Deseret Health Group

Deseret Health Group Improves Rehabilitative Services With New Exercise Equipment

2011-11-03T20:23:32+00:00

Residents at Arma Care Center, Deseret Healthcare and Rehabilitation at Wichita, Faribault Care Center, Hutchinson Care Center, McPherson Care Center, Owatonna Care Center, Pratt Care Center, Seville Care Center, and Sumner County Care Center have a new way of exercising.

It's our personal commitment to improve the way we care for our residents and we’re dedicated to improving the quality of life through a wide range of health care options. In order to expand the way the help our residents recover and stay healthy, Deseret Health Group has recently purchased a series of NuStep T4 Cross Trainers for ten of our facilities. This machine has been updated with age-friendly features designed to enhance ease of use for older adults.

The T4 Recumbent Cross Trainer has been the most popular recumbent cross trainer in the healthcare and fitness industries, and it has become the leading product of its kind for home users. It provides simultaneous upper and lower body motion to work all major muscle groups, helping all users to burn calories, build strength, and improve their overall cardiovascular fitness. The T4 simulates a natural walking motion while eliminating undesirable joint stress and promotes functional fitness.

Helping our residents recover from an illness and accident is important and even more important is helping them recover safely. That is why we have chosen to invest in exercise equipment that will greatly help our residents increase their strength and mobility. Clinicians around the world have demonstrated that the T4 is the preferred piece of rehabilitation equipment to ensure safe and effective treatment of individuals with a wide range of ability levels. The T4 Recumbent Cross Trainer was chosen as the Therapy Times 2009 Most Valuable Product in the category of physical therapy products.

About Deseret Health Group

Deseret Health Group is a premier long term health care management company, providing physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation therapy services through its 24 nursing home facilities throughout the Intermountain and Midwest Regions. Our therapists are highly-skilled healthcare professionals who work with your doctor, your nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals to design an individual rehabilitation program based on specific needs. Our specialized rehabilitation services enable residents to regain strength, functionality, and independence once again.

Deseret Health Group Announces Vice President of Clinical Operations

2011-10-25T21:10:29+00:00

BOUNTIFUL, UT, October 25, 2011- Deseret Health Group, a senior healthcare management team, announced the hiring of Jackie Bringhurst, RN, WCC, NHA, CDON as Vice President of Clinical Operations. As Vice President of Clinical Operations, Bringhurst will oversee the strategic direction and nursing operations of Deseret’s Health and Rehab centers. She is responsible for the delivery of competent, effective and safe nursing care services by planning, directing, coordinating and supervising clinical operations. Bringhurst will manage Quality Assurance and ensure that the delivery of care is consistent with state and federal regulations.

With over 13 years of experience, Bringhurst brings an extensive history in long term healthcare. Bringhurst started her career as a CNA and quickly moved up to Assistant Director of Nursing at the Heritage Eastridge Facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. She then became Director of Nursing at the Woodland Park Rehab Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. With great dedication and focus, Bringhurst then moved on to become Regional Nurse Consultant and mostly recently, Director of Clinical Services for a Utah based senior health care company .

Bringhurst received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah. She has further education as a Health Facility Administrator, Wound Care Consultant, and Certified Nursing Instructor. She is a Registered Nurse, Nursing Home Administrator, Program Coordinator for Utah’s Certified Nursing Assistant Program, and member of ANA, NDONA, AAWC, AHCA, and UHCA.

Bringhurst participated in Quality Assurance reviews in cooperation with the Utah, California, Washington, Arizona, and Hawaii guidelines. She has provided leadership and support to clinical teams as well as regional and facility departments.

Having her expertise and knowledge makes Bringhurst a valued asset to Deseret Health Group. She is dedicated in delivering the highest level of commitment and care, having a reputation of consistently going beyond what is expected of her.

Deseret Health Group Announces New Name For Facility in Onaga and New Resident Van

2011-09-26T20:33:04+00:00

ONAGA, KS, September 26, 2011- Golden Acres in Onaga, Kansas announced that its name has officially changed to Deseret Health & Rehab at Onaga. The name change reflects the continued commitment to deliver a higher level of service and dedication by emphasizing rehabilitation services and the corporate philosophy to provide a culture of unique, personalized care to each resident. The name change also unifies itself with the parent company, Deseret Health Group and other Deseret care facilities across the Midwest.

