On this episode of SNF Spotlight Series sponsored by Renewal Rehab, Yitz Rubin spoke with Laura Shaw-deBruin, Executive Director at Norwood Senior Networks. Laura not only delivers meals she delivers wellness for Seniors. Laura shared information about the services Norwood Senior Networks provides, and how they work with COVID and the temperamental weather in Illinois.

In this episode of the SNF Spotlight Series, we’re featuring Jessica Gregory, COTA at Renewal Rehab. She’s a healthcare hero, volleyball player, softball player and Jack of all trades. She also works as a caregiver for a child with autism.

Jessica talks about the need for picking up a second job for additional income during this challenging time. Her second position is serving as a caregiver for a child with autism, which affords Jessica the opportunity to perform some OT-related skills she loves with children.

This new job has been a welcome distraction. Jessica says, “It’s been an amazing experience because it’s actually been a good distraction from all the craziness the pandemic has brought onto us during this time in the healthcare industry. It’s been extremely stressful and exhausting, and I needed something to shift my focus and upgrade my mindset.”

Jessica has found this position to help her develop professionally and personally. She says, “I've gotten to work a lot with a lot of related developmental disorders and psych disorders. And it's really got me thinking about what I'm going to do in the future and how I'm going to utilize my skills and my experience as an OT assistant and move forward with it.”

Throughout this time, Jessica strives to give to others. “I'm trying to do a little bit of kindness, no matter how big or small it is. I'm trying to do as much as I can, because especially now during this time, it's just been very overwhelming for everyone.” 

Building morale and making sure both staff and patients are feeling happy and nurtured is crucial during this time. 

Jessica ends with explaining the switch that changed her perspective. Jessica told herself: 

“Enough is enough. Enough of feeling sorry for myself. We’ve got to get through this, and we're going to get through this together. It's time to start looking at the positive of everything.

Once I started doing that, I started seeing a little bit more positive and all the negative that has been thrown at us over the year, it's really helped me get through what I'm doing and keep pushing forward and working with all of my clients, because that honestly right there is probably what's bringing me joy through this whole thing.”

Go to snfspotlight.com to watch the full show and other episodes of the SNF Spotlight Series. Click here to apply to be featured in a future episode.

On this episode of the SNF Spotlight Series, sponsored by Renewal Rehab, Yitz Rubin spoke to Julia Gharib, Joseph Hancock and Jeffrey Pope of TrueNorth Companies, L.C. They explained their experience speaking to employees about their benefits in the healthcare industry, and how it can effect employee turnover rates.

On this episode of SNF Spotlight Series sponsored by Renewal Rehab, Yitz Rubin spoke with Joe Conver, administrator of Atria Cranberry Woods, near Pittsburgh. Joe describes what led him from the military to a career in senior care communities and what it takes to be a leader in both spaces.

Joe, who now is the executive director at Atria at Cranberry Woods, a high-end senior living community near Pittsburgh, has been evolving as a leader since his first days in the Marines, right out of high school. Every stage of his life since then, in four additional years of army service, college and throughout his career in senior care, has taught him new lessons in leadership.

In hindsight, Joe says, “The idea of where you start in life and where you end up can be a fantastic journey.”

Renewal Rehab provides contract therapy partnership services with skilled nursing homes, rehab centers, long-term care living, and assisted living communities. From basic therapy services to full contract services to hybrid services, Renewal Rehab can adjust the service model to fit the needs of your patients and your entire healthcare facility.

On this episode on SNF Spotlight Series sponsored by Renewal Rehab, Yitz Rubin spoke with Jonathan Burstyn of The Bay at Burlington Health and Rehabilitation. Jonathan, describes how emotionally taxing working inside nursing homes has been over the past year.

On this episode on SNF Spotlight Series sponsored by Renewal Rehab, Yitz Rubin spoke with Bryan Lindsay, Executive Director and Founding Partner of The Restoracy of Whitestown. Bryan mentions his plans on leaving the care industry better than how he found it. Watch our fascinating episode about personalizing care.

Bryan earned his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and later pursued a master's degree in Health Administration at the University of Kentucky. He has 13 years of experience as a Health Facility Administrator. Bryan is the co-founder of The Restoracy of Whitestown, a six home, 72-bed neighborhood that provides skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and memory care healthcare services to seniors.

