Distinguished Service Awards
Dr. Bennett Zier, The Tunnell Center, Lawton Healthcare Center and Golden Gate Healthcare Center Nominated by: Kevin Ward, DO and Jocelyn Aquino, DNS Dr. Bennett “Ben” Zier has worked with the Hillhaven/Vencor/Kindred facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1975. He started out as the Medical Director at our Nineteenth
Avenue Healthcare Center and has since then also served as the Medical Director of The Tunnell Center for Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Golden Gate Healthcare Center, Lawton Healthcare Center, Magnolia Gardens Care Center and Bay View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He is board-certified in geriatrics, serves on the Bioethics Committee of Saint Mary’s Medical Center and the
Jewish Home for the Aged in San Francisco, and is an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. In addition to being an excellent clinician, he is one of the most accessible physicians to our nursing staff. He returns calls 24/7 in a way that gives our nurses confidence, takes the time to educate caregivers, and treats them with a respect that fosters better care for our residents. Dr. Zier consistently gives 110% support to the facility. Whenever there is an issue, he offers his expert opinion. He appreciates and acknowledges the hard work of the staff (giving a small token of appreciation to staff during holidays) and although he can be temperamental at times, he is a doctor who knows when to say “I’m sorry.” It is a joy to have a down-to-earth, respectful physician like Ben Zier on our team. For these reasons, we salute Dr. Zier and we’re glad to have him as our Medical Director.
Dr. Darryl Richards, Masters Health Care Center Nominated by: Sylvia Burton, ED Dr. Richards is a very active member of our Performance Improvement Committee. He comes prepared to discuss issues and concerns. In several meetings, he has educated the team on major causes and solutions for urinary tract infections, dehydration, and skin care problems of the elderly. His medical knowledge does not override his compassion and concern for our residents. He continually evaluates the effects of medical treatment on the overall quality of life of the patient. His commonsense approach to treating the elderly is comforting to patients, families and staff. He visits the facility twice a week to provide patient care and is always willing to spend scheduled time with
families. Dr. Richards is truly a patient advocate who supports and guides families through end-of-life issues. He is always available to meet with our state survey team to discuss issues, as a listener and an educator for our staff, and always acknowledges the importance of their observations and assessments.
Dr. Richards embodies the characteristics so vital to the successful long-term care medical director. He has superior medical knowledge, compassion for our residents, concern for our families, respect for our staff, and awareness of the importance of operational issues. Dr. Richard’s service is a key component of the success of Masters Health Care Center.
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Distinguished Service Awards comes shining through time and again as Dr. McKenna makes rounds at Eastview. He always has time to talk to residents and family members, to educate and support our staff, and to maintain the overwhelming paper compliance generated by regulations. Federal regulations and changes in the healthcare environment have established the role of the medical director as central to the delivery of quality care and Dr. McKenna has been critical in ensuring quality care as a priority. Dr. John McKenna, Eastview Medical and Rehabilitation Center Nominated by: Wanda Hose, ED Dr. McKenna has unselfishly served as Medical Director at Eastview Medical and Rehab Center since 1990. Along with being a charter member of the American Medical Directors Association’s (AMDA) CMD Program, he is also an active board
member on the Wisconsin Association of medical Directors (WAMD). He plays a vital role in organizing the semi-annual meetings for WAMD by arranging dignitaries to be guest speakers. Dr. McKenna has consistently proven excellence in the dual clinical and administrative roles of the medical director. The dual nature of these skills
Also, Dr. McKenna has played a vital role in assisting Eastview through various projects, including Joint Commission (JCAHO) accreditation. Throughout the Antigo community, Eastview is seen as a thriving, financially sound, competent, quality healthcare organization; this reputation could not have been achieved without the efforts of individuals like Dr. John McKenna.
Dr. Bruce Burton, Harrison Health and Rehabilitation Center/Indian Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center Nominated by: Robin Steele, DNS Dr. Burton is very active within our community. He volunteers his services as a physician at the Maternal/Child Clinic and the Harrison Family Health Center. These centers serve those who do not have insurance and those with lower incomes. Dr. Burton is past president of the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Burton visits the center numerous times each week, and makes every effort to come through when we need him. He often stops at the facility on his way to the office and again on his way home following a long and tiring day. Dr. Burton goes the extra step by personally calling family members to obtain additional history and information on his patients with regard to their lifestyle and medical history. Families are often surprised to receive a personal call from their loved one’s physician. It
certainly adds a caring touch and lets families know that he truly is concerned for the overall well being of the resident. He is also an active participant in the Performance Improvement Committee at our center and serves as a liaison between the nursing center and other physicians within the community. There have been many times when he has intervened to assist the nursing staff in obtaining a response and timely treatment when a resident’s primary doctor was lacking. This can be a touchy situation, but one that Dr. Burton readily accepts and handles with professional finesse.
