Cheryl Harding, vice president and senior executive director of the Wesley Court Retirement Community in Abilene, has been named president and CEO of Fort Worth’s James L. West Alzheimer Center.
Board Chairman James Korth announced the appointment Feb. 12. Current President and CEO Susan Farris will retire Feb. 22. Harding’s first day is Feb. 26.
“I am committed to bringing quality care and services to older adults in every stage of their lives, especially those who suffer and care for those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia,” Harding said in a news release.
Farris joined James L. West in January 2004. She is only the second president and executive director in the center’s 25-year history.
“The James L. West Center is one of Fort Worth’s finest healthcare assets and it has been a joy to lead this special group of professionals,” Farris said. “I am thrilled that Dr. Harding will be my successor. She’s the perfect choice.”
Harding earned a Ph.D. in Family Studies (Gerontology) from Texas Woman’s University in Denton. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She was awarded her Licensed Nursing Home Administrator certificate by Texas in 2003 and selected as Administrator of the Year in 2007 by LeadingAge Texas.
Harding and her husband, Glen, have two teenage sons and four adult children, two who live in the north Dallas area.
Highlights of Farris’ tenure include the launch of the center’s highly-regarded Community Education and Outreach department, expansion of formalized medical professional training and direction of the Center’s transformative $12.5-million reconstruction project, from vision through completion.
Farris served on the national board of directors of the American College of Health Care Administrators, and as Texas chapter chairman. She received ACHCA’s national award for Distinguished Service in 2016. She was a member of the board of directors of the Texas Health Care Association for 11 years and has been active with the public policy committee of LeadingAge Texas
In 2017 she received LeadingAge Texas’ Excellence in Advocacy Award for her years of leadership in bringing awareness of eldercare issues to the Texas Legislature. The Fort Worth Business Press recognized her in 2017 as an Outstanding Mentor.
Korth said Harding was hired after an “extensive and exhaustive search.”
“Her compassionate nature and her diverse and extensive background in gerontology are going to be a tremendous fit for the residents and staff of the Center, as well as the North Texas Community,” Korth said in the news release.
“While Susan heads into her well-earned retirement, her vision and steadfast dedication to the center over the past 14 years will be missed. We know her shoes are large ones to fill, but we are thrilled Cheryl will take the baton in stride,” Korth said.
Coincidentally, Ferris became a licensed nursing facility administer 30 years ago on Feb. 22 – and Feb. 22 is her final day at James L. West.
She lives in Springtown but says she will be spending some of her time with her parents in Beaumont.
“After 30 years of caring for other people’s parents, it is time for me to care for my own,” she said. “And I don’t want to miss this time with them – they are 94 years old.”
