Davenport and Dubuque health-care facilities received a high award.
Two long-term care facilities were given the 2013 Governor’s Award for Quality Care by Governor Terry Branstad.
The winners were Davenport’s Vera French Pine Knoll, a 60-bed residential care facility for people suffering from mental illness; and in Dubuque, the Stonehill Care Center, which is a 177-bed nursing facility.
Seven nominations were entered for Vera French Pine Knoll in Davenport. Two of those were from current residents. Nominations for the facility said care is provided to residents who otherwise may not receive care.
“The staff seems to know and understand the needs, personalities, and moods of each resident,” one nominator wrote.
“They care,” said another.
The facility has been open since 1914, but was originally a tuberculosis sanitarium, which later turned into the Scott County Home. Vera French came into operation in 1987.
Some of the health services they offer are adult day services, case management, community support, outpatient therapy, school-based therapy, and community living.
Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque was nominated for their quality residential and health services, respect and dignity of older adults, and the work of their staff.
“They (Stonehill) have continually changed with the times to meet the needs of their residents and employees,” a nominator wrote.
Stonehill recently added a 57-bed skilled nursing and memory care unit, and a 9,000- square-foot Wellness Center.
“Laughter, warmth, and happiness are words I easily use to describe the environment at this wonderful facility,” another said.
The two facilities were selected by the Iowa Governor out of 28 nominated facilities. Since the awards began in 2001, a total of 47 awards have been given to 42 facilities.
“Stonehill and Vera French both provide outstanding care and services to their residents and the communities in which they are located, and I am delighted to have them selected as recipients of the 2013 Governor’s Award,” Branstad said.
