Hillcrest Health Services offers the region’s largest continuum of health services for aging adults, including independent and assisted living, in-patient and outpatient rehabilitation, long-term care, memory support, adult day services, certified skilled home health and private duty home care, palliative care, telehealth services, and hospice care. Hillcrest currently serves nearly 1,000 aging adults daily across eight counties in Nebraska and Iowa.  Martha Zubke is the Vice President of Quality and Administration for Hillcrest Health Services.

How did you get started in the business? – My first position out of college was at a hospital in Northern Iowa.  I worked in Human Resources and really enjoyed working with employees and the leadership team.  After a couple of years, I really missed the Omaha area and moved back to work as the Vice President of Human Resources for a hospital in Council Bluffs. In 2006, I began working at Hillcrest Health Services and in 2010 was promoted to a new role, Vice President of Quality and Administration.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The one constant with healthcare is ‘change.’  I am fortunate to work in an environment that provides a variety of different services for our customers.  We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services and the quality of services we provide for our customers.  In addition, each of our service lines are impacted differently by changes in regulatory and licensure requirements, healthcare reform, sequestration, etc.  Learning and understanding each of these areas and how they impact our customers and team members has been an exciting challenge for me. I am fortunate to work with an amazing group of people who are passionate about the care and services we provide.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?  – Working at Hillcrest Health Services.  Every day is a learning experience.  My father was a customer of Hillcrest Country Estates and I learned so much from the team members who provided him care.

Tell me a little about your family. – My husband, Jerry and I have two boys.  My oldest is a senior at UNL and my youngest will be a freshman at UNO.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – I was diagnosed with cancer in 2005.  The advancements in treatment have been remarkable, but we have a long way to go.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Boating or golfing with my family.  My husband and two boys are avid golfers, so I had to learn to play in order to keep up with them.  I really enjoy our time together on the course.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I got to meet ‘Meatloaf’ at a golf outing a couple of years ago.

What are you the most proud of? – My family.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?  – Treat others as you want to be treated.  It’s the Golden Rule.

Which talent would you most like to have? – I wish I could sing.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – I enjoy them all.  I’m a foodie at heart and the metro area has a wide array of restaurant choices to select from.  I love spicy food, so Mexican, Indian and Thai foods are some of my favorite.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Email me at mzubke@hillcresthealth.com or visit our website at www.hillcresthealth.com.