While the name may be changing, Deseret Health Group recognizes the rich history of the care center and embraces it with a higher level of commitment than ever before. The cherished "Golden Acres" rock located in the front of the facility will stay in memory of Larry Rothers, former Golden Acres resident. Deseret will continue with the same culture and community values that Golden Acres personifies.

Residents of Deseret Health & Rehab at Onaga now have a new way to get around town. Deseret has purchased a new van to transport its residents to various appointments, activities, and community outings. The van arrived this week and sparked excitement for all the staff and residents of the skilled nursing facility. "We are thrilled to finally have a new van for our residents," said Carol Henninger, Facility Assistant Administrator, “The van is safe and comfortable with a wider wheelchair lift to accommodate the new models now being used." The 14-passenger van can hold up to 12 passengers and two wheelchairs.

Deseret Health & Rehab at Onaga provides premier long term senior health care along with physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation therapy services. The care center offers a warm personalized setting where most of the staff has worked there for years. The dedicated Administrative and nursing staff knows that caring is not only their job, but it’s also a big part of their lives. Residents rest at ease knowing they are cared for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Deseret Health & Rehab offers a range of activities for residents so they maintain vigorous and productive lives. Deseret is a place that is full of life!

For more information or to schedule a tour at the facility please contact Assistant Administrator, Carol Henninger at (785) 889-4227.

Pratt Care Center Hires New Facility Administrator

2011-08-30T20:55:35+00:00

Pratt, KANSAS, August 30, 2011- Deseret Health Group, a premier long-term senior care management company headquartered in Centerville, Utah with centers throughout the Intermountain and Midwest, announced the hiring of a new facility administrator, Janel Burr for the Pratt Care Center located at 1221 Larimer Street. Being well-experienced and highly qualified, Janel is committed to bringing resident care to an enhanced level.

Janel has over eight years of facility administrator experience and over 25 years experience as a Medical Technologist. She has a strong background in culture change and is committed to enhancing the lives of the center’s residents. She has served on an Allied Health Advisory Board, and received the Administrator of the Year Award from the Kansas Activities Director Association. Janel also served as the administrator for a facility that received the Kansas nursing home PEAK (Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas) Award twice and the National Quality First Award sponsored by the American Health Care Association. Janel is known for her commitment for making each facility a safe and secure living environment. Janel oversaw a facility that received three zero deficiency surveys through the annual state of Kansas survey process.

Beyond being committed to her residents, Janel is also committed to the community. She has been involved with the 4-H program, served on the Edwards County Chamber of Commerce Board, and is an organist for her church. She is constantly looking for new ways to volunteer in the community and is looking forward to becoming involved with community activities in Pratt.

Janel and her husband, Doug, live in Kinsley where they have a farming operation. Janel recalled a memorable event when she took some residents for a ride in the combine as she was cutting wheat. Janel and Doug have three children, two daughters and one son, and two grandsons.

What makes Janel successful is her charge for culture change. Janel remarks, “Culture change is extremely important. I envision my parents living here and I don’t want our facility to be like a nursing home. I want to make the facility more homelike and convert it into a place where it doesn’t feel institutionalized. I want to serve our residents in the most dignified way possible.”

Janel is finding small ways to make Pratt Care Center feel less like an institution and more like a home. She has found that using colored linens instead of white ones gives their facility a more homely feel. Also eliminating the traditional nursing station and bringing in sofas and recliners promotes the culture change within the facility.

Deseret Health Group brings significant experience and has demonstrated success in the long term health care sector. Deseret Health Group has facilities in four states with 16 facilities located in Kansas. The management team has a proven record for converting distressed senior centers into successful, functioning facilities with high-quality senior and rehabilitative care.

