Paul serves or has served on various committees and boards.  They include the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine, the Sonoma County Healthcare Disaster Planning Forum, the Sonoma County Managed Medi-Cal Planning & Implementation Group, the Sonoma County Health Action Committee for Healthcare Improvement, and the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board.  He has been a member of the Professional Advisory Committee of Heartland Hospice in Santa Rosa, the Board of Advisors of SIRUM (Supporting Initiatives to Redistribute Unused Medications), St. Joseph Health Palliative Care Service Steering Committee,  and is a member of the Sebastopol  CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), is a graduate of the Police Citizen Academy in Sebastopol, California and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy.  

CALTCM:  Brief background of your training and practice setting and years in practice.

Mr. Duranczyk:  Paul has served as the Senior Administrator of Creekside Rehabilitation & Behavioral Health in Santa Rosa, California since 2004.  A native of Michigan, Paul has been a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator since 1983.  He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Management from Ferris State University.  Paul has served in leadership positions in various health care settings to include assisted living, behavioral health, skilled nursing, and post-acute care.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators

CALTCM:  What are you passionate about in long term care?  How are you pursuing your passion?  

Mr. Duranczyk:  Person-centered care.  By focusing on residents as individuals and supporting caregivers working closely with them.  It involves a continual process of listening, testing new approaches, and changing routines in an effort to individualize the care environment.

CALTCM:  What advice would you give to a new graduate contemplating a career in long term care?

Mr. Duranczyk:   Jump into the pool!  It is so much fun and gratifying.  It just keeps getting better… 

CALTCM:  What additional training do you wish you had that may help with your current practice?    

Mr. Duranczyk:  Organizational development and behavioral health training.

CALTCM:  How has CALTCM impacted your practice?

Mr. Duranczyk:  CALTCM has assisted greatly in keeping current with best practices.  Additionally, affiliating with the network of mutually committed professionals is inspirational.