Local Veteran Adam Sweetland Named Director of Dining at Juniper Village at Forest Hills

(September 10, 2025) Forest Hills, PA – Juniper Village at Forest Hills, a personal care and memory care community, is proud to announce the appointment of Adam Sweetland as its new Director of Dining. With a career spanning over two decades in both culinary arts and senior living, Adam brings a rare blend of professional training, heart-centered leadership, and a deep appreciation for community to his new role.

Originally from New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Adam began his culinary journey in an unexpected place — the U.S. Army. After graduating from Valley High School in 1994, he enlisted in the Army National Guard and completed cooking school at Fort Lee, Virginia. He went on to serve for nine years, earning the distinction of becoming the youngest mess sergeant in Pennsylvania Army National Guard history.

After his military service, Adam refined his culinary skills at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Culinary Arts program, graduating in 1998. He gained experience in restaurants before making a pivotal shift to healthcare dining — a move driven by his desire to balance a demanding career with his growing family.

Adam entered the senior living field in 2000, starting as a line cook at a personal care home before quickly rising through the ranks. Over the past 20+ years, he has served in various leadership roles, including more than 15 years at Elmcroft of Allison Park and 10 years in long-term care as a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM).

“I was drawn to Juniper because of its holistic, person-centered approach,” Adam shared. “There’s a strong sense of collaboration across departments — between dining, wellness, and what Juniper calls ‘connections’ — and that’s a rare and meaningful thing in this industry. It makes a real difference for the residents and the team.”

Adam is already making a mark at Forest Hills, with a focus on elevating food quality, improving team balance, and enriching the overall dining experience. Under his leadership, the community recently reintroduced favorites like fan-tail shrimp and crispy seasoned fries — a crowd-pleaser among community residents. He also plans to launch new events such as Oktoberfest, family-style Thanksgiving dinners, and a festive holiday party to strengthen bonds between residents, families, and associates.

“I believe happy teams create happy residents,” Adam said. “That’s why I’m committed to fostering a positive environment where associates feel supported. When our team is thriving, it naturally carries over into the meals we serve and the connections we build.”

Adam lives in Springdale, PA, with his wife of 24 years, Nikki. Together, they have two children: Haley, a junior in the nursing program at the University of Pittsburgh, and a son who is a freshman in high school, excelling both academically and on the football field. Nikki also has a strong background in healthcare, with over 20 years of experience in oncology and hematology before transitioning to a new role in billing.

When he's not in the kitchen or leading his team, Adam enjoys spending quality time with his family, supporting his kids’ education and extracurriculars, and bringing a spirit of service and humility to his everyday work. “In my faith, we say ‘I’m third’ — God first, others second, and myself third,” he said. “That philosophy has guided me, especially in healthcare.”

The team at Juniper Village at Forest Hills is excited to welcome Adam into this vital leadership role. His culinary expertise, deep compassion, and commitment to enhancing both resident and associate experiences make him a perfect fit for the community.

Tucked into the tree-lined neighborhood of Forest Hills, just east of downtown Pittsburgh, Juniper Village at Forest Hills offers a peaceful setting with easy access to parks, shopping, and top medical providers. We specialize in personal care and memory care—a blend of support and dignity that helps you live confidently each day. This is a place where relationships flourish and every moment matters.

About Juniper Communities

Juniper Communities, a leader in quality, value, and innovation, operates senior living communities in Colorado, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas that emphasize residents’ well-being, interaction and security. Our communities and approach to housing and care offers residents the opportunity to live a full life, regardless of age or health. Juniper’s innovative Connect4Life program has been proven to improve residents’ care by decreasing hospitalizations, re-hospitalizations, and urgent care visits, while offering potential cost savings to public programs such as Medicare. To learn more about the many ways Juniper Communities innovates in support of our residents, visit www.junipercommunities.com.