Deseret Health Group Announces New Name for Facility in Smith Center

2011-08-26T20:52:27+00:00

SMITH CENTER, KS, August 26, 2011- Smith County Care Center in Smith Center, Kansas announced that its name has officially changed to Deseret Health & Rehab at Smith Center. The name change reflects the continued commitment to deliver a higher level of service and dedication by emphasizing rehabilitation services and the corporate philosophy to provide a culture of unique and personalized care to each resident. The name change also unifies itself with the parent company, Deseret Health Group and other Deseret care facilities across the Midwest.

While the name maybe changing, Deseret Health Group, recognizes the rich history of the care center and embraces it with a higher level of commitment than ever before. Deseret will continue with the same culture and community values that Smith County Care Center personifies, now with a name that people know and trust. Deseret wants to extend their community of care outwards with loving and supporting hands across the heartland of America.

Deseret Health & Rehab at Smith Center provides premier long term senior health care along with physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation therapy services. The care center offers a warm personalized setting where most of the staff has worked there for years. The dedicated Administrative and nursing staff knows that caring is not only their job, but it’s also a big part of their lives. Residents rest at ease knowing they are cared for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Deseret Health & Rehab offers a range of activities for residents so they maintain vigorous and productive lives. Deseret is a place that is full of life!

For more information or to schedule a tour at the facility please contact Facility Administrator, James Struckhoff at (785) 282-6696.

Deseret Health Group Announces New Name For Facility in Kensington

2011-08-26T20:39:46+00:00

Kensington KS, August 26, 2011- Prairie Haven Care Center in Kensington, Kansas announced that its name has officially changed to Deseret Health & Rehab at Kensington. The name change reflects the continued commitment to deliver a higher level of service and dedication by emphasizing rehabilitation services and the corporate philosophy to provide a culture of unique and personalized care to each resident. The name change also unifies itself with the parent company, Deseret Health Group and other Deseret care facilities across the Midwest.

While the name maybe changing, Deseret Health Group, recognizes the rich history of the care center and embraces it with a higher level of commitment than ever before. Deseret will continue with the same culture and community values that Prairie Haven personifies, now with a name that people know and trust. Deseret wants to extend their community of care outwards with loving and supporting hands across the heartland of America.

Deseret Health & Rehab at Kensington provides premier long term senior health care along with physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation therapy services. The care center offers a warm personalized setting where most of the staff has worked there for years. The dedicated Administrative and nursing staff knows that caring is not only their job, but it’s also a big part of their lives. Residents rest at ease knowing they are cared for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Deseret Health & Rehab offers a range of activities for residents so they maintain vigorous and productive lives. Deseret is a place that is full of life!

For more information or to schedule a tour at the facility please contact Facility Administrator, James Struckhoff at (785) 476-2623.

Deseret Health Group Announces New Name For Facility in Colby

2011-08-26T20:35:42+00:00

COLBY, KS, August 26, 2011- Colby Care Center in Colby, Kansas announced that its name has officially changed to Deseret Health & Rehab at Colby. The name change reflects the continued commitment to deliver a higher level of service and dedication by emphasizing rehabilitation services and the corporate philosophy to provide a culture of unique and personalized care to each resident. The name change also unifies itself with the parent company, Deseret Health Group and other Deseret care facilities across the Midwest.

While the name maybe changing, Deseret Health Group, recognizes the rich history of the care center and embraces it with a higher level of commitment than ever before. Deseret will continue with the same culture and community values that Colby Care Center personifies, now with a name that people know and trust. Deseret wants to extend their community of care outwards with loving and supporting hands across the heartland of America.

Deseret Health & Rehab at Colby provides premier long term senior health care along with physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation therapy services. The care center offers a warm personalized setting where most of the staff has worked there for years. The dedicated Administrative and nursing staff knows that caring is not only their job, but it’s also a big part of their lives. Residents rest at ease knowing they are cared for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Deseret Health & Rehab offers a range of activities for residents so they maintain vigorous and productive lives. Deseret is a place that is full of life!

For more information or to schedule a tour at the facility please contact Facility Administrator, Rhonda Barton Rhan at (785) 462-6721.