Of all the many things that Dr. Burton does for our center and for our residents, I feel the most important is that he listens. This seems like such a simple thing, but in a fast-paced world of ever-changing medical technology, it is a simple task that some are unwilling to take time for. On any given night, you might find Dr. Burton at our nurse’s station having dinner, the same dinner served to our residents and talking to them. Or he may be at a resident’s bedside just taking the time to listen to an old tale. Dr. Burton embodies our “caring culture” and is quite deserving of the Distinguished Service Award.
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Distinguished Service Awards betterment of care for older adults. He has a private practice and participates in the local acute care centers, rounding with many physicians. The numerous hours he spends to assure that the care needs of our residents are met is greatly appreciated by all. He answers call lights, helps serve residents meals and answers the telephone. NO task is too small or below him. He will take time out of his busy schedule to teach and direct staff toward better services for the resident.
Dr. David Berman, Smith Ranch Care Center Nominated by: Linda Williams, ED The staff, residents and families at Smith Ranch Care Center would like you to consider our medical director, Dr. David Berman, for the
distinguished service award. Dr. Berman has been the Medical Director at the Center since we opened. He has also been a significant contributor to the local community during the past 30 years and has served in many organizations to promote the
Additionally he has been an active member our admission process and never refuses to evaluate a new admission even on evenings and weekends. During any community need he is there helping the staff care for the residents. We greatly appreciate his service to our center and our community.
Dr. Larry Banta, Caldwell Care Center Nominated by: John Schulkins, ED and Chuck Bosen Dr. Banta is a true team leader, never putting his own agenda above that of the team. He is very active in weekly clinical meetings and monthly performance improvement meetings and activities. Caldwell has received regional and even national recognition for providing outstanding care for our behavioral and psychiatric population. Also worthy of mention, under Dr. Banta’s direction the center established a remarkable program called “Tranquil Waters.” This program has been very successful in providing a comfortable bathing experience that even the most fearful residents have responded to positively. As a clinical leader, Dr. Banta has consistently gone above and beyond. Some would say they have witnessed miracles as he has been able to reach the most difficult resident through his diligent care and clinical intervention. He is very active in the weekly clinical management meetings, reviewing each
case carefully, and in examining residents in detail as indicated. To describe Dr. Banta as a golden community asset would be an understatement. His passion to serve the underprivileged has taken on many forms. His volunteer efforts are truly inspirational. When not directly working with our center, Dr. Banta visits six children’s homes in Mexico, provides volunteer hours at an Idaho children’s clinic for psychiatric care, presents lectures to professional associations and groups and even
serves as the President of the Idaho Psychiatric Association. Finally, Dr. Banta is an outstanding teacher. Beyond the formal presentations he does for our center, he teaches at every opportunity. He is always willing to volunteer to teach at a staff in-service, but that is only the beginning. He seeks opportunities to teach residents, family members and especially staff one on one. He is clearly a hero at Caldwell Care Center and we believe he is worthy of this recognition.
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Distinguished Service Awards
25-Year Service Award Recipients
Not Pictured
Dr. Mohammad Rahman, Loudon Healthcare Center
Dr. Glen Van Loon, Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Van Loon is dedicated to the residents he serves, is always willing to listen to the residents and staff, and has an extraordinary bedside manner. Along with his nurse practitioner, he visits the Center every Wednesday to see residents. Additionally, he is dependable and always responds to the needs of the residents and staff. This includes 24/7 coverage 365 days per year. He is truly a caring individual. He has never refused to provide care for a resident, regardless of age. Many of these residents are very complex cases with diagnoses such as Traumatic Brain Injury, bariatrics, dementia, psychiatric and Huntington’s disease. He is also the area’s sole endocrinologist. Dr. Van Loon is very knowledgeable and remains current with the latest medical research and information. He is one of the finest physicians I have worked with in my 30-year healthcare career. He is also is very involved with Performance Improvement. He evaluates the Quality Indicators and makes recommendations to improve care. I proudly recommend Dr. Van Loon for the Distinguished Service Award, as he would be an asset not only to the award program, but also to the Medical Director profession.
Dr. Rajkoshore Tripathi, Cambridge Health and Rehabilitation Center Dr. Robert Mann, Harbour Pointe Medical and Rehabilitation Center.
Nominated by: Tracy Bennett, ED On behalf of my staff, I would like to nominate Dr. Glen Van Loon for the Distinguished Service Award for meritorious service to our center and our residents. He has been our Medical Director for 15 years and has served at Oakview as an attending physician for about 20 years. During this time, he has demonstrated superior abilities as Medical Director.
