Employee Spotlight: Amy Woods

It takes a group of people to create a sense of community, but sometimes there’s one person in charge of tying everything together.  As executive director of Bristol Village in Waverly, Ohio, Amy Woods is tasked with overseeing the operations of the continuing care residential community – and that includes supporting the needs of hundreds of senior residents. Fortunately, Amy has a long history of improving communities. 

From School to Bristol Village

Amy’s path to National Church Residences started when studying to become a physical therapist assistant (PTA). She began her career working with both children and seniors at an outpatient clinic, followed by a position as a contract therapist where she served at three different nursing homes. Her experience working with those seniors guided her to a new career path.

“When I was working in the nursing homes, I started interviewing nursing home administrators to learn more about what they did,” Amy explained. “I didn’t think the residents were taken care of the way they should be at some of the nursing homes I went to, so I thought that I could make a real difference if I became an administrator.”

That drive to make a difference led Amy back to school to start the next phase of her career. In 2006, she earned her license and was hired as nursing home administrator for a different nursing home. She spent a decade supporting seniors in this role when a new opportunity led to the next stage of her career.

Building a Bigger Community at Bristol Village

In 2016, Amy joined National Church Residences as the executive director at Bristol Village. Amy had learned about the opening from a colleague who was retiring from the position and both National Church Residences’ reputation and Bristol Village’s proximity to home attracted her to the job. With Amy’s extensive background working with seniors, the position was a natural fit.

As executive director, Amy oversees the overall operations for the independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing programs of Bristol Village’s continuing care residential community. Serving in this role means that Amy is involved in just about everything it takes to keep the community thriving, whether its handling regulatory aspects, running outreach, or meeting with one of the several resident committees.

Another major focus for Amy and the Bristol Village team is to reach even more seniors in Southern Ohio. With nearly 350 beautiful homes located across 133 acres of scenic hills, Bristol Village offers seniors an active, independent lifestyle. The problem was that some seniors needed some more flexibility to move into the community.

As National Church Residences’ flagship and first senior living community, Bristol Village has a long history of innovative senior living solutions. The community always offered a life-lease program, but Amy worked with past National Church Residences President and CEO Mark Ricketts to develop a new renting model that provided a more flexible entry point for potential residents. As a result, Bristol Village was able to fill more homes and serve a greater number of seniors seeking high-quality senior living services.

“Helping people and being a part of changing and making a difference in their lives is a big drive for me and a lot of people who work for National Church Residences,” Amy explained. “It’s very fulfilling. If people love helping others and love seniors, then we’re an ideal place to join.”

A Community Close to Home

Working to improve the Bristol Village community is more than just a job for Amy – it’s another way to support the place she calls home. Amy grew up in the area and even graduated from Piketon High School, located a mere 14-minute drive from Bristol Village. 

“Living in the community I serve is very important to me and community involvement is important to me,” Amy said. “I’m on several boards here in the county and like to stay involved that way.” 

According to Amy, working in her community is also significant for another reason – she can stay close to her family. That proximity was especially important when her son Kooper was born in 2016 and spent his first nine months in the neonatal intensive care unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Even when he came home, Kooper was on a ventilator and to this day has many complex medical needs. 

“Children will completely change your priorities and your life in general,” Amy said. “Kooper completely rocked my world. He’s doing so much better now, but he definitely puts things in perspective for me.”

That perspective has helped her enjoy every minute she gets to spend with her family, which recently expanded in July of 2023 when she married Joshua Woods and welcomed two more children into her family. These days, Amy is often busy heading to ballgames or other activities for her five kids, spending her free time in the community that she grew up in and loves. 

Looking for a job where you can make an impact in your community? View our senior living job opportunities and start your next career.