Safety Incentives - Joy Delmont

2011-08-23T17:37:32+00:00

Safety Incentives Program Awards Oswego Nursing and Rehabilitation’s, Joy Delmont

{image_1}OSWEGO, Kansas, August 22, 2011- One of the increasing concerns at long term care facilities is the difficulty of keeping its residents safe in order to protect against falls and other types of accidents. To help combat with the increasing challenges, Oswego Nursing and Rehabilitation's parent company Deseret Health Group has initiated a Safety Incentive Program among their 24 healthcare facilities in order to keep their residents safe at all times. The incentive program includes a raffle drawing twice a year for a 40-inch flat screen TV. A recent raffle was held for all those who had zero accidents. Amongst all the nominees, Joy Delmont at the Oswego Nursing and Rehabilitation, located on 1104 Ohio Street in Oswego won the recent drawing. Joy smiled with excitement as the television was delivered to her.

Delmont has worked at Oswego Nursing and Rehabilitation at Oswego as a Certified Nursing Assistant for over 10 years and has been accident free for all of those years. Dana Dugger, Facility Administrator at Deseret, noted Delmont’s work ethic and said, “Joy is a great employee and is a very dedicated to each resident. She is very dependable and well educated on how to keep our residents safe.”

Oswego Nursing and Rehabilitation’s philosophy includes gives back to the community, residents, and employees. This program is a way to show appreciation for each employee’s hard work to keep each resident safe. Increasing safety at each facility shows residents their commitment to serve them and keep them safe.

Deseret Health Group Announces Vice President of Therapy Operations: Doug Shepherd

2011-08-01T15:51:42+00:00

Deseret Health Group Announces Vice President of Therapy Operations

CENTERVILLE, UT, August 1, 2011 — Deseret Health Group, a senior healthcare management team company, announced the hiring of Doug Shepherd as Vice President of Therapy Operations. Shepherd is a registered physical therapist and will be responsible to oversee all therapy related issues including therapy management on a day-to-day basis.

Shepherd graduated from BYU and received his Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology. He then went on to receive his Masters of Physical Therapy from the University of Pacific in Stockton, California.

Shepherd has experience in orthopedics, neuro rehab, geriatrics, and manual therapy. He was introduced into geriatrics and long term care by accident and has remained there for 16 out of his 18 years in physical therapy. He had worked as a facility Rehab Manager for five years then moved into a corporate position with Theraprime, LLC. He then acted as Vice President of Therapy Operations with Deseret Therapy from its inception until the end of 2007. After, he worked as Clinical Manager for a contract therapy services provider for over three years before coming to Deseret Health Group as Vice President of Therapy Operations.

“I am excited to be apart of the Deseret Team,” Shepherd announced, “We are committed to offering the best care and the highest quality therapy services to our patients and residents.”

Shepherd also holds credentials as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and has been an ACE-certified personal trainer.

“I have known Doug and have always found him to be a person of integrity and honesty,” said Scott Stringham, COO for Deseret Health Group. “I am so grateful to have him on our team as we all work together in our effort to continue to usher in the highest quality of care to the residents that we serve.”

NEW TRANSPORTATION VAN FOR LOGAN VALLEY MANOR, ALSO OPEN TO SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY

2011-06-07T16:25:39+00:00

LYONS, NEBRASKA, June 7^th, 2011– Residents of the Logan Valley Manor now have a new way to get around town.

Logan Valley Manor has purchased a new van to transport its residents to various appointments, activities, and community outings. The van arrived last week and sparked excitement for all the staff and residents of the skilled nursing facility.

"We are thrilled to finally have a new van for our residents," said Terri Mentink, Facility Administrator, “The van is safe and comfortable with a wider wheelchair lift to accommodate the new models now being used.

The 14-passenger van can be holds 12 passengers and two wheelchairs and replaces the older van that held just seven passengers. According to Mentink, the van allows many more residents to participate in off-site activities and outings, especially those residents who need a wheelchair to get around.

This summer the van will be available for senior citizens in the Lyons community to use for transportation to and from hospital and doctor visits within a 50 mile radius. A minimal fee of $15 an hour will be charged to cover costs. Transportation for Logan Valley Manor residents is available free of charge.

