NKS WESSMAN

The cover of the MHC Foundation’s 2008 calendar. Cover artist Ruth Taylor lived at The Meadows, formerly known as Daniel Health Care, in Fulton when she submitted the artwork; she now resides at The Cedars in Tupelo.

Mississippi Health Care Association (MHCA) announced six national award-winning nursing home facilities, honored volunteers of the year, and unveiled the MHC Foundation’s 2008 calendar at the Winter Business Meeting in December.

Long term care facility and associate members heard speakers from partner organizations involved in regulation and compliance: Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services, Mississippi Office of Nursing Workforce, Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Licensure and Certification, Mississippi Division of Medicaid, and the Office of the Attorney General.

Vanessa Henderson, executive director of MHCA, said the shared discussions and joint training with those agencies and IQH throughout the year enhance the capacity of both facilities’ staff and those who work for regulatory agencies.

“This partnership helps us and them to work with shared knowledge and skills bases on compliance matters, which include regulation and consistency. Such collaborative relationships especially benefit long term care residents,” she said.

This second largest gathering of association members during the year took place Dec. 5 at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum’s Sparkman Auditorium in Jackson.

Excellence in Action Awards
MHCA president C. W. “Tripp” Francis announced facilities that earned the prestigious My InnerView’s Excellence in Action Awards: Brookwood Manor Nursing Center in Leakesville; Louisville Care Center in Louisville, Clarksdale Nursing Center in Clarksdale, Covington County Nursing Center in Collins, Hillcrest Nursing Center in Magee, and Windham House of Hattiesburg in Hattiesburg.

Henderson explained the “quality” importance: “All our members are affiliates of American Health Care Association (AHCA), whose members have a history of striving for quality and performance excellence. In July 2002, AHCA launched the profession-wide initiative called Quality First. Joining AHCA in the commitment to Quality First were the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care and the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

“Through this voluntary initiative,” she added, “every AHCA member is united with long term care providers across the country in a single voice that articulates our promise and commitment to the American public and those we serve every day.”

My InnerView, the applied research and quality management company that presents the Excellence In Action award, supports leaders across the entire assisted living, senior housing and skilled nursing profession with tools to measure, benchmark and improve performance. The Mississippi homes are among only 380 facilities throughout the country receiving the Excellence In Action award.

Volunteers of the Year
Francis and MHCA vice president Eric Holland of Pontotoc recognized five individuals and three groups for their volunteerism.

In the adult category, honorees include Pauline Beasley of the Perry County Nursing Center in Richton, Jill Tolar of Methodist Specialty Care Center in Flowood, and Becky Hawkins of Ocean Springs Nursing Center in Ocean Springs.

Youth volunteers honored were Dawn Wilson of Longwood Community Living Center in Booneville and Brittany Alexander of Beverly Living Center in Amory.

Three groups also garnered attention for their volunteerism: Amory High School Health Cluster, which benefited Beverly Living Center in Amory; Byram Middle School Junior High Beta Club for assistance to Willow Creek Retirement Center in Jackson; and West Civic Center for work at University Nursing Center in Durant.

Foundation Fund-Raiser
The Mississippi Health Care Foundation also unveiled its new calendar for 2008, a major fund-raiser that features artists and their work from facilities statewide. The foundation spends to enhance quality of life and care through buying special medical or other personal items that otherwise would not be accessible, by providing Make-A-Memory events for residents, and through awarding scholarships to long term care workers who desire higher education opportunities.

The foundation, Henderson said, proves “there’s more to long term care than just providing healthcare.” MHCA established the foundation three years ago.

The association itself was established as a trade association in 1953 and now has 220 facility and 80 associate members. MHCA (see www.mshca.com) is Mississippi’s oldest and largest association of nursing homes, personal care homes, and other long term care facilities. MHCA is the state affiliate of the American Health Care Association.



January 2008