Since Cherry Village Benevolence administrators actively pursue continuing education, they didn’t hesitate to enroll in a comprehensive statewide program, said Jeremy Lewis, chief financial officer at the long-term-care facility.
Lewis and Tina Mingenback are participating in “rigorous specialized training” sponsored by Kansas Adult Care Executives (KACE), Lewis said. Mingenback is the certified dietary manager at Cherry Village, which is a non-profit facility.
“We are always looking for ways to enhance the care and treatment of all our residents,” Lewis said. “We ask ourselves how we can better coordinate with our staff to offer the best person-centered care.
“This is foremost in our minds,” he continued. “We are creating an atmosphere that is more home-like in a less institutionalized setting.”
Since 1972, KACE has been the only professional association dedicated to the unique needs of long-term-care facility administrators. It provides the education and training necessary to stay ahead in this rapidly changing field, Lewis explained.
Mingenback noted KACE requirements include 480 hours of on-site training; she and Lewis expect to complete the hours later this fall.
“Both of us are working with the staff here in every department,” Mingenback said. “The purpose is to be exposed to every aspect of care at Cherry Village.”
When the on-site hours are completed, Lewis and Mingenback will spend several months studying for state and federal exams.
“There are volumes and volumes of information to absorb,” Mingenback said. “Most of it is hands-on training but we do have to hit the books too.”
A recent conference in Wichita was the venue for learning more about new policies and procedures, Medicaid, staffing concerns, and regulatory and legislative issues.
The gathering was designed for current administrators; Lewis and Mingenback attended as guests of Pam Lewis, Cherry Village administrator.
“It was great to learn from Pam and her peers,” Mingenback said. “We also learned new information about food service, medications and medical equipment from speakers and vendors.”
Jalane White, administrator of Pleasant View Home at Inman, is serving as mentor to Jeremy Lewis and Mingenback; having a mentor is mandatory in the KACE program.
Pam Lewis said Cherry Village is fortunate to be associated with Pleasant View Home and its administrator.
“This is a highly ranked facility in Kansas, according to U.S. News & World Report,” Pam Lewis said. “We respect what they have accomplished and are truly grateful to have this connection with one of the best.
“My function in KACE is to act as preceptor for Jeremy and Tina,” she added. “They report in with me once a week to keep me up-to-date on their progress.”
As part of their continuing education, Mingenback and Jeremy Lewis also recently attended an Administrator in Training conference at Topeka where they interacted with peers and government officials. They say they are committed to learning as much as they can to make life a little easier for Cherry Village residents.
Cherry Village, 1401 Cherry Lane, is a non-profit facility managed by a local family.