For more information on Logan Valley Manor or if you are a senior citizen interested in the transportation service, please contact Terri Mentink at (402) 687-2636.

Expedition participants set off to Bolivia June 3rd

2011-06-02T14:09:11+00:00

Friday, June 3^rd nine Deseret Health Group Employees will set off for a humanitarian expedition to the western highlands of Bolivia. The group will be traveling to the village of Kokata to work with villagers on a water system that will bring clean drinking water to their village.Deseret Health Group is a corporate sponsor of CHOICE Humanitarian, an organization that works to build underdeveloped villages into empowered, successful communities and who organizes humanitarian trips like these.CHOICE focuses on connecting villagers with the resources, tools, and opportunities they need to increase the health, education, and prosperity of their community. Its efforts are made most successful because they work with locals living within the villages they are striving to help, and they partner with both corporate and humanitarian organizations.

This will mark the third humanitarian expedition Deseret has participated in, in the last year.

Participants:

Jody Ninemire (Edgar)
Sue Hofstetter (Edgar)
Jim Bolton (Smith Center)
Melisa Lang (Wichita)
Jon Robertson
Scott Stringham
Lars Elliott
Clayton South
Ty Robertson

Today, 1.1 billon people do not have access to clean drinking water. 1.1 BILLION! It is a staggering and sobering number. Water projects like this one are happening all over Bolivia. These projects provide access to a vital resource, the build on the community’s leadership, and ability to make future dreams come true.

Deseret Health Group Expands Kansas Footprint with Four New Acquisitions

2011-04-26T22:15:45+00:00

Deseret Health Group Expands Kansas Footprint with Four New Acquisitions

CENTERVILLE, UT.,April 27, 2011- Deseret Health Group, a premier long-term senior-care management company headquartered in Centerville, Utah with centers throughout the Intermountain and Midwest, announced today that they have added a group of nursing homes to their portfolio, expanding its footprint to senior citizens in Kansas.

Effective May 1, 2011 Deseret Health Group will assume management and operational responsibilities of four skilled nursing facilities (1) Lakewood Senior Living of Seville in Wichita, Kansas (2) Lakewood Senior Living of Haviland in Haviland, Kansas (3) Lakewood Senior Living of Pratt in Pratt, Kansas and (4) Legacy Park in Peabody, Kansas. Following closing the Company will change the name of the facilities to Seville Care Center, Haviland Care Center, Pratt Care Center and Peabody Care Center.

The four properties, which together are comprised of 271 skilled beds, 50 of which are classified mental health beds, and an additional 19 residential care beds, complement the Company's existing nursing home facilities and further grow its existing expertise in long term and short term care. With four Deseret facilities already in operation in the Central/Wichita Kansas area, the new facility acquisitions are competitively positioned in familiar markets.

"This transaction is consistent with Deseret’s stated strategy of broadening our product and service offering along the continuum of care," said Garett Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of Deseret Health Group. "With the addition of these acquisitions, Deseret’s leadership team is posed to continue our growth while keeping our focus on rural areas across the Intermountain and Midwest Regions. We continue to welcome opportunities of expansion."

Combined with other Nebraska and Minnesota transactions closed earlier this year, Deseret Health Group now operates 24 facilities in four states across the Intermountain and Midwest regions. Deseret Health Group has a proven record for converting distressed senior centers into successful, functioning facilities with high-quality senior and rehabilitative care.

Deseret Announces Regional Clinical Directors

2011-04-26T22:15:44+00:00

With our continued commitment to quality care, Deseret is pleased to announce the following positions to the Regional Management Team: Minid Estes as Regional Clinical Director over the Kansas Regions and Terri Ringhofer as Regional Clinical Director over the Minnesota, Nebraska and Utah Regions. Deseret's Clinical Directors will work closely with the Operational and Regional Management Team and will be responsible for establishing, monitoring and ensuring quality care to the residents while adhering to the federal and state licensing statures. Please join me in congratulating and supporting these team members in their new positions.

