Welcome to the Team

Masonic Villages promoted Mark Kurzenknabe to director of children’s services for the Masonic Children’s Home effective on Jan. 1. He is the successor to Virginia Migrala, who retired in December 2020.

Mark is responsible for the overall direction, planning and supervision of the Masonic Children’s Home. He organizes and develops goals and objectives for staff to complete tasks and solve problems.

Mark joined Masonic Villages in 1999 as a recreation therapist and has served as the assistant director of children’s services for the Masonic Children’s Home since 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation and leisure services management from East Stroudsburg University and is currently enrolled in the Strategic Leadership Master’s Degree program at Elizabethtown College.

Dr. Leigh Ann DeShong was named the medical director at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown on April 1. In her new role, she provides professional oversight for the provider practices within the Masonic Health Care Center.

Dr. DeShong, a geriatrician with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, and completed her residency and geriatric fellowship at the University of Rochester. She has been an attending physician with Masonic Village for nearly five years and the lead physician participating in COVID-19 clinical meetings.

Dr. John Mast, who previously served as medical director, will remain with Masonic Village as an attending physician, a role he has held for over 20 years.

Paul Blymire has been named the director of purchasing and materials management. He joined the leadership team on Feb. 19. His office is located on the Elizabethtown campus.

Paul has more than 10 years of experience in supply chain, procurement and business operations, as well as strategic sourcing, standardization and business process mapping. In his new role, he is responsible for planning, organizing and directing purchasing, materials acquisition, storage, processing and distribution functions.

He is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania.

Nicole Watson joined Masonic Village at Elizabethtown as the new director of nursing on Jan. 22. Nicole guides and leads the nursing leadership team and is responsible for the overall management of the nursing department. As part of her responsibilities, she effectively communicates with the nursing department staff as well as other departments throughout the facility to help ensure quality care and effective teamwork.

A registered nurse, Nicole earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Juniata College. She is currently pursuing an MBA in healthcare management from Western Governors University.

Nathan Ott has been named project manager of facilities and grounds for Masonic Village at Elizabethtown and began his new role on March 5.

He is responsible for overseeing the successful completion of projects, working in a wide variety of construction and maintenance fields. He also assists in the development of long-range capital plans, as well as management of capital construction projects.

Nathan has been employed in facilities design and construction for more than 20 years. He completed his associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, bachelor’s degree in structural design and construction engineering/management and post-graduate studies in business administration, all from Penn State University.

The Pinnacle of Wellness

The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) and NuStep recognized Masonic Village at Elizabethtown with the Pinnacle Award as North America’s third best-in-class for successfully fostering a wellness-centered environment to benefit all who live and work in its community.

The ICAA NuStep Pinnacle Award goes to those ranked among the top 5 “Best in Wellness” senior living communities in North America.

Masonic Village offers wellness opportunities for staff and residents to address unique needs.

“Across all disciplines, departments and living areas at Masonic Village, we strive to give people a variety of opportunities to live well and feel their best,” Stacy Schroder, director of wellness and prevention, said. “This journey looks different to each individual, so it’s important to offer more than just a gym or classes. You have to consider the whole person and what motivates and fulfills them.”

Masonic Village’s wellness opportunities include farm-to-table meal choices, 12 miles of walking paths and a holistic wellness center with fitness and aquatic classes and professional staff. To address mental and social health, residents can take part in support groups and clubs, attend mental health courses and find assistance with transition from one care level to the next. Resident participation on committees and regular meetings hosted by executive director Mike Rowe empower residents and staff to provide input on programs and initiatives.

Resident Sue Digruttolo believes attitude is the number one component of wellness. She and her husband, Terry, exercise in the Baird Wellness Center and participate in classes. They walk, bike, golf, swim, garden and volunteer.

“Any type of physical or mental activity anyone could want is available through the wellness center,” Sue said, “or if not, will be developed. As I age or my health changes, I can count on the wellness center to keep me as fit and healthy as possible.”