New Associate Director joins ‘healthcare setting unlike any other’ at Reid Health PACE
June 5, 2024 -- Britney Johnson is pleasantly surprised by Reid Health PACE.
With a 15-year background in healthcare, Johnson was drawn to the program's community connection and its team approach to caring for senior residents to help them live at home independently for as long as possible.
Johnson joined Reid's Program of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) as the Associate Director on April 15, transferring from Reid OB/GYN.
Each day brings new possibilities for PACE and reinforcement she's right where she belongs.
"PACE has exceeded my expectations," Johnson said. "It's unlike any other healthcare setting I've worked in coming from a Radiology and OB/GYN background. PACE is unique in the type of all-inclusive care offered to participants."
As Associate Director, Johnson oversees the day-to-day operations as the interdisciplinary team assists participants to live at home with services to meet independence and well-being. She ensures compliance with regulations set by the state and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Building and maintaining relationships with participants, community members, and the center's 37 staff members is also part of her responsibilities.
PACE opened its doors on Richmond's west side in November 2020. The program serves senior residents of Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Randolph, Union, and Wayne counties.
To qualify for services, participants must be 55 or older, live in the service area, eligible for nursing home-level of care, and can live safely in the community with assistance from PACE.
Each participant has a unique plan developed by the interdisciplinary team based on their needs for primary medical and nursing care, meals and nutrition counseling, social and recreational activities, medication management, and more. Caregivers have access to a support network and resources.
"There are different disciplinaries that come together and create personal care plans specific to each participant needs," Johnson said. "You can tell the care team is dedicated and loves what they do, which makes it a wonderful culture to work in."
In the months ahead, Johnson and the PACE team are building goals for the center, including plans for a health fair in September. Several vendors will be on-site to offer free services, tours will be available, and more activities are being planned. Participants and community members will be welcome to attend the health fair for free at the PACE Center, with details to be announced soon.
Johnson finds it rewarding to see participants benefitting from PACE as they thrive and maintain their independence.
"I know the positive impact PACE has on the people we live beside in our communities." -- Britney Johnson, Associate Director for Reid Health PACE
Johnson is a graduate of Richmond High School. She attended Indiana University Bloomington before enrolling in Reid's School of Radiologic Technology, completing her certificate in 2008. She's a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Radiology.
She began her career in Radiology at Fayette Regional before joining Reid Radiology in November 2012. Johnson later transferred to Ultrasound in Reid OB/GYN and served as the Practice Manager for the office in 2022-2023 before returning to Ultrasound. While working, she earned an associate degree at Ivy Tech Community College. She received her Bachelor of Applied Science degree at IU East in December 2023.
Johnson lives in Centerville with her husband, Justin, and their daughter, Kamille, and son, Jayce.
To request more information or to schedule a tour, call Reid Health PACE at (765) 935-8959 or visit https://www.reidhealth.org/pace.