Born in the Bronx Hospital and raised in Rochester, New York, Elisabeth (Lis) Cherr, M.S., R.N., brings a rich blend of experience, empathy and dedication to her work at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida. Cherr is perfectly placed as the Oak Hammock personal services navigator, and she assumes her responsibilities with a calm and soothing manner. Just speaking with her helps one to realize how much compassion she has for all the residents.

As the oldest of three, Cherr grew up in a family deeply connected to healthcare and education. Her two younger brothers, Jonathan Cherr, who is a medical editor in New York City and Gregory Cherr, M.D., who is a vascular surgeon and medical school administrator at the University of Buffalo—continue that tradition. Her father, Donald Cherr, M.D., now 94, is a retired ophthalmologist who resides in a continuing care retirement community in Rochester, New York, which is affiliated with the University of Rochester.

Family is central to Cherr’s life. She initially moved to Gainesville because of her three adult children: Ben Stone, her 40-year-old son and Amelia Tanner, her 36-year-old daughter who both still live in Gainesville, and Charlotte Stone, her 31-year-old daughter who recently moved to Oregon. She is also a proud grandmother to a ten-year-old grandson.

Cherr’s educational path reflects her deep commitment to understanding and supporting others. She earned a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies from Hobart & William Smith Colleges, a master’s in counseling psychology from Frostburg State University, and later an associate’s degree in nursing from the State College of Florida.

Cherr’s career is just as diverse and meaningful. She worked in film research at Eastman Kodak, served as a mobile crisis counselor and mental health therapist in Bradenton, Florida, and later became a progressive intensive care unit, or PICU, nurse and a hospice hospital admissions nurse at Haven Hospice in Gainesville. She is also trained as a family mediator and as an end-of-life doula—roles that taught her how to support people during their most vulnerable moments.

Cherr initially joined Oak Hammock in March 2021 as part of the nationwide CITRUS Study on COVID-19, where she collected approximately a total of 6,200 nasal swabs both before and after vaccination. When the social work manager position opened, she stepped into the role.

Cherr is well respected by Oak Hammock management. As Sonja Donlin, VP for community life enrichment and health services, says: “Lis is often one of the first connections that new Oak Hammock residents have, completing their health assessment. With the new residential building, The Canopy, coming on, Lis has completed over 145 new resident prospect assessments this year. In addition, she supports personal services with an extensive background in hospice. Lis has a calming demeanor and often provides one-on-one visits to assist residents with various personal needs.”

Recently, Cherr reflected on her role at Oak Hammock:

What are your job responsibilities?

In my current position, I facilitate several important resident groups, including caregiver support, grief support, low-vision and low-hearing support groups. A significant portion of my time this past year has been devoted to completing health and lifestyle reviews, or HLRs, for new residents, a process that can take up to two and a half hours each and involves careful documentation.

Much of my work happens in the informal moments—walking the halls, checking in on residents and offering support whenever needed. I hope to be someone a resident can turn to when they need to talk, vent or simply have someone sit with them.

What do you like most about your job?

What I love most about my job is being able to work with such wonderful residents and excellent team members. I love learning about the life stories of the people who call Oak Hammock home. I am continually impressed by the residents’ diverse backgrounds, experiences and academic achievements. I’ve discovered our residents are fascinating; their stories amaze me and so do their accomplishments.

I especially enjoy helping residents who live alone or need assistance with small tasks. And when Oak Hammock plans large events, I’m always happy to help bring them to life.

How do you apply We Care to what you do?

Many of the We Care principles such as welcoming, courteous, attentive, responsive and empathetic come naturally to me. Raised by an English mother who valued politeness and seasoned by years of crisis counseling, I feel comfortable talking with people about anything they are experiencing.

In my previous careers, I’ve met with many people who were struggling through life’s challenges and even thinking about suicidal thoughts. That background helps me connect with residents on a deep, supportive level.

Whether helping a resident navigate a challenge, supporting someone through emotional pain, or simply offering a calm presence, I strive to be available, approachable and kind.

One phrase which has always guided my approach is from a quote from Mother Teresa:

“Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.”

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Many people are surprised to learn how calm and comfortable I am during difficult moments. Outside of work, I enjoy playing trivia, kayaking and learning about history, especially Civil War history, although I no longer participate in reenactments. I also value time with my close group of friends and enjoy exploring new experiences. I love to have fun!

“Lis comes with a seasoned perspective, and her guidance has made a positive impact on both residents and staff. Lis is always supportive (even when it’s out of her comfort zone), responsive, kind and is truly valued and appreciated.”  – Nadia Luna, Health Pavilion admissions marketing coordinator

“Lis is very calm and helpful. I consider her a successful navigator because she takes charge and gets things accomplished. She was a big help for me when I was temporarily recovering in Skilled Nursing, needed to check my mail and get some supplies from my apartment.” – Victoria Bricker, Oak Hammock resident

“Lis is an exceptionally caring person, a great listener and very well versed in human needs. She’s always there to listen to residents’ needs and worries. When I chaired the health and wellbeing committee, she was always there to respond to residents and enact programs to make life better for residents, including running a support group for low vision residents and assisting with our workshops on flourishing.”   – Ellyn Ahlstrom, Oak Hammock resident