Fond Farewells and Warm Welcomes

Until Carlos G. Beato’s first day of work at the Holland Christian Home, he didn’t expect to be here for long. 

“I had just stepped down as a CEO in New York and was looking forward to retirement with my family,” recalls Mr. Beato, who became the Home’s interim Administrator in 2017. Filling in at the Home on a temporary basis, his goal was to recruit new leadership and move on. But on his first day, something changed.

“From my very first day here, I felt something I’ve rarely seen in healthcare,” Mr. Beato recalls. In his 45-year career as a nurse, administrator, consultant, and leader, he has seen countless hospitals and senior living homes. Even so, he believes “this is one of the three truly special places I have worked in.”

For Mercy Martin, who joined as Director of Nursing at the same time as Mr. Beato and is now succeeding him as Executive Director & Administrator, the feeling was the same. 

“The Holland Christian Home is exceptionally different,” she said. “There is no place like it.”

Those first impressions are no surprise to Carole Dykhouse. With her ties to the local community, she knew all about the Home long before she became Assistant Administrator in 2016. 

For her, the Home’s reputation always preceded itself as an oasis in an industry known for its challenges. While too many facilities prioritize business over people, the Home “is that rare place filled with people who truly love each other.”

Every senior living facility likes to market itself as a family. But for many at the Holland Christian Home, it’s a simple truth. 

“We are more than co-workers,” said former Director of Finance Karen Bandstra. “We are brothers and sisters, pulling together for the residents.”

Mr. Beato and Ms. Dykhouse retired this March, and Ms. Bandstra retired in December of 2020. For all three, it was a bittersweet farewell to a place they love dearly. 

But they know it is in good hands. 

After a promotion to Executive Director of Clinical Services in 2020, Mercy Martin, LNHA, CALA, RN, began her new role as Executive Director & Administrator this April. Besides her diverse experience in acute, non-acute, for-profit and nonprofit settings, Ms. Martin has held roles as a dietitian/nutritionist, nurse, MDS Coordinator, Director of Nursing, and Administrator.

Joining Mercy is Assistant Administrator Charlotte Vriesema. Vriesema knows the Holland Christian Home well. First employed at the Home as an Activities Assistant in 2012, she quickly advanced to many new positions, including critical roles in human resources and operations. Ms. Vriesema brings with her a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Health Administration from Centenary University. 

Finally, Michael Sico joined the Home as Director of Finance in December of 2020. Mr. Sico has a decade of experience in financial management and administration, including six years’ experience in the roles of Chief Financial Officer or Controller and five years in nonprofit settings. With deep New Jersey roots, he knows Bergen and Passaic county exceptionally well.

As a Home, we are so grateful for the hard work and loving dedication of our serving leaders past and present. Most of all, we are thankful for God’s provision and His guiding hand through every season. 

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The Home wishes a fond farewell to the following long-time employees. Thank you for your service to the Holland Christian Home family!

Not pictured is Gina DeSimone, one of our wonderful cooks here at the Home. She was with us, serving our residents for 32 years!