Garett Robertson Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Utah Region Finalists

2011-04-20T16:13:10+00:00

(article from www.ey.com)

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2011 Utah Region finalists announced

Celebrating 25 years of inspiration

Salt Lake City, 20 April 2011 — Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Utah Region finalists. This group of outstanding entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous winners of the award, leading CEOs, private capital investors and other regional business leaders. The winners will be revealed at a gala event on June 23, 2011 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“These finalists create jobs in our area, encouraging community development and innovation in our broader economy,” said David Jolley, Entrepreneur Of The Year Utah Region Program Director. “No matter who wins on June 23 we know one thing for sure – the Utah Region is enriched by every one of these finalists.”

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2011 Utah Region finalists are:

Paul Morrell, President, Al-Morrell Development, LLC
David Dangerfield, President and CEO, Avalon Health Care, Inc.
Matthew Pineda, President, Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC
Phil Hansen, CEO, CLEARLINK
Dean Hoffman, Executive Director, Columbus Community Center
David Jenkins, President/CEO, Conservice, LLC
Garett Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Deseret Health Group, Inc.
Troy Crosland, President, Diamond Wireless
Danielle Nielson, Executive Vice President, Diamond Wireless
Stephen Neeleman, CEO, HealthEquity, Inc
Susan Preator, CEO & President, Imagine Learning, Inc.
Ted Broman, President, IntegraCore, LLC
Bradley Wiskirchen, CEO, Keynetics
Jason Kilgore, President, Kilgore Companies, LLC
Larry Stevens, President and CEO, Med One Capital
Brent Allen, Executive Vice President of Sales and Leasing, Med One Capital
Corbin Church, CEO, Miche Bag LLC
William Haberstock, CEO, Million Air - Salt Lake City
Nick Greer, CEO, One On One Marketing
Kelly Walker, CEO, Pinnacle Security
Orville Thompson, CEO, Scentsy, Inc.
Heidi Thompson, President, Scentsy, Inc.
Steven Bain, President and Co-founder, Simply Mac
Karen George, President, Wasatch Clinical Research
Allan Ainsworth, PhD, Executive Director, Wasatch Homeless Health Care/Fourth Street Clinic
Dustin Heuston, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Waterford Institute
Robert Mendenhall, President, Western Governors University
Paul Fairholm, Founding Member, Western States Lodging and Management
David Webster, Founding Member, Western States Lodging and Management
Kirk Olsen, Founding Member, Western States Lodging and Management
Richard Miles, Founding Member, Western States Lodging and Management
Stephen Miles, Founding Member, Western States Lodging and Management

The Entrepreneur Of The Year Program honors entrepreneurs regionally in June, leading up to the national awards in November. Additionally, venture-backed companies that win an Entrepreneur Of The Year Award regionally are also eligible for the Entrepreneur Of The Year Venture Capital Award of Excellence on a national level. The overall National US winner then moves on to compete for the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June.

This year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Program celebrates its 25th anniversary. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries throughout the world. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

New name and $2 million renovation planned for Wellington’s nursing home

2011-04-01T16:28:57+00:00

New name and $2 million renovation planned for Wellington's nursing home

WELLINTOGN, KS, April 1, 2011 - Slate Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation in Wellington, Kansas announced that its name has officially changed to Sumner County Care Center. The name was changed to reflect the site's location and service to Sumner County. The facility also announced a long-planned $2 million renovation of the building scheduled to start in May and will take approximately eleven months to complete.

While renovations are underway, the nursing home will continue to function uninterrupted. The renovation will take place on the facilities two floors, converting the basement into a top notch therapy and rehabilitation gym for both residents and community members with a spacious lounge for sponsoring local chamber and family events. The main floor will add an additional companion room resulting in 46-bed living community, with beautiful new interior décor.

The building was built in the late 1950’s and still has the majority of the original infrastructure, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems. Major mechanical, electrical, and plumbing structures will be renovated, replaced and upgraded as well as an interior transformation. The modifications are planned to retrofit the building to current code.

“There’s a lot of excitement about the plans among our residents and staff,” said Nikki Teel, Sumner County Care Center Administrator. “We’re working hard to minimize any inconvenience during the construction and look forward to hosting an open house to showcase our beautiful new building.”

