The new age of managing efficiency

One of the newest employees at Schowalter Villa is improving staff efficiencies with technological advances. 

Rosie the Robot is a new addition to dining services that has created a buzz with its capabilities in filling a role for resident service and added a fun and novel experience to meal times. 

“Robots are kind of the new big thing in restaurant and dining experiences,” said Jeff Ritcha, Schowalter Villa Executive Director. “Rosie is able to do some basic tasks with transporting food, which frees up people to keep at other tasks and continue to make connections with residents.” 

During meal times, Rosie is loaded up with food to be delivered to residents in their rooms or dining halls, or to transport dirty dishes back to the dish room. After being programmed with a location, she makes her way independently through hallways, navigating people and other obstacles to get to her destination. A human companion accompanies her to serve food items to residents. 

“Rosie is helping with time management for staff,” said LaDeena Burke, Food and Nutrition Manager. “She is able to deliver food from the kitchen to the Meadowlark serving area, allowing the cooks to continue with their tasks in the kitchen. When staff is limited in the Tallgrass dining room or limited among nursing staff in certain hallways, she can deliver meal orders, freeing up nurse aides to continue giving care to the residents.” 

Residents enjoy watching Rosie work as well. She plays a musical sound as she navigates the hallways, getting people’s attention and allowing a bit of amusement as they embrace new ways of service.