Editor’s Note: The McKnight’s Long-Term Care News Daily Update and McKnight’s Senior Living Daily Briefing e-newsletters are profiling each of the McKnight’s 2020 Women of Distinction honorees now through the July 28 online awards celebration. To learn more about the 2020 McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum events July 28 and 29, where attendees will be able to earn continuing education credits, see mcknightswomenofdistinction.com.
Shannon Watson’s success as the administrator at Forbes Road Personal Care facility over the last five years is no surprise considering her past in the healthcare field.
Prior to working in assisted living and long-term care, she was a group counselor for young girls and women struggling with drug and alcohol addictions while attending graduate school. She would later serve as a mental health therapist and school counselor. She also helped veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder as a therapist for The Angelus Personal Care Home.
Her selflessness and willingness to help others has been instrumental in her ability to remain complaint-free on surveys during her tenure as administrator, all while keeping census high. Watson also is known to sit through extra hours of training and classes to ensure that her staff members are training properly and have every tool necessary to succeed.
Watson earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology/sociology from Johnson C. Smith University and a master’s in psychology from North Carolina Central University. She’s currently working toward her doctorate in healthcare administration at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Outside of her work as an administrator, Watson has been an active member at her church, Petra International Ministries, volunteering as a Sunday school teacher, serving on its hospitality committee, and being a mentor and tutor for local children.
Her dedication to her community has been instrumental in ensuring that Forbes Road is connected to the neighborhood. Through her guidance, the facility has been able to adopt a class at a local elementary school, provide a safe place for children to trick-or-treat during Halloween and allow local students to celebrate holidays with residents.
Such selflessness and dedication to those around her showcase why Watson is not only a rising star in the healthcare industry, but in her community, as well.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare. The Silver sponsors are OnShift and PharMerica, and the Signature sponsor is Acadia Pharmaceuticals.
