Page 78 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2026

A A
Care Care Legacy Legacy
of of
Twin Oaks Village
SentryCare Continues
Its Family Tradition of
Putting Residents First
story by Cherie Ward
photos courtesy of SentryCare
SentryCare
President
Collin Cheek
and CEO
Chris Cheek
F F
or more than three decades, SentryCare has been
doing things a little differently. And for the Cheek
family, that’s exactly the point.
Founded in 1993 by CEO Chris Cheek, the
locally operated company has grown from its first
skilled nursing community, Dunbar Village in Bay St.
Louis, to include River Chase Village in Gautier. Now, a
third community is taking shape in D’Iberville, bringing
the family’s approach to senior care to a new generation.
Twin Oaks Village, a 69-bed skilled nursing community
expected to open in spring 2027, will offer predominantly
private rooms with private bathrooms and walk-in showers.
Nestled along a lake near The Promenade shopping
center, the new facility will combine a peaceful setting with
convenient access to nearby amenities.
Built with safety in mind, Twin Oaks Village is designed
to exceed fortified building standards, with the ability to
withstand winds of up to 190 mph and a floor elevation
of 25 feet. These enhanced storm-resistant features go
beyond standard building requirements, offering residents
and their families added peace of mind when severe
weather threatens the Coast.
There’s also a dedicated therapy gym to support physical,
occupational, and speech therapy, with a particular
focus on helping patients recover following surgery,
hospitalization, or injury.
But for SentryCare President Collin Cheek, the heart of
the family business isn’t found in its buildings. It’s in the
people who call them home.
“We’re very much an elder-centric company,” he said.
78 | November 2026 That philosophy means residents help shape their
daily routines, from choosing when to bathe to enjoying
flexible dining schedules. Staff members work together
to make decisions, always beginning with one question:
What’s best for the resident?
This approach is shaped by decades of perseverance.
Hurricane Katrina devastated Dunbar Village, leaving
more than seven feet of water inside the facility. The
family rebuilt, weathered the COVID-19 pandemic,
and continued its commitment to caring for South
Mississippi’s seniors.
Taylor Cheek recently joined her father and brother
in the family business, providing one-on-one care for
residents living with dementia at River Chase Village.
The company is also expanding its dementia care
training through the Positive Approach to Care program,
emphasizing compassionate, individualized support for
residents experiencing cognitive changes.
That same philosophy will guide Twin Oaks Village
when its doors open.
For the Cheek family, the mission will always be
simple—empower employees, listen to residents, and
make decisions based on what’s right for the people in
their care.
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