LEWISTON – Julie Shackley’s nursing career started decades ago when she, her father and sister took turns looking after her ailing grandparents.
Now she runs an agency that cares for nearly 8,000 patients in their homes. Last month, it opened a 14-bed home for people who need end-of-life support or a temporary stay at a place that offers around-the-clock medical care. Shackley, 48, was named president and CEO earlier this month, beating out more than 70 other candidates and becoming the first Maine native to get the top post.
She first joined Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice in 1992 as a nursing supervisor. She went on to serve as director of staff development and quality.
A year ago, she was promoted to CEO and has been serving as the agency’s interim president and CEO since March when her predecessor, David McDaniel, resigned for personal reasons.
Her knowledge of medicine coupled with leadership skills won the support of the agency’s board, chairman Paul Soucie said in a written release.
The nonprofit agency provides skilled home care, supportive care, and hospice care for residents of Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, and northern Cumberland counties. It employs 375 people.
Shackley started her career in nursing. She keeps up to date with her license as a registered nurse. She spent five years working with patients in their homes.
She never charted a career path to management. It just happened, as people tapped her for her experience and expertise in the field, she said. She doesn’t miss the hands-on work.
“I enjoy the real challenge of the bigger picture,” she said.
Having worked at a hospital, which she said serves its own important purpose, she gravitated to home care and hospice.
Shackley remembers caring for her grandparents in their home when she first earned her nursing degree. But they couldn’t do it alone. That’s when her family stepped up to help.
“I could seeing them struggle to maintain their independence as long as they could at home,” she said. “It was extremely important to them.”
Shackley, who lives in Windham, holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing management from the University of Southern Maine. She currently is on the board of directors at Community Concepts.
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