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At the heart and soul of all we do is our team of professionals who have one mission: make our home yours.
It’s one thing to say we care. It’s another thing to prove it. Watch the video at the right to see just how committed we are to excellence in care, no matter the obstacle. Then meet the everyday heroes of Woodland Ridge in Smyrna, Georgia below.
Executive Director
LPN Resident Service Director
Danielle Avery has been an LPN for the past 13 years. Over the last six years, she has served as a director in assisted living environments. Danielle’s knowledge of acute and sub-acute care, together with her ability to work as an excellent team manager has been a gift to the seniors she has served. She is committed to bringing families top-rate communication, while understanding and celebrating the dignity and independence of your loved one. When not at Woodland Ridge, you can find Danielle traveling or making a great seafood boil with her two beautiful daughters.
Memory Care Engagement Manager
Chiquiatha (Keeta) Keeton keeps the Woodland Ridge memory care neighborhood running smoothly on a daily basis by providing oversight, activities, leadership, and joy in the moment for all our residents. In her seventeen years of service, Keeton has given much to the seniors she lovingly serves. If one thing stands out when interacting with Keeton, it is her passion for seniors and her understanding of the special needs of memory care residents.
Engagement Director
Director of Marketing
Robert Dixon is a single father of two young men from the mid-west. Robert has been in the senior care field now for over seven years. Best known for always sharing a smile, his high positive energy and never in shortage of a friendly hug. Spending most of his career as Resident Program Director on a corporate level, Robert was excited to transition roles from corporate programming to non-profit sales and marketing. Accepting his position as the Director of Marketing, he is continuing his mantra to “Help make the golden years as golden as possible!” With his passion for serving seniors and desire to be a blessing to others, Dixon is thrilled to be a part of the Woodland Ridge family.
Director of Maintenance
On any given week, you can see Oscar all over the Woodland Ridge property. He may be painting the front porch rocking chairs, fixing the air conditioner, ordering new blinds for someone’s room or you may find him leading a smiling resident in an impromptu dance. Oscar has many years of property maintenance, but he feels truly called to be working on a senior living property. Oscar is currently completing his certification as a licensed HVAC contractor.
Geriatrician
Dr. Radhika Mudiyala has a medical practice in Smyrna, Georgia, where she specializes in internal and geriatric medicine. She has over 22 years of experience in the field of medicine. She is a participant in the Medicare Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Incentive Program, has extensive training in Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program and extensive training in the Medicare Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program. She makes geriatric care easy at Woodland Ridge by seeing residents weekly and is excellent with follow-up calls for any questions or needs.
Dentist
Dr. Cohen’s traditional dental practice is located in Marietta, Georgia. He has continued to study and expand his horizons to include increased attention to elderly patients and their in-house needs. Dr. Cohen and his staff are currently caring for the dental health of residents in many senior communities and nursing homes in the Atlanta area.
Optometrist
Dr. Saunders earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in 1983. Dr. Saunders is a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), and the Georgia Optometric Association (GOA). He is also a Fellow in the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists and belongs to the AOA Low Vision Section. He has frequently lectured about low vision care, macular degeneration, and ocular nutrition.
Dietary Manager
Richard is from Talladega, Alabama growing up just 2 blocks from the speedway racetrack. He says his mother helped her younger siblings so that there were 7 of them in the household when he was growing up. Richard’s mother worked in his high school lunchroom which may be where he got his calling to the dietary field. You’ll recognize Richard by his great smile and his friendly, caring attitude. All our residents love the attention he showers on them!
The Wanda Braziel Award was named after a former board member who believed in continuous quality improvement and aspiring to the highest standard of care.
To celebrate the tenure of our staff and award our most noteworthy leaders, we give the Wanda Braziel Award each year to one recipient.
2023 Anna Williams
2023 Paula Patterson
2022 Felecia Coleman Wright
2021 Juana Sanchez Martinez
2017 Keeta Keeton
2017 Kathryn Trice
2016 Jesse Harden
2015 Turea Ingram
2014 Calvin Traylor
2013 Nyalingba Suso
2012 Cynthia Macavoi
2011 Veronica Echevercia
2010 Nyalingba Suso
2009 Turea Ingram
Chaired by Robert Fink JD as Chairman and founder of Woodland Ridge as well as Ridgeview Institute, our Board is comprised of local community servants and leaders. The Board meets bi-monthly and provides needed oversight and governance to our community.
Its members include Paul Black Senior Vice President of Vinings Bank, Frank Sartor, CEO of Ridgeview Institute and Kenneth McRae owner/founder of Smyrna, GA based Complete Care Solutions, LLC.
