October 2, 2025 —As the September equinox approached, I reflected on many aspects of IT (Information Technology) and IS (Information Systems). “IT” involves managing the Kendal System’s hardware infrastructure, which supports our systems and enables them to communicate. “IS” oversees our software platforms that manage medical records, human resources, marketing communications, financial management, culinary, operations, vendor relationships, and file sharing. Additionally, IS includes innovating how we use and analyze our data to maximize its value.
Everyone at The Kendal Corporation and in the Kendal System has been working hard in these technological areas of our house. Not just your technology engineers, but your leadership groups have made technology a focus. As a result of the January 2025 Security Sprint Group, our migration to Microsoft SharePoint has been underway. We have built the secure Kendal Cloud and have begun the process of configuring it with security policies that will protect our data and reduce the risk of cyber intrusion as we begin using this new infrastructure. I have been traveling around the system, working with all department heads, and providing training and strategic planning for the project. A project like this is an opportunity to reorganize how we work and what data is needed; I’m proud to see how the Kendal System has responded to the task. This kind of effort will only produce the best possible result.
In August,we welcomed Sean Spencer, Data Analyst, to the IS team. Sean will be building data dashboards and applications for every area of the house to bring real time data to leadership teams to assist them in making highly informed strategic decisions. Additionally, Sean will be providing Robotic Process Automation within various platforms we use that will help make day-to-day manual clicking through forms automated and allow Kendal team members to focus on people. Sean has already proven to be a wonderful addition to the team – we’re excited for him to meet and work with more folks in the system.
This week, I hosted a two-day working session with the IT Wide Area Network (WAN) Sprint Group, where we began designing the new WAN for The Kendal System. Team members from Collington, Kendal on Hudson, Kendal at Lexington, Kendal at Hanover, Enso Village, and Kendal at Oberlin gathered at Kendal at Oberlin with Kurt Rahner (CTO) and me to kick off this project. During the session, we established security standards based on the work of the System CEOs and their teams to set cyber security standards and practices. We also reviewed options for the next-generation firewall and network security platforms that will serve as the new perimeter defense for our technology infrastructure. It was a highly productive meeting.
Our effort to modernize and secure our infrastructure is a once-in-a-decade initiative in most businesses. We are dedicated to doing it right, building a reliable foundation for future growth. This collaborative effort has been exciting and uniquely possible in a federal system like Kendal. Once the Sprint Group completes its work, we will present the results to the larger System’s IT Peer group for review and feedback, helping us refine and finalize our approach. The project is scheduled to go into production in the first and second quarters of 2027.
Together with members of the System’s Health Services departments, CEOs, and Affiliate residents in Louisville, Kentucky, we will visit Thrive—a center dedicated to showcasing innovation and promoting healthy aging. Our focus will be on exploring the extensive range of advanced technologies available in the Senior Living industry that can enhance the quality of life at home. This initiative aligns with the strategic planning Kurt and I are leading with all Affiliate leadership teams, guiding them in developing smart home technology strategies for future pilots, tests, and eventual implementation across Kendal Affiliates. Together, we aim to define core pillars of senior living technology and select solutions that excel in performance, reliability, and security. We aim to choose lasting, effective technology that works seamlessly for us.
As I saw the leaves turning in Ohio, I was reminded that autumn is my favorite season because it’s the beginning of a year-long process of renewal. While modernizing our technology can seem like a fantastic renaissance, it will provide a space where, together, the transformation of the aging experience is possible.