Waukegan, Ill. skilled nursing leader focuses on leadership and teamwork to support residents through the pandemic. Michael Jacobson is one of thousands of healthcare heroes who adjusted to new jobs and positions during COVID-19 and says fighting on the frontlines has brought teams together.

Despite starting a leadership position at Elevate Care Waukegan during the pandemic, Michael has met the demands together with his team. He says, “It’s definitely been a challenge to come into a family of people who have gone through war together since the beginning of this pandemic. It’s important as a leader to be able to get your feet wet and your hands dirty to build trust. It’s a learning experience for everybody and takes time, but in the end we are all on the same team.”

Although the pandemic has thrown a wrench into the skilled nursing industry, Michael says, “There are always fires and always something going on. The same policies we are implementing for COVID we have implemented for norovirus outbreaks or the flu. The staff is used to the PPE, the cohorting and testing.”

Michael continues, “The major difference is that because COVID is so new there are many unknowns. When you break it down to its essential values, it’s really not so different from other outbreaks. It’s just ever-changing policies and procedures to stay on top of.”

Staying positive during this challenging time has been key as a leader.

Positivity is a word that is commonly thrown around but takes work to achieve. Michael says, “Everyone has challenges, but you have to be able to take a step back and appreciate what you have. Nursing home staff see residents with failing health who still find things to be thankful for. It’s about reframing our perspectives.”

He continues, “Those who work in the nursing home or service industry innately care about other people and have a desire to help better their lives. It shows us not to take things for granted like getting up in the morning on our own, using the washroom or getting dressed independently. Both helping other people and switching to this gratitude attitude infuses positivity into work and life.”

Helping people understand what they can be grateful for and showing them the difference they are making can cultivate a positive work culture. Michael says, “Every organization strives to maximize efficiency and strives to achieve. Showing inspirational videos in team meetings elicits a deep emotional response and helps to build the culture of empathy, compassion, mindfulness and positivity.”

Go to snfspotlight.com to watch the full show and other episodes of the SNF Spotlight Series. Click here to apply to be featured in a future episode.

On this episode of SNF Spotlight Series sponsored by Renewal Rehab, Yitz Rubin spoke with Bill McGinley, President and CEO of the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA). Bill describes the effects of COVID in nursing homes and the effects it has on nursing home staff.

On this episode of SNF Spotlight Series sponsored by Renewal Rehab, Yitz Rubin spoke with Dr. Amish Patel, CEO of Integrated Rehab Consultants. Dr. Patel describes physiatry and its importance in recovering functionality. Amish describes why physiatry has moved from hospitals into skilled nursing facilities.

Dr. Amish Patel graduated medical school from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in 2006. After graduating, he obtained a transitional year internship at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago and graduated with Honors in 2007. Dr. Patel began his specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, IL. While at Marianjoy, he headed up several committees, including the Ethics Committee, Patient Safety Committee. Dr. Patel is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR), and The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA-PALTC). In addition, he serves on the Evidence, Quality, and Performance Committee (EQPC) for the AAPMR.

Of everything that’s changed in the one year since the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, one medical speciality is finally getting its turn in the spotlight. Physiatrists have become key players in the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients. On this episode of SNF Spotlight Series sponsored by Renewal Rehab, Yitz Rubin spoke with Glen Rundell and Cheryl Slavinsky from National Physiatry, which provides care to skilled nursing residents throughout the U.S.

Physiatry is a specialty in medicine made up of physicians who specialize in physical medicine, pain management and rehabilitation. They typically take a holistic, multi-faceted approach to care and are trained to diagnose, treat and direct a rehabilitation plan to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. They collaborate with cardiologists, pulmonologists and others. And they work closely with physical therapists, who carry out the treatment plans. 

Physiatry was already becoming more popular prior to the pandemic because of the growing number of aging Baby Boomers and the fact that people are living longer with advanced medical treatment. The number of COVID-19 patients needing rehabilitation has made physiatry even more necessary.Glen Rundell, the founder and CEO of National Physiatry, has been providing physiatrists to skilled nursing facilities and other post-acute rehab settings for more than a decade, and says he’s only now seeing more recognition among colleagues.