Welcome!
David Akpoblu Mac-Rizzo (Ph.), MBA, BSc, LNHA, PCHA, LSSG, CNA.
Visiting my Blog is one of the life-changing experiences you will cherish forever!
Upbringing
I am originally from Ghana and migrated to the US in 2003. Early in my life, I cherished values that respect and seek equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their gender, race, sex, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. This perspective forms the basis of my ethical principles and informs the decisions I make in my professional and personal life. This perspective is the framework that continues to guide me as strive to develop myself into a value-based leader of the unquestionable integrity expected of a consummate leader. Within all of us is the unlimited capacity to reach the zenith of our personal, professional, and spiritual capabilities. Subsequently, my life experiences, education, and the quest for the truth, I have reached the metaphysical conclusion that nothing, not even our own doubts and fears, is an obstacle to reaching our God-given potential. The blog is designed to provide the practical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual tools to unleash the unending potential within each individual who visit the blog.
Education
From a humble beginning, I graduated as a machinist from Kpando Technical Institute in Ghana and join Volta Aluminum Company (Valco), a subsidiary of Kaiser Aluminum. While in Valco, I obtained my Mechanical Engineering Technician Certificate from The University of Mines & Technology in Ghana. Also, I trained in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations at Cambridge Tutorial College in London, UK. After migrating to the US, I went to Mercer County Community College for my Associate in Business Administration; The College of New Jersey for Bachelors in Business Administration and Industrial & Organizational Psychology. I proceeded to The George Washington University for my MBA in Healthcare Administration; then to the University of Connecticut for Post Graduate in Long-Term Care Management and became a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. At the University of Pennsylvania, Beaver, I obtained my certification in Lean Six Sigma and Personal Care Home Administration. I am currently at Northcentral University for my Ph.D. in Healthcare Administration researching reduction of off-label medication and over-prescription of antipsychotic medicines for nursing home residents with dementia and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Professional Experience
At the height of my maintenance career, I resigned from Kaiser Aluminum after over 20 years as a Mechanical Engineering Technician and Acting Assistant Manager to become a caregiver/universal worker, a calling I still enjoy to this day! My healthcare career began as a Christian Science Nurse, assisting those who rely on prayer alone for healing. I transitioned to medical healthcare and trained as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and a Personal Care Home Direct Care Staff. My work as a caregiver was a purpose more than a job, an experience that allows for a level of satisfaction not often found in a profession, the experience that has fueled my present career path. I still hold my CNA certification and provide direct care to residents. I am currently a licensed nursing home administrator in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and a licensed Personal Care Home Administrator in Pennsylvania; a licensed nursing home administrator in Connecticut and Pennsylvania; a Lean Six Sigma, CPR/AED, and ergonomics certified. I have been the nursing home administrator/Executive Director in several nursing homes, personal care homes, and continuing care retirement communities. Notable accomplishment includes: increased employee and patient satisfaction from 0% to 100% in six months; increased facility star-rating from 1-star to 5-stars in five months; reduced antipsychotic medication from 25% to 0% in 10 months with recognition from the state of Pennsylvania; reduced restraint to 20% to 0% in eight months; reduced projected budget loss from $650,000.00 to $50.000 in nine months; achieved excellent state survey results and many more. I currently serve on non-profit boards and I have also tutored in Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics, and Calculus at Mercer County Community College.
Purpose of the Blog
The purpose of the Blog is to provide a platform to leverage my diverse background, education, and passion for excellence in management and leadership to affect positive change in the lives of others. It is my firm belief that we all have a tremendous untapped potential for growth and development within us; that there is beauty in all of us; and like the lotus flower, we can bloom untainted by our circumstances and surroundings. If you share these values or would like to explore these perspectives and share your ideas with others, you are welcome you to submit a write-up on specific or general topics on leadership, management, ethics, healthcare, spirituality, and religion. The write-up will be reviewed by me for originality and appropriateness, and post to the blog.