In January 2025, ICH welcomed a new face to head up the Skilled Nursing Department. Natalie Croan took on the role of Director of Nursing (DON), filling a spot previously held by Daryll Whitehead, who transitioned to the role of Administrator in August 2024.
Natalie brings four years of DON experience to ICH, but her resume goes far beyond the responsibilities of her current role. Before taking on her first DON role, she spent several years working as an RN and has worked as a CNA for more than a decade before, giving her valuable insight into the various job duties that nurses of all types fill daily. This insight and experience not only gave her the leadership tools needed to run a nursing unit, but also the ability to understand the needs of its staff and provide them with the support they require to do their jobs effectively.
These valuable skills and knowledge allow her to fit right in with the culture of Inland Christian Home, where she has been well-received by the community of employees and residents. Since her arrival, she has implemented helpful quality control systems that allow the facility to continue to meet the needs of high acuity residents, maintain a healthy census and provide quality care to the residents. Natalie’s approach includes empowering the staff to know the systems and process so they can make informed decisions in the best interest of the residents for which they care.
When we asked Natalie what she likes most about her job, she said, “Seeing my patients happy and thriving,” demonstrating her strong connection with her chosen profession. “When the residents are smiling, we are smiling,” she adds. At Inland Christian Home, Natalie has found a facility that has a great reputation and a community of patients and families who are genuinely nice and understanding of the role that skilled nursing plays in healthcare.
In her free time, Natalie enjoys traveling (particularly to visit her family in Ireland), gardening and spending time with her two rescue dogs. Her dedication to her profession and her commitment to her residents are a welcome addition to Inland Christian Home and the facility’s mission of ongoing culture change.
