LONG BEACH – Sitting in his office chair, Yavon Luyt takes advantage of a couple free minutes and props his 17-month-old son, Landon, on the closest edge of his computer desk, the blonde-haired boy clutching a small plastic toy in both hands. On the other side of that same desk, the two are joined by Luyt’s wife, April, who is trying to herd their other two very active sons, three-year-old twins Brahm and Kian.

Out in the hall employees bustle past his office doorway and amidst it all, an elderly female resident rolls through the door in her wheelchair, dropping in to say hello and interact with the boys. Some might say it couldn’t be possible for one man to give his full attention to both his work and family. But it seems that Luyt, Ocean View Convalescent Center’s new executive director, might have come to an easy solution – everyone simply becomes family.

Following the departure of interim executive director David Crawford, the center hired Luyt in April.

After graduating from high school in Longview, Luyt went to colleges in Idaho and Indiana, and is a Washington State University alumnus. Previously working in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Vancouver, and most recently at a Longview facility, Luyt says he always wanted to work at a Life Care Center and when the opportunity presented itself, he chose to come to Ocean View.

In the past, he has managed centers with 100 beds or more, but is pleased with having only 71 beds and 50 residents to devote time to. Typically half of the residents call Ocean View Convalescent home, while others are going through extensive rehabilitation following surgeries and other medical procedures.

Turning a profitIn a few short months’ time, Luyt says he has helped turn around the facility’s losses into profits, and plans to concentrate on bringing the focus back to the community. He describes the center as “a very ethical setting that provides quality care.” Timeliness and efficiency of care are of importance, as well as receiving accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Born in South Africa, Luyt says he became interested in his field after moving with his parents to the U.S.

“I gave up my grandparents when I moved,” he remembers. “But today I have 50 grandparents, and I get to take care of all of them. These generations have taken such great care of us that I feel a duty to take care of them. … It’s about making sure everyone is taking care of our residents in a safe manner.”

In addition to ensuring proper care, managing 85 employees and acting as a public contact for relations and marketing, Luyt says he also enjoys interacting with the residents and learning from them.

With millions of dollars going to local payroll each year, Luyt stresses, “Ocean View needs to let the community know how much they have invested in them. … In order for Ocean View to be here, we have to make a financial gain. The reason I chose to join Life Care is because of their ethical setting.”

Local contractingWhile Ocean View Convalescent currently has contracts with vendor accounts from as far as Colorado and Texas, Luyt says he is looking to bring major accounts, such as food and pharmaceutical supplies, back to the local region in hopes of stimulating the economy in southwestern Washington.

He says he looks forward to providing family education nights, expanding Ocean View’s existing programs, and starting an outpatient therapy program. While the weather is still dry, he will be taking four Ocean View residents to camp in a yurt at Cape Disappointment, and hopes to utilize the facility van for residents’ trips to the zoo and other fun options.

Luyt also recently received approval on a request for $150,000 in building improvements, expected to start soon.

Since his arrival four months ago, he has joined the local Rotary and plans to continue further involvement in the community. Even though he has found that jobs are hard to come by on the Peninsula, “everyone is still upbeat because it’s the beach, it’s relaxing. There’s a sense of small community we totally enjoy.”