FINES & STARS
A couple months ago I wrote in this article
about how CMS (Centers for Medicaid and
Medicare) had levied fines against Wells-
ville Retirement Community totaling over
$50,000! In that article, I issued a request
to anybody and everybody to write our rep-
resentatives in Congress. I VERY much
appreciate hearing from many of you who
did take the time to contact our representa-
tives. I also contacted our congress people
again and, in addition, I made a trip to To-
peka and met personally with the Commis-
sioner of Survey and Certification – Codi
Thurness. I am pleased to report that Codi
“went to bat” for WRC and made a direct
appeal to the regional office of CMS in Kan-
sas City. One of our fines was lowered
from $36,000 to $12,000. While I very
much appreciate the decreased amount, it
is still painful to write a check to the federal
government for $12,000 instead of using it
for the benefit of our residents and staff
members. I intend to maintain a dialogue
with our reps in Congress until the
“pendulum shifts” back to an environment
of fairness and where our surveyors start
acting as “partners” in caring for our el-
ders.
Ironically, we recently learned that WRC is
now a 4 star home according to CMS.
About 10 years ago CMS launched a 5 star
rating system for all nursing homes in the
United States whereby a rating of 5 stars
would supposedly reflect a GREAT home.
In the first several years WRC had a 1 star
rating and I often told people it was a “Gold
Star”! I am reluctant to even mention our
star rating because the system is DEEPLY
flawed. For example the data used to com-
pile a star rating can be several years old
Activities: Life at WRC
Spotlight #1
Kim Cash
Spotlight #2
Peter Wentz
www.wellsvillerc.com volume 9, issue 11
so it does not reflect real time. Also, the
system is designed to have a certain per-
centage of homes at each star level. So in
theory, every nursing home in Kansas
could be EXCELLENT. But despite being
an excellent home, a certain percentage of
them would still have a 1 star rating. IT
DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!
With all this being said, and with the im-
position of thousands of dollars of fines in
recent months, WRC is now proudly(?) a 4
star home. In all seriousness, I must share
that our improved star rating is a direct
reflection of our Director of Nursing, Kris-
tine Martinez, and our fabulous nursing
staff. Kristine has studied the 5 star sys-
tem and has worked diligently to do the
things necessary to improve our rating. So
many kudo’s and thanks to Kristine and
our nursing staff!!
CLINICAL SITE
Over the next several weeks we will be
hosting students studying to become Certi-
fied Nursing Assistants. Neosho Commu-
nity College and Wecareonline will both be
using WRC as a clinical site. We really en-
joy hosting these students as they bring
their enthusiasm and energy to our home.
Also, it gives us a great opportunity to
share with them what we have learned
about “being” a great place to work and
live.
AS ALWAYS, please speak up if you have
any concerns or gritches about the service
we provide at WRC. We are ALWAYS
looking for ways to improve and we de-
pend on your feedback.
‘Til next month,
Scott
NOVEMBER
Scott Averill Owner
Ashley Washington
Business Office Manager
Kim Bogle Reception/Human
Resources
Dorothy Adams Social Services
Tim Sullivan Food Services
Paul Surber
Environmental Services
Jennifer Carpenter
Lifestyle Coordinator
Kristine Martinez Director of Nursing/
MDS Coordinator
Jenn Blaine Therapy Director
Holly Manny Assistant DON/
MDS Coordinator
Arlene Tomlinson Housekeeping/
Laundry
Jane resides in our Meadowlark Neighborhood
and was born in Chicago, IL. She grew up in
Kansas City, MO and has one brother and
three nephews.
Jane was chosen to be a “Belle of the American
Royal”. She participated in many activities
with the BOTAR. BOTAR is a women’s leader-
ship organization that supports the unique
mission of the American Royal. BOTAR con-
nects young women to their community, to
their peers and to many Kansas City women.
These women are encouraged by one another
throughout their lives.
After graduating from SMU in Dallas, TX with
a degree in geography she taught school in the
KC, MO and Shawnee Mission school districts.
Jane went on to receive her doctorate in geog-
raphy from KU and then taught geography at
UMKC and Longview Community College.
Jane lived on the Plaza in KC and enjoyed
shopping, art galleries, and walking downtown.
She still loves to shop and enjoys going to
lunch with her girlfriends. Jane liked to do
needlepoint, paint and travel.
Jane says, “She loves all the people here at
WRC, the young staff and the food is good too”.
Stephanie is the “Queen of our Little Red Van”,
she drives all the residents to their appoint-
ments. She was born in Olathe and raised in
Wellsville. While growing up on a farm, her
first job was driving the hay teams to the field
for her Dad when she was 15.
Stephanie graduated from Wellsville High
School. She has been married to Paul (our
maintenance director) for 38 years and they
have four children and six grandchildren.
Stephanie has been in the medical field for 30
years.
Spending time with her grandchildren, reading
and going to the movies are her hobbies.
Stephanie says, “She loves driving the residents
to their appointments”. She enjoys the time
she gets to spend with them.
Jane Macgee Stephanie Surber
Jane and Stephanie share October honors.
Welcome to WRC And We Will Miss…..
