Home Company

Certus Company

Our Mission Statement

We believe in providing our residents and their families and our associates with meaning, purpose and success through a culture of collaboration and engagement creating a community where every moment matters.

WHO WE ARE

Our Team

Tina Kendrick is a dedicated professional with a diverse background in the military and healthcare. Starting her journey in the Marine Corps straight out of high school, Tina rose to the rank of Sergeant during her service from 1995 to 2007. While serving, she pursued her education at the University of Phoenix, earning her associate’s degree in healthcare management.
Post-military, Tina transitioned into the healthcare field, initially pursuing nursing where she excelled, graduating second in her class. Her passion for long-term care led her to specialize in assisted living. Joining Certus in December 2022 as the Executive Director at the Waterford Lakes community, Tina discovered her talent and love for sales, which eventually led her to her current role as Corporate Director of Operations, Sales and Marketing.
In her current position, Tina finds fulfillment in assisting families and residents during difficult times, particularly in helping them navigate the decision of memory care placement for their loved ones. With her extensive background in healthcare and her compassionate approach, Tina continues to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Dr. Joshua J. Freitas is an award-winning memory care program developer, researcher, and author. His care and training philosophies have been featured in prominent publications, including Long-Term Living Magazine, Healthcare Provider Magazine, Science Today Magazine, local news channels, and more. Dr. Freitas serves as the Vice President of Program Development at CERTUS Senior Living, Chief Research Officer at the CERTUS Institute, and Chief Educational Officer | Chair of the Board for the National Institute for Dementia Education.
Dr. Freitas has earned a doctorate from the California Institute of Integral Studies with a concentration in Gerontology and Aging Neuroscience. He has also studied Non-Pharmacological Healthcare at Lesley University, Healthcare Economics at Harvard University, and Music Education and Music Therapy at Berklee College of Music. Dr. Freitas holds five certifications related to dementia care and serves on several national advocacy boards for dementia care.
Through his two recent book publications, “The Dementia Concept” and “Joining Grandma’s Journey,” Dr. Freitas hopes to change the way society views individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. A dementia diagnosis should not be viewed as the end of life. “To break the stigmas that impede progress and quality care,” Dr. Freitas says, “we must all advocate for those with memory loss and support their families and friends.”

Theda Heiserman, a Board-Certified Dementia Educator and Dementia Practitioner, serves as the Director of Education and Training at the CERTUS Institute. Her career is marked by a commitment to improving dementia care through research and education. At CERTUS, she leads initiatives to develop educational programs and materials for healthcare professionals and caregivers, incorporating innovative research findings into practical applications. Her expertise and dedication have established her as a key contributor in the field, where she strives to enhance the lives of those with dementia and their caregivers through advanced care practices. Theda is a Certified Life Coach specializing in those on their dementia journey and their care partners.
Theda and her husband of almost 30 years enjoy spending free time together exploring nature, attending community events, spending time with their grandchildren, or taking their 8-year-old beagle on bicycle rides. While she loves music, she is admittedly “tone deaf in a bucket”. She was a Girl Scout leader and trainer for 13 years. Always up for meeting new people or experiencing new things, Theda is a lifelong volunteer. She serves many volunteer rolls with the Alzheimer’s Association including Committee Chair on The Walk to End Alzheimer’s- The Villages, AIM Advocate lobbying for support in Washington, DC, and as a community educator.

Maureen Taylor is the Vice President of Operations for CERTUS Senior Living, bringing over 20 years of nursing experience and a diverse background in healthcare administration. She has held prominent roles, including Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Clinical Operations, where she successfully managed and improved healthcare services. For the past decade, Maureen has been a CORE-trained Executive Director in Florida, demonstrating exceptional leadership and ensuring staff are trained to 100% competency. In her current role, Maureen is pivotal in maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and integrity across all CERTUS operations. She develops and implements comprehensive compliance programs, conducts regular audits, and ensures regulatory requirements are met. Maureen’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence guarantee residents receive the safest and most compassionate care possible. Her hands-on leadership style, combined with her passion for creating a nurturing environment, makes her an invaluable asset to CERTUS Senior Living, ensuring it remains a trusted leader in senior care.

CERTUS

Why we call ourselves a community?

In the realm of senior living, terminology matters. It shapes perceptions and reflects values. While some may refer to spaces designed for memory care as “memory care facilities,” at CERTUS, we prefer a different term: community. Why? Because what we offer extends far beyond mere functionality.

A memory care facility implies a place where necessary tasks are performed—where individuals with cognitive challenges receive essential care. But at CERTUS, we see our residents not just as recipients of care, but as valued members of a vibrant community.

Here, we embrace the essence of community—a place where individuals come together, support one another, and thrive in a nurturing environment. Our mission is not merely to meet the basic needs of our residents but to exceed expectations at every turn.

At CERTUS, we believe that our residents deserve more than just the essentials. They deserve a life filled with purpose, engagement, and joy. That’s why our assisted living communities are carefully designed to foster a sense of belonging and provide amenities that enhance daily life.

From stimulating activities and social events to personalized wellness plans that address the needs of the whole person, we go above and beyond to ensure that every resident receives the care and attention they deserve.

This commitment to excellence is what sets us apart—the CERTUS difference. We don’t just provide memory care; we create communities where individuals can truly thrive. Join us in embracing the heart of community and experience the CERTUS difference today.

COMFORT

Core Values

We lead with integrity

We engage with compassion

We foster creativity

We serve with pleasure

We inspire learning

We strive to understanding

Treat everyone with respect

BRAND

Logo Explanation

The CERTUS logo was created with great care and thought directed toward those we serve. We believe our communities will become your loved one’s home – a place where they feel loved, empowered, and where they’ll create wonderful memories.

Thus, the yellow home. Throughout life we each strive for a healthy balance in all that we do. The Yin and Yang image represents the complementary forces that interact to create that healthy balance.

Our dynamic team provides balance to each resident’s life providing the most beneficial amount of opportunities for socialization, physical wellness, intellectual stimulation and nutritional support.

And lastly, the beautiful blue sky which represents our philosophy that every day is a new day to create opportunities for success where every moment matters.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Redefining Memory Care and Leading the Nation Toward Change

Certus is changing the way memory care is done, leading the way in Florida and across the nation. Our affiliate, the Certus Institute (CI), offers nationally approved training to associates, family members, and community partners. As a standard, we require all of our staff to complete dementia certification and training to validate their skills and understanding of dementia.

In concert with the Certus Institute, our communities partner with like-minded organizations to enhance our services and ensure that we’re in touch with the most up to date research and findings. Some of our organization partners include the National Institute for Dementia Education (NIDE), Lynchburg College’s Beard Center on Aging, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center, and The Byrd Alzheimer’s institute.