Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, the 88-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility, is honoring its administrator, Tracy Wells, for her leadership during National Long-Term Care Administrator’s Week, March 8-13, 2021, sponsored by the American College of Health Care Administrators.
Often cited as the greatest challenge of their careers to date, the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic has required administrators of the nation’s skilled nursing facilities to marshal significant resources together, collaborate, and protect their residents from the virus. Wells is leading Clinton House Rehab through the battle with coronavirus, helping to guard against outbreaks, comforting residents, and maintaining a caring community within the facility.
“Our greatest areas of accomplishment so far during the pandemic were that we had no COVID-19-related deaths, and were able to keep COVID-19 out of our building until November of 2020,” Wells said. “The primary reasons for this are that we were able to maintain our personal protective equipment supply, and due to our strict procedures we passed numerous infection control surveys without any deficiencies. Our staff did a great job during this stressful time.”
Wells first became a skilled nursing facility administrator in 2017. “I chose to go into this industry after 16 years in retail,” she noted. “I moved into a corporate accounts receivable job for the 9-5 hours, but realized sitting in a cubicle without a lot of interaction wasn’t my style.”
She then transferred into human resources, achieving the vice president level, and relocated to Indiana from Buffalo, N.Y., and began working as an administrative assistant for a Corporate Nursing Regulatory Compliance Officer. “I learned so much about the nursing side of the industry. I was afforded the opportunity to participate in a skilled nursing facility administrator-in-training program, and then obtain my Health Facility Administrator license. I love making a difference in the lives of residents, families, and employees!”
Wells’ Role In Resident Care
As a key player in the Clinton House Rehab care team, Wells is entrusted with the responsibility of managing the care of the community’s loved ones. She touches the lives of residents and families, and ensures that the staff provides the highest level of quality care.
To become a skilled nursing facility administrator, it takes commitment and dedication. Upon becoming administrators, these healthcare professionals must continue life-long learning to stay on the cutting edge of top-level care. Administrators are masters of multi-tasking, taking into account every aspect of a person’s life, not just their medical needs, while building a sense of home and community.
Wells noted, “My greatest satisfactions are making resident smiles, promoting employees, and helping families admit their loved ones, and getting a big thank you!”
Wells is a key reason why Clinton House Rehab shares the core principles and standards that reflect the people and beliefs of our region: Genuine Hometown Care, Community Integration, and Employees are Family.