John Thomas’ email signature includes an Irish proverb that reads, “Laughter is brightest in the place where the food is good!” For the past 31 years, Thomas has worked for Life Care Center of Valparaiso as the director of Food and Nutrition Services. Responsible for daily operations of the dietary and food service department in the facility, part of his mission is to help enhance the healing process and overall care experience.
“I have always had a heart to serve others, especially the geriatric population,” Thomas said. “My mother worked her whole life as a nurse's aide, and my father served the public as a police officer. I grew up understanding the satisfaction my parents felt at the end of their work day. They taught my brothers and me, leading by example as we were growing up.”
Thomas was born in Pennsylvania and was raised in a northern suburb of Philadelphia called Willow Grove, the hometown of First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. He is a graduate of Upper Moreland High School and obtained certifications in Dietary Management and Food Protection from the certified dietary management program offered through Auburn University in Alabama.
“I have a certification in Dietary Management and have more than 30 years’ experience in both commercial and healthcare food service,” Thomas said. “My work history includes managing fast food restaurants as well as full-service restaurants before I came to Life Care Center of Valparaiso.”
Thomas draws from his life experience, as well as his experience being father of three grown children. Through the years, he would make them nutritious meals.
“When my kids were 8, 5 and 2 years old, I raised them on my own after my divorce,” he said. “Needless to say, these three have been my greatest accomplishment and have made me so proud and honored to be their father.”
According to Thomas, one of his biggest challenges at Life Care Center Valparaiso may be trying to satisfy all the residents in the facility. Thankfully, he has a team of 12 coworkers to help him offer care and healing through food.
“When a resident comes to the facility, they may not fully understand the scope of their care because, for the majority of people, treatment is not their area of expertise,” Thomas said. “However, food is everyone's area of expertise, whether they know how to cook or know how to plan a nutritious meal. You can imagine that it can be sometimes difficult to please all those experts! I am grateful to be part of the greatest team that I work with in the dietary department.”
When Thomas is not working, he loves to spend time with family and friends.
“My eldest daughter is a Purdue University graduate and married her college sweetheart,” Thomas said. “They were married in three different places – Chicago, Singapore and India – on two different continents. Now, they live and work in Houston. My son lives and works in Missouri, and my youngest daughter lives and works in Valparaiso. She works to place people who have mental and physical disabilities in places of employment. With family in Philadelphia, Houston, and St. Louis, I seem to travel a lot. I love to go camping, attend festivals and events like concerts, plays, etc. I also like to volunteer my time at my church, and I am anxiously awaiting grandchildren as I look forward to that as the next chapter in my life."
For more information about the programs and services at Life Care Center of Valparaiso, visit lcca.com/locations/in/valparaiso/.
