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Lt. Gov. presents Crestview with quality award
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · July 30, 2015
Each person — including Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds — stepping up to make remarks regarding Crestview Nursing & Rehab Center’s 2015 Governor’s Award for Quality Care in Health Care Facilities either directly or indirectly referred to how the local nursing home went five years without inspectors finding a deficiency.
Except for one speaker: Jane Frantz, a daughter of former resident Margaret A. “Marge” Gough who nominated Crestview for the award.
She talked about how the family was “unprepared” when it came time to place her mother in a nursing home. Yet the Crestview staff quickly made Marge feel at home, and “after a short while … they eliminated those fears.”
“It was an honor and a privilege to nominate Crestview for this prestigious award,” she said to a dining area filled with residents and staff.
Care Initiatives President and CEO Miles King asked the crowd to stop and consider a facility and all of the government regulations placed on it.
“Five years since there has been a deficiency,” he said. “Think about that … and now you’re getting a governor’s award. You are a special, special group of people. It takes teamwork to deliver quality and I could not be prouder. Please, please keep doing it again, over and over.”
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Director Rod Roberts said after a nomination, DIA sends inspectors to do an on-site visit where they conduct interviews and observe. He got a report that the inspector was impressed.
“To win this award is no small thing,” he said. “This is a significant accomplishment. Our staff is very thorough and it is not easy to be deficiency-free. Five years? You people get it. You provide good, quality care.”
Roberts said the entire staff — from custodians to care providers to administrators — deserve credit.
“Congratulations, you did a good job,” he said. “Now don’t rest on your laurels: I’m looking for six (years).”
The lieutenant governor noted this is Crestview’s second time receiving the recognition; the first was in 2006.
“Crestview stands above its peers,” Reynolds said, adding that it takes “a high level of care” to win the award, which can only come after a family member of a resident makes a nomination.
Reynolds read excerpts from the Frantz’s nomination letter, stating that Marge felt welcome “from the moment we arrived,” and the family felt the staff saw “our mother (as) the No. 1 resident.”
The lieutenant governor called the two awards and lack of deficiencies an “outstanding accomplishment.”
“The governor’s award transcends regulatory accomplishments,” Reynolds said. “You should be pleased. You’ve been very successful, not only in the eyes of regulators, but in the eyes of those you serve.”
Crestview administrator Cheryl Mercer thanked the speakers for their comments and noted that state Rep. Robert “Bobby” Kaufmann (R-Wilton) and state Sen. Robert “Bob” Dvorsky (D-Iowa City) took time to attend the ceremony.
“We are overwhelmed by your heartfelt appreciation,” she said. “I’m very proud of this tremendous team of people and a wonderful husband who helps out whenever I need him.”
Crestview was presented with a framed certificate and the staff posed for pictures with Reynolds, DIA and Care Initiative representatives. Reynolds then took time to shake hands and briefly chat with many of the residents.
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