Shirley Truman-Smith has been appointed to United Hebrew’s Board of Directors! Truman-Smith is the founder and former CEO of Therapy Resources of New York. In her new role, Truman-Smith will help to ensure United Hebrew’s vitality as leading senior care provider that is meeting the needs of Westchester’s aging population. The insights gained from her years as a clinician and healthcare executive will be tremendously valuable to United Hebrew’s board.
“We’re thrilled to have Shirley join our board and we welcome the healthcare and executive leadership expertise that she brings. Her background integrates perfectly with what we need to uphold our high standards of care and meet the growing demand for the services we provide,” said Rita Mabli, President and CEO of United Hebrew.
Before being sold in 2016, Truman-Smith’s company operated with over 200 employees for more than 25 years in the New York metropolitan area. Founded based on the need for high-quality rehabilitation services for children and adults in the region, the organization was dedicated to providing the highest quality of care — a factor in her decision to joining United Hebrew’s board, Truman-Smith explains.
“I was attracted to United Hebrew after seeing first-hand the special way their residents are cared for,” says Truman-Smith, who was first introduced in 2018 while visiting a friend’s father in United Hebrew’s care. While touring the facility, she was impressed with the healthcare environment and to see residents involved in an array of activities.
“I was amazed at how happy and engaged the residents were. I had never seen such calmness in a nursing facility. The staff seemed to go above and beyond what’s expected. United Hebrew exceeded my expectations of what senior care providers can deliver,” explains Truman-Smith.
Truman-Smith started her career as a speech language pathologist in the Fairfax County, Virginia public school system. She later worked as an independent contractor in New York City and opened her own private practice in Wilton, CT. She earned a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from George Washington University and a Doctorate in Law and Public Policy from Northeastern University. She has served as a volunteer for The Speakers Club, USA, creating programs to help individuals effectively communicate within the work environment, and was an active member of the Greenwich community, serving on the Advisory Board of Greenwich Hospital and mentoring young students interested in financial literacy. As she puts it, her volunteer work has always focused on “helping others who have limitations in their ability to help themselves.”