When Samantha Wojcicki joined The GreenFields Continuing Care Community around Thanksgiving 2022, she began as a per-diem member of the wait staff. From three days a week in that role, she quickly took on full-time work, earned several promotions. She is now Director of Dining Services at GreenField Court and Manor.
Samantha had previously worked in restaurants but had a young baby, so in 2022 the per diem role with more structure and earlier hours caught her attention. “I’m a chatterbox, I am a go-go-go kind of person,” Samantha said. “So waiting tables in this kind of atmosphere, this is my jam.”
Asked what she enjoyed most at start of her GreenFields career, Samantha said, “It was the residents that really stuck out to me, and then eventually the employees; I grew such a tight bond with some of them.”
When job opportunities with added responsibility came up, Samantha was interested. “As I got into new positions, I got to really see what the company offered,” Samantha added. “They saw potential in me, and I appreciated that, and moved up.”
GreenField Court and Manor Executive Director Chantal White helped Samantha along the way, emphasizing attention to detail, focusing on high-quality service to residents, and providing professional guidance. “She’s believed in me,” Samantha said of Chantal. “Anytime I’ve needed help, her door has always been open.”
Samantha also noted the support of GreenField Court and Manor Assistant Administrator Kristy Kyler. “She’s my go-to person for venting and thinking outside of the box!”
Receiving the Employee of the Year Award, nominated and voted in by her colleagues, was a big honor and encouragement too.
Samantha is part of Lineage Care Group’s High-Potential (HiPo) Staff Leadership Development Program. It is an initiative across Lineage alliance members The GreenFields and Schofield Care, designed to identify, develop, and retain internal talent by preparing high-performing staff members for future leadership roles.
As Director of Dining Services, Samantha has a broad set of responsibilities. “I run the whole kitchen and the waitstaff… I’m in charge of the Creekside Bistro, the Manor dining room, and the Court dining room.” Samantha is proud of the dining services team, noting that some members of the waitstaff have worked alongside her since she started.
One of her favorite aspects of the job is preparing special birthday meals for people at GreenField Court, the assisted living residence. Samantha will facilitate any safe food that a person wants for their birthday, from specially-made dishes to a favorite restaurant’s fish fry or pizza.
That program started when one resident approached Samantha about another’s longtime wish to have a liver sausage sandwich. She recalled, “This resident called me to his apartment and said, ‘Sam, what can we do? I want to give him this, but I can’t cook it. What if I buy it? How can you help me give him this liver sausage sandwich?”
The meal wouldn’t fit within the dining menu, but Samantha talked it over with Chantal and figured they could arrange something special. Now, custom birthday meals are a special treat that every Court resident can enjoy.
“If it wasn’t for this resident caring for another, I would have never come up with birthday lunches,” Samantha explained. Taking care of people, from their nutritional needs to small, happy moments, matters a lot to her.
“That brings me the most joy, when I get to do those things,” Samantha said.
