Administrator of York Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and The Hamilton Assisted Living Chosen As Future Leader in Long-Term and Post-Acute Care

YORK-One local employee in the healthcare field has been chosen to participate in a distinguished national program as a future leader in the industry.

Virginia Health Services announced on Monday, June 27 that Elizabeth Cabusora, administrator of York Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and The Hamilton Assisted Living in York County, has been chosen by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) as a national, future leader in long-term and post-acute care.

Cabusora will join AHCA/NCAL’s Future Leaders program, a year-long endeavor that provides extensive training and guidance for industry professionals. Cabusora is the only representative from Virginia in the program.

“I’ve known Elizabeth for a number of years, and I’ve been really impressed with not only her growth, but her heart and her passion for the work that she does,” said Virginia Health Services Vice President of Operations Don Lundin, who nominated Cabusora for the program. “I see her potential and her growth, and we certainly need strong leaders in our profession because it’s not getting easier. I was just thrilled that they selected Elizabeth as the representative for Virginia.”

Cabusora is originally from the Philippines and immigrated to the United States in 2003. She says her cultural ties of respect for the elderly laid the foundation for a career focus in long-term care.

“I was really wanting to go into public service that was geared toward the elder ages,” said Cabusora. “There’s a real need for that. When I was still there, there weren’t enough services, and no one was really fighting for elderly rights.”

She started working with York Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and The Hamilton Assisted Living in June 2021. Prior to that, she served in supervisory and leadership roles in nursing and assisted living communities, receiving her administrator’s license in 2020. She became a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in 2005, and then earned her licensed practical nurse (LPN) degree. Cabusora will complete an MBA with a concentration in project management in October.

AHCA/NCAL developed the Future Leaders program in 2004. Selected participants demonstrate both leadership potential and represent the interests of state and national long-term care providers. The program covers modern theories and practical applications in quality management, customer satisfaction, and leadership.

“I am thrilled to welcome Elizabeth to our newest class of Future Leaders,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, in a prepared statement. “In the midst of a historic labor crisis in long-term care, we need to continue to develop leaders in the profession that will help us build back our workforce of health care heroes. Elizabeth and our other Future Leaders will help transform our profession for the better, and we are honored to help them develop their careers in this rewarding sector.”

Cabusora said she’s grateful to work with an organization that shares her vision of long-term health care.

“We have a team of people who share a passion for caring for the elderly and our residents in the community,” said Cabusora. “I have worked for other organizations in the past that were based on profit. What drives people who work here is that we’re all focused on what is being done for the residents and the team that makes it happen.”

AHCA/NCAL represents more than 14,500 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers, and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities.

Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia Health Services is locally owned and has provided senior living and health care services since 1963. The organization specializes in the continuum of care from active lifestyle independent and assisted senior living communities to skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. With over 1,200 employees, Virginia Health Services offers a variety of personalized skilled health care, outpatient therapy, home care, and hospice services by specially trained staff in residents’ homes.