Dr. Raymond Pongonis, Franklin Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
15-Year Service Award Recipients Dr. John Barkmeier, Colony Oaks Care Center
Dr. Glen Van Loon, Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Dr. Gary Dupre, Regency Place of Lafayette Dr. Charles Horsley, Lebanon Country Manor Dr. Jack Wolf, Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center of Alamance Dr. Allan Engel, Newton and Wellesley Alzheimer Center
Not pictured: Dr. James Whitfield, Windsor Estates Health and Rehabilitation Center Dr. Sharman Gingrich, Country Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Brigham Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Dr. Lloyd Story, Silas Creek Manor Dr. Henry Atkins, Westgate Manor Dr. Jack Waterman, Fieldcrest Manor Dr. Peter Roos, Blue Hills Alzheimer’s Care Center Dr. Anthony Tyler, Santa Cruz Healthcare Center
20-Year Service Award Recipients Dr. Bennett Zier, The Tunnell Center for Health and Rehabilitation
Dr. Iqubal Dhaliwal, Franklin Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Dr. Richard Ruggieri, Kindred Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Dr. Ralph Brashear, Guardian Care of Zebulon Dr. Isaac Miller, Guardian Care of Roanoke Rapids Dr. Hubert Pierce, Kinston Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Dr. Martin McDermott, Brighton Care Center Dr. James Woods, Ygnacio Valley Care Center Dr. Quock Fong, Nineteenth Avenue Healthcare Center Dr. Timothy Ross, Vancouver Health and Rehabilitation Center Dr. John McKenna, Eastview Medical and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Bruce Burton, Indian Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Lawrence Smith, Brewer Rehabilitation and Living Center
Dr. Ferrol Sams, Lafayette Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Jeffrey Robbins, Windsor Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Dr. Dale Jones, Heritage Manor Healthcare Center
Dr. David Berman, Smith Ranch Care Center
Dr. Hugh Wilhite, Riverside Manor Healthcare Center
Dr. Michael Kazemi, Hacienda Care Center
Dr. Robert Kolbe, Bremen Health Care Center
Dr. James Mittelberger, Medical Hill Rehabilitation Center
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Dr. Bennett Zier, Golden Gate Healthcare Center Dr. Raja Chandra, South Central Wyoming Healthcare and Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Center
10-Year Service Award Recipients Dr. Patrick MacMillan, Ozark Mountain Regional Healthcare Center
Dr. John Grauke, Aspen Park Healthcare Dr. Monica Vandivort, Hacienda Rehabilitation and Care Center Dr. Robert Mohr, Wasatch Care Center
In March, we celebrated
Dr. Bruce Burton, Harrison Health and Rehabilitation Centre
Doctor’s Day. You might
Dr. Marc Duerden, Wildwood Health Care Center
have seen the poster below
Dr. Gary Sharp, Regency Place of Greenfield
Dr. Gay Trepanier, Vallhaven Care Center
Dr. Donald Evans, Specialty Care of Marietta
Dr. Lacy Colson, Raleigh Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Dr. Eric Bandy, Maple Manor Health Care Center
Dr. Roger Schutt, Laurel Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Dr. Christopher Godfrey, Woodland Terrace Health Care Facility
Dr. Philip Groce, Augusta Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Joseph Ott, Winchester Centre for Health and Rehabilitation
Dr. Joseph Verdirame, Nansemond Pointe Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Dr. Alexander Stemer, Regency Place of Dyer
Dr. George Nasinnyk, Oakwood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Dr. William Moore, Fairpark Healthcare Center
Dr. Richard Morgan, Kindred Hospital Modesto
Dr. Pradeep Giriyappa, North Ridge Medical and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Gary Crawford, Canyonwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Paul D’Ambrosio, Walden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Dr. Bennett Zier, Lawton Healthcare Center
Dr. David Duhme, Westborough Health Care Center
Dr. Jaime Novais, Queen Anne Healthcare
Dr. Robert Karp, Starr Farm Nursing Center Dr. William Lorimer, Pettigrew Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Certificate of Appreciation for Turnaround Success of a Focus Center Recipients
Dr. Kenneth Minaker, Clark House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Allan Wilke, Big Springs Specialty Care Center
Dr. Stephen Rosenman, Harrington House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Linda Stropes, Regency Place of Castleton
Dr. Paul Berry, Dover Rehabilitation and Living Center
Dr. Marcia Chesebro, Whitesburg Gardens Health and Rehabilitation
Dr. Curtis Mello, Country Gardens Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Jay Sheth, Northfield Centre for Health and Rehabilitation
Dr. Linda Nici, Oak Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Michele Ricard, Bolton Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Judith Recknagel, Eagle Pond Rehabilitation and Living Center
Dr. Lacy Colson, Raleigh Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Dr. Melvin Yoselevsky, Kindred Crossings Healthcare – West Campus Dr. Mahernosh Dah, Valley Gardens Health Care and Rehabilitation Center Dr. T. Brice Addison, Park Place Health Care Center
Doctor’s Day March, 2008
in your nursing center.
KINDRED HEALTHC ARE CELEBRATES
National Doctors’ Day MARCH 30, 2008
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT PROVIDING QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN EVERY COMMUNITY WE SERVE.
We sincerely thank you for the contributions you make to our nursing centers. Your leadership and skills mean a great deal to our residents and staff.
Dr. Roger Schutt, Laurel Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Dr. James Hatcher, River Pointe Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Dr. John Hiner, Cherry Hills Health Care Center
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