Assisted
Living at an affordable price – designed to fit the individual
choices of today's seniors.
Northridge
Center opened in 1994 as the first Licensed Assisted Living Facility
in Southwestern Oregon. The concept for Northridge Center originated
with Jacqualine Connell, a licensed nurse. She envisioned a place
that was not only bright, warm, and like home, but also met the
State licensing requirements for Assisted Living. She dreamed
of a place where holidays and special occasions were celebrated
with music, good food and fellowship. Each resident would have
a private apartment furnished with their own belongings. They would
enjoy the independence in their own living area in addition to
the comfort of being part of an extended family.
Northridge
Center is a bright place….filled with life
and music.
It has the
Valley’s largest indoor atrium with over four
hundred plants providing nature’s pure oxygen throughout
the building. Brightly flowered carpeting and paintings add vivid
color everywhere.
 There are two grand pianos (an eight-foot 1862 Chickering Grand
made of Brazilian Rosewood, and a beautiful black Young Chang grand).
There is a Krakauer studio piano handmade by the Amish in Pennsylvania,
a three-manual theater organ, two other modern organs and a elegant
1896 Miller pump organ. The Connells are a musical family. Four
of them are accomplished singers and Les is a pianist.
There is a paved walkway around the buildings and two exterior
courtyards for residents who wish to spend time outdoors. All throughout
the building are original oil paintings and elegant antiques, which
have been in the Connell family for decades.
Northridge
cares about the whole resident….physical, emotional
and spiritual. The company’s mission statement and Statement
of Core Values clearly express that truth. Our licensed nurse
observes and monitors the health and physical well-being of every
resident. Northridge places a high emphasis on nutritionally balanced
meals with a variety of foods; including a daily salad bar offering
a choice of fresh green vegetables. Dr. Franklin Ross serves as
Northridge’s
nutritional consultant. The Center continually strives to enhance
the spiritual contentment and emotional well-being of those living
there. The Center employs a full-time activity director, and every
Sunday a retired ordained minister and his wife faithfully conduct
a church service.
About the Connell Family
 Jackie was raised in the profession by her mother, Martha, a single
parent of three who worked hard to raise her kids and instill within
them her values of respecting and caring for the elderly. Martha
owned nursing homes in the Portland area and Jackie was raised
working in them.
Jackie and
Les married in 1968 while he was serving as a commissioned officer
in the U.S. Army. When Les was discharged in 1971 they joined
with Jackie’s
mother to purchase another small nursing home just outside of
Portland. The privilege of caring for the elderly and disabled,
fostered within Jackie a life-long dedication to the senior community.
During these years, Les was employed as an accountant with the
U.S. Forest Service. When he was transferred to Medford, Oregon
in 1974, they sold the nursing home in Portland, however, their
commitment to the elderly remained.
The next five years were devoted to the births and parenting of
their three daughters; Tamara, Memory, and Andrea. Finally, in
1980 the opportunity to re-enter the nursing home field came with
the purchase of the Rogue Valley Care Center. For the next 14 years,
Jackie Connell was the owner and administrator of this skilled
nursing facility.
As an extension to Rogue Valley Care Center, Northridge Center
was built and began operating as an assisted living facility. Les
retired from the Forest Service in 1994 and focused his energies
on opening and managing Northridge. In the year 2000, Rogue Valley
Care Center was remodeled and converted to assisted living, merging
with Northridge Center.
 Northridge
Center truly is a family business. Tamara Oliver, the oldest
daughter, is one of the administrators, working as the Administrative
Medication Assistant. She holds a BA in business/music and is
the worship leader at Shepard’s Way Church in Ashland.
She is a single parent of a young son.
 Memory
Dent and her family moved to Medford in 2004 after her husband
retired from the U.S. Army. Having worked in the medical field
at Madigan Army Hospital, she was eminently qualified, and took
the course work to become an Administrator. She is now the Operating
Administrator and bookkeeper for the facility.
 Andrea
Southmayd, the youngest, is a third grade teacher in Eagle Point.
She enjoys visiting with the residents and staff at Northridge
on her breaks from school. She was able to bring her third grade
class to sing Christmas carols and hand out home-made cards to
the residents this year (all the holidays at Northridge are celebrated
with music and good food). Andrea’s husband is a member
of the pastoral staff at Living Waters Church in Medford.
Jackie
has been a licensed nurse since 1967, and in 1971 became Oregon’s
youngest Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Today, she is one
of the Administrators of Northridge Center, and maintains her
licenses as a nurse. Les is the lead Administrator of Northridge
Center. He holds a Masters of Business Administration degree
and still works part time as a contact auditor with the U.S.
Forest Service. Les volunteers as one of the State Officers and
pianist for Gideons International.
All who walk through the doors of Northridge Center are immediately
aware of the unmistakable impression of a caring family dedicated
to providing the best nursing care with the comforts of home.
Our
Mission Statement
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Northridge
Center exists to bring honor and glory to God by looking
after and caring for the fatherless and widows in their
need in accordance with James 1:27. |
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