Our staff

Lorantffy Care Center boasts a dedicated, professional, and knowledgeable staff of administration and caregivers with a passion for caring for the elderly. 

Our staff retention is impressive and a fact we are proud of.  Many of our staff members have been with us for more than 10 years and some even since the opening of the facility.  Consistent and caring staff means long lasting and trusting relationships with our residents and family members. 

Each and every one of our staff members, nursing, and medical professionals, play an integral part to the smooth operation of our facility.  Following are a few that truly represent the mission and foundation of Lorantffy Care Center. 

Elizabeth Schmidt
Administrator

Like her parents, Elizabeth Schmidt had always had a passion for helping people.  Growing up, she spent time at Lorantffy Care Center and at 16 began working as a nursing assistant.  She became Administrator in 1993 and oversees the daily routines of all staff and residents.  She graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelors degree in Family and Child Development with an emphasis on Gerontology and holds a Nursing Home Administrator license and Social Work license in the State of Ohio.  “Coming to work is like leaving home to come home.  I like to get to know each resident so that I can help them become comfortable in their new home and remain a content member of our family.”


Elizabeth Domotor
President 

Previous to immigrating to America, Elizabeth Domotor attended the University of Budapest where she studied pre-med.  Once in the United States, she continued on her medical path and became head of the Hematology Department at St. Thomas Medical Center in Akron, Ohio.  Together, with her late husband, Rt. Rev. Tibor Domotor, she co-founded the Lorantffy Care Center in 1974 and served as the Executive Director and Vice-President of the Board of Directors.  Since 1993, Elizabeth has served as President of Lorantffy where she oversees the management of the nursing home.  After 30-some years, Elizabeth considers Lorantffy her “home”, often working seven days a week.  “It’s not only the residents that become your family; it is the staff and medical professionals too.  We have a group that genuinely cares for serving the elderly population, be it Hungarian, American or any other ethnic background.”


Eileen Kepple, MSN, RN, CNS
Executive Director

Eileen Kepple joined Lorantffy Care Center in 1989 as Assistant Director of Nursing.  In that position, she instituted the restorative nursing program as well as oversaw nursing care for the residents and coordinated activities and educational programs.  She became Executive Director of Lorantffy in 1998 where she helps direct the management and maintenance of Lorantffy.  Eileen holds a masters degree in Nursing.   “Lorantffy is truly unique because of our rich multi-cultural background.  It certainly helps residents settle in to their new home when they feel at home.  It’s fulfilling to see happy and content residents.” 


Otto Bernath, MD
Medical Director

Dr. Otto Bernath graduated from the University of Medical Science in Budapest before immigrating to America in 1956 to escape the Russian occupation of Hungary.  Once in America, he studied to take the required medical exams to practice in the United States.  From 1962 to 1992 he had a private practice in Mogodore and from 1992 to 2003 a family practice near Akron.  He was on the founding board that helped establish Lorantffy Care Center in 1974, believing that the old Hungarian population needed care in an ethnic setting.  Dr. Bernath visits Lorantffy Care Center two or three times a week to check up on residents and visit with those he has become friends with through the years.  “I belong here at Lorantffy.  I enjoy the connection with the residents and feel blessed to be able to offer expert care to these men and women.”  Dr. Bernath notes that Lorantffy is particularly special given the attention placed on food, culture, language, and recreational activities in an ethnic setting.  “Older men and women tend to revert back to their younger years the older they get, be it from dementia or simply getting older.  The food and culture of the nursing home helps them feel at home and comfortable.  There’s really no other place like Lorantffy.”  


Judy Christ, RN
Nurse

Judy Christ arrived at Lorantffy Care Center nearly 25 years ago.  For 22 years she worked as a nurse, passing medications and treating residents.  She retired for a short time and returned to work on the changeover of resident charts at the end of each month.  Judy was inspired by her sister to become a nurse.  Once in the profession, she relished the fulfillment she got from helping other people, particularly the elderly.  At Lorantffy, she has learned to speak some Hungarian and has gotten to know many of the residents.  “Lorantffy impresses me.  The staff are such hard workers and really take enjoyment in helping and caring for the residents.  Just the same, the residents respond positively to our level of care.  We’re truly a family.”

 
Elizabeth Kiraly
Nursing Assistant

Elizabeth Kiraly has been with Lorantffy Care Center from its opening in 1974.  As a nursing assistant, she helps residents with their non-medical needs including feeding, activities, bathing, visiting, and caring for other personal needs.  She credits her tenure with Lorantffy Care Center to the residents she helps, noting that they become like family.  Liz is fluent in Romanian, Hungarian, and English and says that residents really appreciate it when they can talk in their language.  


Maria Szarka
Food Service

As the Food Service Manager, Maria Szarka works with the Lorantffy Home Center dietician to help determine a month’s worth of meals and then oversees the purchasing of the ingredients for those meals.  Though she manages a kitchen staff of 13, she is often found helping out with large events and special meals.  She has been in the kitchen for 22 years and credits her tenure at Lorantffy to the passion she has for being in the kitchen and for the fulfillment she gets from helping older men and women.   “I rarely hear complaints about our food.  In fact, I hear a lot of praise.  There’s nothing more gratifying than hearing someone likes what you made for them.”  


Micki Ladich
Hairdresser

Originally, Micki Ladich, a 68-year veteran of the beauty industry, came to Lorantffy Care Center to do hair and nails for two weeks.  Two weeks has turned into 23 years.  Micki cuts, colors, perms, and styles women’s hair and cuts men’s hair.  She also provides manicure and pedicure services.  Micki attributes her longevity at Lorantffy Care Center to the people she has come to know.  “Everyone is loveable.  I enjoy talking and visiting with everyone – particularly those that don’t have family that visit often.”


Tibor Domotor
Maintenance Supervisor

As the son of the founders of Lorantffy Care Center, Tibor Domotor quite literally grew up in his second “home.”  As early as 14, Tibor was working in the dietary department helping to serve residents dinner after school.  When he was 16, he spent time in the nursing department as an orderly.  At 18 he moved into the maintenance department, where he continues now.  As Maintenance Supervisor, he oversees that everything in the Lorantffy Care Center and its independent living houses is in proper working order.  He also works with the Fire Department on routine safety checks, among other ongoing important initiatives.  “Being at Lorantffy is like being at home.  Residents and staff have become my extended family and I get such a sense of fulfillment watching over them.”