Oak Hammock Health Pavilion’s Life Enrichment Manager Amber Mann greets everyone with a bright smile, cheerful demeanor and sparkling eyes. Never too busy to stop and connect, Mann is a perfect fit for her role, serving the residents of the Health Pavilion with warmth, dedication, careful concern and creativity.

Mann brings heart and innovation to everything she does, curating programs that go far beyond traditional activities. Her focus is on building connections, encouraging engagement, providing continuous improvement opportunities and ensuring that every resident feels seen, valued and truly cared for.

Originally from Hawthorne, Florida, Mann comes from a close-knit family, including her brother, Jonathan Mann, who works in accounts payable at Oak Hammock. “Jonathan has been a constant in my life and truly means the world to me,” she says.

Mann graduated from Lofton High School in Gainesville and completed the Fire/EMS program in 2014. She met her now-husband, Jokeel Graham, after seeing him play basketball with mutual friends. They immediately connected, started dating in 2013 and married in 2021. Graham works as a postal carrier and the couple enjoys spending quality time with family.

In 2018, they briefly lived in Florence, South Carolina, where Mann worked as a human services assistant for the Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board. But eventually, they returned home to Gainesville, as they missed the natural springs, beaches and their families.

Mann joined Oak Hammock in 2021 as an activity assistant and stepped into the role of life enrichment manager in January 2025.

Mann described her role in senior living at Oak Hammock:

What are your job responsibilities?

As the life enrichment manager, I oversee the planning and implementation of meaningful programs and events for our Health Pavilion residents. I also supervise a team of four activity professionals. Together, we design activities that meet residents’ social, emotional, and cognitive needs, while coordinating with outside performers and groups to bring fresh, engaging experiences to our community. We want to make a positive impact and ensure each resident is treated as individuals, with the dignity and respect they deserve.

A big part of my role is listening. We hold regular meetings to gather resident feedback—and they’re not shy about what they like or don’t like! Their input helps us create programs that truly matter.

I draw inspiration from a wide network of fellow activity professionals, as well as platforms like TikTok and Facebook, to stay ahead of trends and bring in creative, new ideas.

What I love most is the connection—seeing residents light up when they’re doing something they enjoy, whether it’s music, crafts, a themed event or a heartfelt conversation. Helping them find joy and purpose every day is the most rewarding part of what I do.

I also love our team. We’re a close-knit group and there’s a genuine warmth throughout the community; from the way we greet each other in the halls to how we lift each other up.

As a new manager, I’m learning so much—especially through my involvement in residents’ CARE plans. It helps me see things through a broader, more holistic lens and partnering through a concerted planning process, making a meaningful impact.

How do you apply the “WeCare” themes in your work?

The WeCare values—welcoming, exceptional, courteous, attentive, responsive and empathetic, are woven into our daily interactions, not just with residents, but with each other as team members.

I greet our residents and their families warmly and work to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels included and purposeful. My goal is to offer programs that are more than just activities, but meaningful, enriching experiences.

I respect the residents’ preferences, whether they enjoy group events or prefer quiet, independent moments. I listen carefully to their feedback and adapt our programs accordingly. If something isn’t working, I take quick action to resolve it.

Each resident is unique and I work hard to ensure in their daily life they feel heard, supported and valued.

How do you make a difference for the residents?

I strive to help residents feel a deep sense of belonging, joy and purpose. Our programs go beyond entertainment, as they nurture emotional, social and cognitive wellness.

We offer everything from music and crafts to sensory stimulation and one-on-one activities. If something isn’t effective, we adjust and improve.

Everyone’s different, and that’s what makes this work so meaningful.

One of my favorite experiences is our annual Trunk-or-Treat event in the Health Pavilion parking lot. It takes a village to pull off, but it’s one of the most rewarding events of the year.

Residents, staff and families all join in. We transform the parking lot into a full Halloween celebration. What makes it even more special is my dad’s participation. He brings a big “haunted” trailer for everyone to enjoy. It’s truly a community event that brings us all closer.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I love turtles! They remind me to slow down, go with the flow and appreciate life as it comes.

I recently earned my Activity Professional Certification through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals. It gave me a new perspective and equipped me with tools to create more sensory-rich and cognitively stimulating programs. I use what I learn every day to help our residents live fuller, more vibrant lives.

When I’m not at Oak Hammock, my husband and I love kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, visiting Orlando theme parks and spending time with family. We also enjoy going to car shows with my dad.

Fun fact: In high school, I was a cheerleader, played tennis, skated and even did weightlifting!

I truly feel like Oak Hammock is where I’m meant to be. This role aligns perfectly with my values, goals and heart. I may further my education one day, but for now, I’m focused on growing with Oak Hammock and continuing to make a meaningful difference every day.