by Vickie Jenkins, staff writer
In the heart of Bethany, Oklahoma, Windsor Hills Nursing Center has become more than a place of care. It’s a home filled with connection, warmth, and family like bonds. At the center of it all, is Executive Director Anna Diaz, with 35 years of experience in long-term care. Anna’s heart has guided her through every step of her journey in health care.
Anna has been leading Windsor Hills for the past year. Growing up in Wayne, Oklahoma, when she was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming an airline stewardess or even working at Seaworld, training dolphins. “Those childhood ambitions didn’t quite work out,” she laughed. Her life took her down a path that perfectly matched her natural compassion and dedication, in the health field.
Her very first job wasn’t in health care at all, it was a job as a bookkeeper. From there, she gradually worked her way to nursing homes, taking on roles with more responsibilities, until eventually, she found herself where she is today, guiding Windsor Hills Nursing Center with the perfect blend of professional expertise and heartfelt care.
When asked what qualities make a good nurse, Anna didn’t hesitate, “They need to be caring, compassionate and able to love the residents like they’re a part of their own family.” These words aren’t just part of her philosophy, they’re part of her daily practice.
Anna’s strongest quality is having a genuine heart for others, and it shows. Each morning when she walks into Windsor Hills, residents greet her with joy. They look forward to saying hello, offering hugs. For Anna, those hugs are more than just a favorite part of her day. They’re gentle reminders of why she chose this profession. “I love the connection I have with each resident,” Anna explains. “I know something personal about every single one of them, and that makes my work here feel like a family.”
Her health care career began after graduating from Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC). Along the way, she was encouraged and inspired by her professors, who became her earliest mentors. She also credits her friends that provided support and encouragement through the years.
Though no one in her family worked in the medical field, her influence may very well carry on. Her daughter is currently pursuing her education in RN school, following her mother’s footsteps in health care.
At Windsor Hills Nursing Center, Anna leads a team that provides 24-hour care, including nurses and CMA’s. While her title may be Executive Director, Anna’s typical day covers much more than one role. She manages finances, oversees hiring, monitors food services
and ensures smooth operations across the board. Yet, no matter how busy her schedule gets, she never loses sight of the residents at the heart of it all. “It seems like my day includes a little bit of everything, “ Anna said with a smile, “but, it’s the hugs, that’s what makes it all worth it.”
Outside of work, Anna finds balance and joy in spending time with her family. She and her husband enjoy relaxing at the lake, soaking in the peaceful outdoors. Family time is precious to her and she values the moments she gets to spend with her loved ones. Anna is also a pet lover, sharing the home with two dogs who bring their own kind of comfort and companionship.
Looking back over her 35 years in health care, Anna reflects on her career with gratitude. She’s seen the challenges and rewards of health care from many perspectives, and she knows that leadership is about more than just administration, it’s about connection.
For Anna Diaz, leading Windsor Hills Nursing Center isn’t just a job, it’s a calling to care for others, ensuring residents feel at home, valued and loved. It’s about knowing the residents by name, celebrating their victories, and being a steady, loving presence in their lives. Her story reminds us that the heart of health care isn’t found in the paperwork or the procedures, it’s found in the hugs and the smiles.
As Windsor Hills continues to provide compassionate care for its residents, Anna Diaz continues to guide with experience, dedication and above all love. Her journey shows that while our childhood dreams may not always come true, sometimes, life has a way of leading us exactly where we’re meant to be.
