The Waterford Communities have three Assisted Living locations in Lincoln.  The Waterford at Williamsburg located on the corner of 40th & Pine Lake provides Assisted Living care, The Waterford at College View on S. 48th Street offers higher levels of Assisted Living care, and the newest community, The Waterford at Wilderness Hills located behind Kohl’s on 27th & Yankee Hill, provides Memory Care in a home-like setting.  Each community specializes in providing a variety of housing and care needs for mature adults.  Pamela Carlson is the Administrator for The Waterford Communities at Williamsburg and Wilderness Hills.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Getting to share in the lives of people who have experienced so much life daily.  Being reminded that sometimes less is really more.  Our residents lived during an era when times were tough yet they were happier than most people today who seem to have it all.

Tell me a little about your family. – I married my high school sweetheart, Michael and we have two beautiful daughters, Courtney is 15 and Caitlyn is 11.  We live on the family acreage that my husband grew up on outside of Syracuse. We are blessed to live close to lots of our family.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – The second day I began working in Assisted Living over 12 years ago.  I knew that I would do this the rest of my life.  It’s an indescribable feeling to know you are serving your calling in life.

What are you the most proud of? – Learning from the lessons my parents taught me when I was younger.  We had elderly neighbors that we were very close to, and we helped them as they grew older so that they could stay in their home.  I didn’t realize the impact this would have on my life at the time, but I’m so grateful that my parents exposed me to this gift of service to others.  The times I spent with our neighbors are some of my best childhood memories.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – Being organized and having a neat desk.  People used to make fun of me because I didn’t like to leave the office unless all of my piles were completed.  When you work with caring for people, comforting families, and finding enough staff to cover a shift the piles don’t seem to matter so much.

Which talent would you most like to have? – Life-balance.  I’m an all or nothing kind of gal and sometimes I get wrapped up in work or a family project and everything else takes a back seat.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – “Choose Joy” by Kay Warren.  It’s a great reminder that we should choose joy because God already has every aspect of our lives planned out.  We don’t have to figure it out on our own.

What is your favorite TV show? – Parenthood

What is your favorite local restaurant? – La Paz

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Oprah Winfrey.  She helps the world to see that everyone is put on this Earth for a purpose and when you find God’s purpose in life, there is no greater joy.  I’m living this reality!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can reach me by phone at (402) 423-0000 or by email at pcarlson@thewaterford.net