Dec. 15—TRAVERSE CITY — The Grand Traverse Pavilions named a new CEO following an intensive three-month search.
Gerald Bodalski of suburban Milwaukee will take charge of the county-owned facility starting in January.
Bodalski currently is an administrator for Alden Management Services in Elk Grove, Wis., where he oversees a 120-bed skilled nursing facility. He has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare management with a special focus on skilled nursing and assisted living.
Alden is headquartered in Chicago, Ill.
A graduate of St. Joseph and Temple Universities, Bodalski has a strong track record working with both internal staff teams and external stakeholders, such as government officials and regulators, said Mary Marois, chair of the county Department of Health and Human Services board which oversees operations at the Pavilions.
"All three finalists were outstanding, but in the end our vote for Gerard was unanimous," she said. "The bottom line for us was experience. We were impressed by the high level of experience he's had in changing conditions, and he's an excellent communicator who constantly reaches out to staff. He comes highly recommended by his references in the nursing home field."
Bodalski will replace interim CEO David Hautamaki, who joined the Pavilions in September during a time of financial and operational turmoil.
He is expected to relocate to Traverse City in mid-January following the completion of a background check and license transfer.
The Pavilions, located on the grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons, provides skilled nursing care, assisted living quarters, respite care and rehabilitation services to low-income senior citizens. It is the largest county-owned facility of its kind in Michigan.
The majority of Pavilion residents — 147 at latest count — live in the skilled nursing facility. Another 50 or so live in the assisted living center nearby, which provides a lower level of care.
The total capacity is 240 beds.