Bridge at Columbia recognized as Best Assisted Living Facility, welcomes new director

The Bridge at Columbia, an assisted living facility, celebrated winning the Best Assisted Living award this week and welcomed newly-appointed executive director Chester "Chet" Matheny.

U.S. News & World Report awarded the Best Assisted Living award to the Bridge at Columbia due to its outstanding community, staff and quality of caregiving, according to the publication.

Matheny, the new executive director at the Bridge, explained that the facility sticks by its mission and core values.

"We also have an amazing staff here at the facility that understands what their purpose and passion is, and it's caring for the senior population," Matheny said. "When those things merge, it makes for a really good community. That's what we've got here."

Residents spent time with their family and one another as music played in the background. Members of Columbia Fire and Rescue were also present.

Hannah Miller, CFR's public information officer, said they attended to welcome Matheny and spend time with the residents of the Bridge.

"It's important to have a good relationship with everyone ... [the Bridge] is a big supporter of fire and rescue," Miller stated.

Matheny described the industry of senior living and care as ever-evolving.

"I walked into a really great team here," Matheny said in reply to whether or not he planned on introducing anything new to the program. "It's just a matter of keeping up."

Matheny grew up in the nursing home industry and was always familiar with the expectations.

"I just felt it was my purpose as I got older," he said. "I'm trying to be the best leader I can possibly be and lead the team to success."

He defined success as the resident and resident's family's satisfaction.

"We're going to make sure they're happy here; that's our main goal," Matheny said.

Moving to Columbia from Chattanooga around a year ago, Matheny said, he's settling in to a city he loves.

"I couldn't think of a better place to be to help this community to continue to grow than right here at the Bridge at Columbia,” he said.