As of Jan. 20, 2005, NADONA Executive Director Joan Warden-Saunders is pleased to announce that SunBridge Healthcare Corporation has sponsored more than 150 memberships to the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care (NADONA/LTC) for its directors of nursing and supporting clinical consultants. The two-year membership represents a commitment by SunBridge to focus on the importance of nursing leadership and the role it plays in providing quality care.
      Ms. Saunders, executive director and founder of NADONA/LTC, notes that "As more and more long term care corporations invest in the professional development of their nurse leaders, we find that this is reflective in a higher level of performance of these individuals. NADONA is proud of the trust that SunBridge has placed in this association. We commend the decision that SunBridge executives have made to invest in the professional well-being of their directors of nursing.
      Mary Ousley, R.N., executive vice president of SunBridge, states, "Quality improvement throughout the company is heavily dependent upon the systems in place to deliver patient care. The more we can support the nursing leadership at the facility level, both in education and process improvement with the educational offerings through NADONA, the more we can develop the effectiveness of our directors of nursing in managing the systems that result in consistent, quality patient care."
      As the recruiting landscape in long-term care becomes even more competitive, providing employee memberships in professional associations, such as NADONA, is a means for employers to attract and retain quality employees. "We have always felt that the leadership in our facilities is the key to our success in meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations," says Bill Mathies, president of SunBridge. "I am pleased with the tools and assistance that an organization such as NADONA offers. We know that this sort of support helps stabilize this critical leadership role."

About SunBridge Healthcare Corporation
      With executive headquarters in Irvine, California, SunBridge Healthcare Corporation and its affiliated companies are among the nations’ largest nursing home companies. SunBridge and its affiliates together operate long-term and postacute care facilities. In addition, the Sun Healthcare Group family of companies provides high-quality therapy, home care and other ancillary services for the healthcare industry.