Foulk Living Assistant Director of Nursing Honored as Future Leader by American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living

August 29, 2022 | News | Reading Time 3:00 Minutes

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) for Foulk Living has been selected as the delegate from the state of Delaware for the Future Leaders Program of the AHCA/NCAL.

Tirus has worked in healthcare at Foulk Living for seven years.

In the case of Tirus Macharia, the honor is perhaps a bit of a misnomer. The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) for Foulk Living has been selected as the delegate from the state of Delaware for the Future Leaders Program of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). While it’s unquestionably true that Tirus is destined to be a role model and leader in senior living healthcare, it is also evident that he is already presently serving in that capacity admirably.

Tirus has worked in healthcare at Foulk Living for seven years. The senior living community in Wilmington provides independent living, assisted living, memory support and skilled care. Tirus began at Foulk Living as a floor nurse, working his way up to supervisor, followed by the MDS Coordinator and scheduler. For the past 18 months, as ADON, he is responsible for infection control, training and staff education, and clinical management.

Tirus was initially drawn to working with older adults when he was in high school and caring for his grandfather who had suffered a stroke. “In the process, we developed a strong bond,” he said. Tirus realized, he added, “I had the passion for taking care of people, especially those in the geriatric community.”

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has also completed a Post-Bachelor Premedical Program. Additionally, Tirus is a chemical and biological weapons specialist with the U.S. Army.

Bruce Blalock, who was the Interim Executive Director of Foulk Living, enthusiastically nominated Tirus for the highly esteemed recognition. Noting Tirus’s progression through the organization and leadership role in the Army, Bruce added, “Tirus is also our COVID guru and a key reason that Foulk has been 100% successful at stopping outbreaks, as well as having zero deaths due to COVID during the pandemic.”  Bruce added, “Tirus has strong potential in the field of Long-Term Care, as I have no doubt he’ll become an administrator, executive director, and who knows beyond that.  I believe he fits the Future Leaders qualifications perfectly.”

When Tirus learned about the AHCA designation, he said, “I was a bit hesitant to accept the honor because I feel what I do is what we are all supposed to do, and providing good care should be the norm, not an honor. It is important to realize that accepting the honor will be an acknowledgment that I respect and appreciate my superiors noticing when someone is doing good work, and it will encourage others.” Tirus said that his future plans will be completely dependent on his current role. “I have to really excel where I am now to consider my future career. I feel comfortable and challenged at my current position.”