‘I’m home’ proclaims Life Care’s new administrator, David Bake

David Bake has found his true calling. The path may have meandered through a few career explorations, but ultimately it brought him to Life Care Center of Ritzville as the facility’s administrator.

Bake and his family began sinking their roots in Ritzville in May, and continue to find the community to be a true perfect fit for them as Bake settles into a role he appeared destined to fill.

“I just love being in this town,” he said. “I would love to be here for the rest of my life.”

Aside from his own attachment to Ritzville, Bake said Life Care Center of Ritzville is a equally committed to being here for the long haul.

“Life Care has a deep commitment to this community. We realize what it means to this community to have this facility here,” he said.

Life Care Centers of America is a privately owned corporation, the largest privately held skilled nursing company in the nation. Uniquely, Forrest Preston, founder and chairman of the organization, has local ties to Ritzville. Another reason the commitment to this community is stronger than ever.

Bake said that his focus is on quality of life for residents and those who use the facility’s services as outpatients.

“We want to ensure the highest quality of life at the highest functionality that is appropriate for that resident,” Bake said. “You can’t go wrong if you do what’s right for the resident.”

Bake was born in Provo, Utah, and has made his way around the country. He graduated from high school in Idaho in 1991 and then completed his college studies at Brigham Young University in 1999. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communication with a minor in business.

During his college years Bake was a staff member on the campus newspaper, eventually serving as ad manager for the last 18 months. His success with the student-run newspaper led to employment with the Daily Herald in Provo, working in the Newspapers in Education program.

Over time he advanced through the ranks of the marketing department. When the newspaper company realigned its staffing, he moved into the role of circulation director. As the newspaper industry commenced downsizing, he was later offered a lateral move to the classified advertising department.

When the transition didn’t feel like it fit well, Bake accepted an offer from a friend to work for an independent computer company.

He would make another career change that led him to Virginia to purchase a maid service. From there he rekindled his passion for caring for others. While his resume crosses a variety of career paths, Bake has long been connected to healthcare.

During his first year of college Bake found himself working as an in-home caregiver. His older brother worked for the state mental hospital and helped him land a job assisting mentally and physically challenged individuals who were attempting to live a normal life on their own.

The work was challenging and stressful at times, but fulfilling in a way that ultimately led Bake back to the skilled nursing industry and Life Care.

“Being a home care giver is not easy. It’s extremely difficult and purely a labor of love,” he recalled.

To become an administrator for a skilled nursing facility, the schooling is readily available, breaking into the business to complete the administrative internship is another story.

Ultimately Life Care provided Bake the opportunity of a lifetime. He and his family relocated from Virginia to Eugene, Ore., where he completed the 960 hour in-facility training required for an aspiring administrator. The training was followed by national and state testing before Bake could truly earn his wings.

The stringent training and testing program is for a good reason.

“Skilled nursing is one of the highest regulated industries in the country,” Bake said.

His chance to land a facility as an administrator came relatively quickly when Kathy Gillis announced her retirement plans, ending her tenure as administrator of the Ritzville facility.

The stars seemed to align at the right moment for Bake, who arrived in Ritzville on May 1.

“I’m home,” he said.

Joining him is his wife, Marnay. They are settling into the community with their four children, Henry, Maxwell, Amelia and Eleanor.

Bake isn’t short on energy or understanding of the importance of Life Care’s role in Ritzville.

He was quick to note that the small rural community is fortunate to have a skilled nursing facility, assisted living provided by Rose Garden Estates and the public hospital district.

Preserving all three levels of service, Bake said, is important for the entire community.

Bake also views Life Care as a center of information and education for those who find themselves relying on Medicare or Medicaid.

“These are systems people have paid into their entire lives,” Bake said. “We can show people what the programs can do for them.”

Bake said both programs provide critical funding for care, but come with complicated strings. He said the Life Care staff is extremely capable of explaining those services.

The facility also provides a competent, qualified staff of therapists who work with Life Care residents and those living in the community who need physical therapy and occupational therapy. The facility, Bake said, specializes in short stay rehabilitation and even outpatient therapy.

“We can do everything right here,” Bake said of helping someone recover from injury, illness or a surgical procedure.

Bake said the most important thing is ensuring a high quality of care. He encourages residents to visit the facility and to ask questions.

“We would like the community to ask questions,” he said. “They should ask questions. We will help them find the answers. I believe that if we take care of the residents and the community, the rest of this operation will take care of itself.”