Homeland quality assurance leader Jim Zorich sees care all around

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Jim Zorich out and about in his role for Quality Assurance at Homeland Center

Jim Zorich frequently heard from fellow physical therapists about the high expectations placed on Homeland Center staff. When he started working here, he understood why.

“If you truly care about the residents and everybody that’s involved with Homeland, the work is not hard, and you’re going to enjoy your job,” he says.

That distinction ripples into the lives of residents and their families.

“We focus on meeting the residents’ needs,’’ he says. “There are always activities going on. The nursing staff is always present.’’

Now, Jim Zorich is in a new phase of life. He recently went from physical therapist to Administrative Assistant of Quality Assurance, becoming responsible for upholding Homeland’s renowned quality of care.

Born and raised in the northwestern Pennsylvania town of Warren, early-on Jim saw a chance for a fulfilling career in physical therapy. He graduated from a seven-year doctoral program at Gannon University in Erie.

“Physical therapy is changing and evolving all the time,” he says. “There is constantly research being conducted for evidence-based therapy that will help ease pain and improve strength. There’s never a point where you’ve truly mastered or know it all.”

Jim’s innate passion for helping people became ingrained while in college after undergoing treatments and surgeries for a lifelong, hereditary condition associated with certain cancers.

“I know what it’s like to need help from other people,” Jim says. “After realizing how important life is and how little time we have on earth, I decided I wanted to make a difference.”

While still in college, Jim came to Harrisburg for an internship. There, he met his future wife, Allison, so he returned and found a job with Genesis, a physical therapy provider. Homeland was one of his clients; this led to an offer to work for Homeland HomeHealth, a community outreach program providing a full continuum of in-home, physician-ordered medical treatment.

After more than two years with Homeland HomeHealth, another opportunity came Jim’s way. With his knowledge of operations at many levels, was he interested in overseeing Homeland’s quality assurance?

He transitioned to his new role as Administrative Assistant, Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Educator in mid-2019. He assures strict adherence to quality procedures in nursing, dietary, housekeeping, and maintenance, helping sustain Homeland’s five-star Medicare quality designation.

Delivering quality care, Jim says, takes attention to detail and a listening ear: “Having a good rapport with everybody, you’re able to meet the needs of the residents.’’

He credits his success to his parents, Ronald and Voula Zorich. Both have long worked for Warren General Hospital; Voula as a medical technician and Ronald as imaging manager. It was his parents who urged him and supported him to become an Eagle Scout, even as he played baseball and took AP courses in high school.

“They taught me perseverance, to overcome your challenges in life,” he says. “Everybody encounters adversity. Everyone thinks they’re alone, but we’re all fighting our own battles. That mindset helped me get through my medical issues. It’s something you fight through, deal with when the time comes, and get back to reality.”

Jim enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and weightlifting. He and his wife, Alli, are huge fans of Penn State, her alma mater, and hold football season tickets. Most years, Jim and Alli travel to bowl games, but they didn’t this year because they are embarking on a new venture – parenthood.

Homeland supports Jim and his colleagues through all of life’s journeys, he believes.

“Homeland makes employees feel important and gives them the confidence they need to do their jobs,” he says. “Happier staff leads to happier residents. I know that I’m part of something bigger. At Homeland, it’s not just a job. It’s a community.”

2020 Homeland Lottery Calendar Winners Announced

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Homeland Center 2020 Lottery CalenderA Homeland Center Lottery Calendar is truly a gift that keeps giving – to its owner as well as the community!

Not only will the $25 collected from each calendar benefit Homeland’s benevolent care fund, calendar owners have a chance to win $30 daily prizes and between $50 to $100 on 24 special days throughout the year.  Once you purchase a ticket, it remains active for the rest of the year – winning tickets get returned to the drawing.

Only 1,200 will be sold so don’t delay!  Homeland Center’s 2020 Lottery Calendar is the perfect gift for yourself or that special someone!

The final winners for the 2020 Homeland Center Lottery Calendar have been drawn; checks were mailed this year for a total of $11,635.00.  Be sure to participate in the 5th Annual Homeland Center Lottery Calendar.  Thank you to everyone for your support.

Recent Winners:

12/1/20 Heather Bittenbender
12/2/20 Lana & Alex Duke
12/3/20 Kim Miller
12/4/20 Rick Sleber
12/5/20 Lou Ann Julian
12/6/20 Barbara & Vic Morrison
12/7/20 Beth Schluter
12/8/20 Jan Beverage
12/9/20 Sharon Webb
12/10/20 April Evanitsky
12/11/20 Christian Fairfax
12/12/20 Jayne & Charles Wilson
12/13/20 Jackson Klick
12/14/20 Joseph Stine
12/15/20 Jennifer Stoner
12/16/20 Mary Warner
12/17/20 Connor Kettoman
12/18/20 Dolores Arndt
12/19/20 Todd Young
12/20/20 Samuel Levine
12/21/20 Deb & Sam Burd
12/22/20 Mamie Williams
12/23/20 Mel Weaver-Jason Brinkley
12/24/20 David & Alyce Duke
12/25/20 Sara Arndt
12/26/20 Georgia Wheeler
12/27/20 Bob Clemens
12/28/20 Christopher Hanshaw
12/29/20 Gale Schlechter
12/30/20 Denise Murray
12/31/20 Bob and Tara Frank

Order your 2020 Lottery Calendar, please go to https://homelandcalendar.fasttransact.net/ (sold out) or contact Ed Savage at esavage@homelandcenter.org or 717-221-7885.

A full list of 2020 Lottery Calendar winners is available here; 2019 Lottery Calendar winners, click here; or 2018 Lottery Calendar winners, click here.

Warm thanks to all of our supporters for helping us serve the Central Pennsylvania community for more than 150 years.