Ladema Higbie
Art Casaert
Lloyd Lacer
Meadowlark
Eva Davis Doris Bridges Sandra Miller
Fay Noah
CountryView
Bud Bridges Eula Watkins
ASH- LEY COOPER THE ENTERTAINER Don’t’ miss him!!!!
We are “EXCITED” Ashley Cooper the enter-
tainer is scheduled for Thursday, November 16th
at 3:30 PM. You must not miss this great Enter-
tainer! Ashley will put clapping in your hands,
tapping in your toes, singing in your heart. We
will make you want to get up and dance...so mark
your calendar‘s and come early to get a good seat.
November brings many days of great entertain-
ment: Friday, 3th @ 10:20 - Wellsville Elemen-
tary school. Saturday 4th @ 3:00 - Johnny and
Adams. Thursday, 9th @ 3:00 -Nicholas God-
bois. Friday, 10th @ 1:30 we will honor all of our
veterans, that same day @ 3:00 we will be enter-
tained by - Jerry Miller. Saturday, 11th @ 3:00 -
Riley Meyerkorth. Monday, 13th @ 3:00 The
Man and his dog. Tuesday, 14th @ 3:00 - Jana
Goup. Friday, 17 @ 3:00 Shirley Meek-
er. Saturday, 18th @ 3:00 - Wicked
Strings. Tuesday, 21st @ 3:00 Odds and
Ends. Saturday, 25th @ 3:00 - The Music Man.
We also invite you to attend any of our Sunday
services: 1:30 - Wellsville United Methodist
Church - first Sunday of the month. Second Sun-
day of the month Faith Lutheran Ottawa at 3 PM,
third Sunday of the month Wellsville Baptist at 3
PM, fourth Sunday of the month new Hope Bap-
tist Church at 3 PM.
Welcome to our new volunteer Jo Kramer she
will be helping with Thursday word games.
Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers that
brings so much joy to our community. Special
thanks to Charlie Moore for all of those dips of
ice cream. Thank you, thank you, thank you...we
have really enjoyed ice cream from Big Boppers.
Again, I have a call out for Saturday and Wednes-
day night bingo call/helpers. If interested, please
see Jennifer Carpenter.
Thursday, November 16th at 3:30pm
October was filled
with the first
signs of fall,
pumpkin flavored treats, and most importantly,
National Physical Therapy Month!!! Lydia Kep-
ler, Certified Physical Therapy Assistant for
Wellsville Retirement Community, headed an
afternoon activity each Thursday in October.
Some of the activities included safety wheel-
chair/walker checks and resident vs resident vol-
leyball with the assistance of the Wellsville Mid-
dle School students. Thanks to all who made
these activities possible!
As a reminder, WRC offers inpatient and outpa-
tient physical therapy services. Lydia and the rest
of the therapy team look forward to assisting you
and/or your family member with your rehab
needs.
Therapy Corner
Wellsville Retirement Community
304 W. 7th
Wellsville, Kansas 66092
Our Thanksgiving meal
will be held
Thursday, November 23rd
at 12:00pm
Please call or let Kim know the number of
family members that will be eating with us by
Monday, Novemeber 20th.
Kim Cash
SPOTLIGHT #1 is on Kim Cash, who is the
daughter of resident, Bob Kleier. Kim was
born in Iola, Ks and raised in Wellsville. Kim
has two children. She and her husband, John,
have been together for 17 years and live in
Springhill, Ks. Kim is a frequent passenger on
our Saturday bus trips which we very much
appreciate.
FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: All the fun activities
– band, choir and cheerleading.
A PERSON WHO INSPIRED ME: Both my parents.
IF I COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN TIME I WOULD:
Go to the Victorian era.
IF I COULD HAVE ANY SUPER POWER: I’d like to fly
AND be able to read minds.
MY BIGGEST FEAR: Leaving this world without first making
it a better place!
MY FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX: Watch a good movie.
A WEBSITE I VISIT EVERYDAY: Facebook.
3 WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: helpful, happy and fun!
IF I COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND AND CHANGE ONE
THING ABOUT THE WORLD: Everyone would follow the
golden rule!
SPOTLIGHT #2 is is on Peter Wentz. Peter is
a LPN in our Assisted Living neighborhood.
Peter is from Lawrence, Kansas and graduated
from Free State High School. He is married
with two sons and a daughter. He has lived in
Baldwin City for almost two years. Peter is cur-
rently in the Army Reserves and has been for 8
years.
FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: Prom was my favor-
ite memory.
A PERSON IN MY LIFE WHO INSPIRED ME: My father.
IF I COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN TIME I WOULD: Go
back to “the dawn of human existence.”
IF I COULD HAVE ANY SUPER POWER: Manipulate the
elements
MY BIGGEST FEAR: My kids won’t love me.
MY FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX: Exploring the woods on my
land.
A WEBSITE I VISIT EVERYDAY: You Tube
3 WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: Funny, Inspiring, Smart
IF I COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND AND CHANGE ONE
THING ABOUT THE WORLD: Exchange currency for work-
ing together as a community
Peter Wentz
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