full of common sense.”
Brigitte Burke RD,
NHC AVP Dietary Services: National Healthcare Corporation, Murfreesboro, TN
“Module 2 of Kind Dining® was the most interactive session and made us realize the challenges our residents have everyday.”
Molly Robinson,
Food and Beverage Director: The Springs at Clackamas Woods, Milwaukie, OR
“As a result of Kind Dining® training I can honestly say our servers look better and 100% of them are visibly washing their hands often.”
Sandra Bruce,
Dining Room Supervisor: Springs at Clackamas Woods, Milwaukie, OR
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