Announcing Leadership Transitions & Succession Plan

As the Spirit of Progress helps to evolve and change the Holland Christian Home for the better, the Home is committed to ensuring that leadership remains strong for years to come.

With that goal in mind, the Home is blessed with an opportunity to implement a series of leadership transitions over the course of the next year.

Executive Director & Administrator Carlos G. Beato, LNHA, RN, and Administrator of Residential Services Carole Dykhouse, RN, CALA, formally announced their retirements effective March 31, 2021. Mr. Beato and Ms. Dykhouse have led the organization together since early 2018.

After March 31, 2021, Mr. Beato will continue to support the Holland Christian Home in a limited capacity each month as a consultant strategic advisor.

Beginning April 1, 2021, Director of Nursing Mercy Martin, RN, LNHA, CALA will become the Home’s Executive Director & Administrator. Ms. Martin has been at the Home since early 2018 and brings a wealth of experience, having worked in acute, non-acute, for-profit and nonprofit settings. She has held roles as a dietitian/nutritionist, nurse, MDS, Director of Nursing, and Administrator.

In preparation for this transition, Ms. Martin was promoted to the position of Executive Director of Clinical Services on August 1, 2020. In addition to her current responsibilities as Director of Nursing, she now oversees several additional departments. Social Services, Food Services, Activities and Pastoral Care report directly to Ms. Martin, who will continue to report to Mr. Beato until March 31, 2021.

Additionally, it was announced that Human Resources & Education Coordinator Charlotte Vriesema will be promoted to the position of Assistant Administrator. In the interim, Ms. Vriesema’s present responsibilities will continue expanding until she fully steps into her new role. Ms. Vriesema earned her Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Health Administration from Centenary University, and she has been at the Home for six years.

Director of Finance Karen Bandstra formally announced her retirement effective April 30, 2021. Ms. Bandstra has served as the Home’s Director of Finance since 2003.

Director of Housekeeping Services Angel Garcia announced his resignation after nine years of service, effective July 31, 2020. Director of Maintenance Nino Gorga was promoted to the position of Director of Environmental Services on August 1, 2020. He oversees both the Maintenance and Housekeeping departments and has been with the Home since early 2018.

Finally, Public Relations Coordinator Philip Kline was promoted to the position of Director of Admissions & Public Relations on August 1, 2020. Mr. Kline has been with the Home since 2017.

“We are blessed to be able to implement these transitions over a planned period of time,” Mr. Beato said. “This creates sustained opportunities for training and professional development. We look to the future with confidence in God’s continued loving care.”

Pictured above are some of the HCH Leadership Team, including Director of Nursing Mercy Martin, Director of Housekeeping Angel Garcia and Director of Finance Karen Bandstra (top row, third, fifth and sixth from the left) and Executive Director & Administrator Carlos G. Beato and Administrator of Residential Services Carole Dykhouse (bottom row, third and fourth from the left).