Aric R. Spitulnik
President and COO
Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital and Courtland Gardens
Aric R. Spitulnik is the president and chief operating
officer for Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital and Courtland Gardens; he is also a senior vice president of LifeBridge Health. He assumed these responsibilities in 2009, but he’s devoted the bulk of his career to providing quality, compassionate care to some of our most vulnerable patients and their families. Before he took over his current role, Spitulnik served as the vice president of Operations and administrator for Levindale.
Throughout his tenure at Levindale, Spitulnik has championed the Eden Alternative and Neighborhood models of care, which emphasize the healing power of community. He is the architect behind a sweeping culture change at Levindale, which is renowned as an exemplar of post-acute and elder care service. As vice president of Operations, he not only oversaw the overall operations of Levindale – which includes a specialty hospital that treats a variety of complex medical conditions, as well as outpatient services – he personally led the implementation of the Neighborhood Model.
The Neighborhood Model prioritizes the residents’ autonomy by working with their natural rhythms and preferences. It brings resident and caregiver together as allies to help the resident live the richest, fullest life possible. This unique approach to long-term care is the guiding light behind the Households at Levindale, a $31 million expansion on the Harry & Jeanette Wineberg Campus.
As president, Spitulnik lead the planning and philanthropic efforts for the households. This just skims the surface of his contribution: He was integral to the master plan and overall design of the households. Under his leadership, the households became more than just a home away from home – they became home sweet home. There are 84 private suites of bedrooms and bathrooms in six households of 14 rooms each; each household sports a thoroughly modern kitchen, a hearth area and a den where families can gather in comfort. As if this wasn’t splendid enough, there is also a two-story atrium with café, boutique, museum exhibit and other dazzling amenities.
In his capacity as a senior VP for LifeBridge Health, he collaborates with other members of the executive team on strategic initiatives and oversees various departments within the LifeBridge Health system. But his passion for helping others live their best lives isn’t limited to his work at LifeBridge Health. Spitulnik is the chair of Manpha, which is a powerful senior care provider association in the Mid-Atlantic that represents more than 300 senior care provider organizations in Maryland and the District of Columbia. He was on the board of directors for the Baltimore Jewish Council (an agency of THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore) and was co-chair of their Metropolitan Issues group. He was asked to serve on THE ASSOCIATED’s Senior Life Task Force; the aim of this task force is to keep seniors healthier, while remaining in their homes within the community.
Spitulnik has shared his experiences with THE ASSOCIATED’s Baltimore Jewish Council Leadership Development Program from 2007-2008. He is a founding board member of the Association of Households International (AHHI). The AHHI is devoted to improving elder care through education and advocacy. Spitulnik makes time to devote his energy to the Jewish Hospice Advisory Committee.
One of Levindale’s unofficial mottos is L’Chaim, or “to life!” Through his tireless efforts to make the day-today operations of this dynamic facility as smooth as the lives of the patients and residents who call it home, Aric R. Spitulnik truly celebrates life. His work has helped countless families across the greater Baltimore region do the same.
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