Overlooking the Wellington Golf Course, Sumner County Care Center is a 44-bed facility and offers residents a home-away-from-home environment where families can gather and residents feel safe. The staff is committed to providing outstanding quality care, including 24-hour nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapies as well as social services and bariatric care.

Exeter Care Center is holding a benefit for Lori Ruhl-Walford

2011-03-02T19:17:24+00:00

Exeter Care Center is holding a benefit for Lori Ruhl-Walford

Saturday, March 26th, 2011, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM @ Exeter Care Center

Lori was diagnosed with bile duct cancer at age 49. The struggle began in 2010 and the adventure will continue for many more months as Lori fights her way from cancer patient to cancer survivor. Her family and friends are putting together this benefit because although they can’t ease the burden of the disease, they can ease the strain on her budget. All donations and proceeds from the Lori Ruhl-Walford Benefit will go to medical expenses and loss wages from missed work.Exeter Care Center has teamed up with numerous businesses and individuals for entertainment, booths, games, raffles and a silent auction of over $1000 dollars in prizes. Exeter Care Center will serve loose meat sandwich meal for a free will donation.

Raffle Item #1: Bathroom Boutique, donated by Erdkamp Motors

It is a "Bathroom Boutique", 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 2 washclothes, 2 accent hand towels, Croscill Home Accessories, toothbrush holder, drinking glass, soap dish, lotion pump, Sapphire Nights- bath fizzes, Yardley London soap, Whispering Wicks candle, Vitamin E lotion, toothbrushes. Value is $150.00,

But it Now Price $175. To “Buy Now” for the raffle items contact Melanie Ruhl @ (402)266-4501 or mruhl@deserethealth.com

to view item https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=34653&id=126531250728459&ref=mf

Raffle Item #2: Donated by Tabitha Health Care Services

The basket includes: 2 Pasta Bowls, Spaghetti, Traditional and Alfredo Sauce, Sparkling Grape Juice, Two Goblets, One Candlestick, Tabitha Cookbook. Value $40.00

But it Now Price $50. To “Buy Now” for the raffle items contact Melanie Ruhl @ (402)266-4501 or mruhl@deserethealth.com

to view item https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=34653&id=126531250728459&ref=mf

Raffle Item #3: "Hoppy Spring Pot", Donated by Volkmer Trucking: Bill and Terri Volkmer

This basket ncludes 1 pot, 1 bag of potting soil, 3 frog plant hangers, 1 frog net, 1 we salute frog, 1 welcome frog, 1 pair of garden gloves and 1 floppy fog plant stick. Value: $50.00.

But it Now Price $60. To “Buy Now” for the raffle items contact Melanie Ruhl @ (402)266-4501 or mruhl@deserethealth.com

Deseret Health Group Announces Deseret Merit Scholarship

2011-02-07T17:53:48+00:00

Deseret Merit Scholarship

Deseret Health Group will be offering a $5000 dollar scholarship for tuition, housing and books. This scholarship program was established by Deseret Health Group for sons and daughters of Deseret Health Group (and it’s entities) employees. The biennial (occurring every two years) Deseret Merit Scholarship competition is conducted by Deseret Health Group board of Directors. All aspects of the selection of winners and the administration of their awards are handled by Deseret Health Group Board of Directors. Participants are required to complete an application, submit three current letters of recommendation, a personal essay, a personal photo and an unofficial high school transcript.

Those wishing to enter can obtain a scholarship application from any Deseret Health Group administrator. All interested, qualified students are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. For more information please contact Katie Nisbet at knisbet@deserethealth.com.

A completed application pack must be submitted by April 1, 2011 to:

Katie Nisbet, Public Relations Director
500 North Market Place Drive, Ste. 500
Centerville, Utah 84014
or by email knisbet@deserethealth.com
Incomplete or late application packets will not be accepted.

Deseret Health Group under contract with 2 new facilities

2011-01-24T18:31:19+00:00

Deseret Health Group is currently under contract with two skilled nuring facilities in Kansas. More details to follow.

Deseret Health Group schedules humanitarian expedition

2011-01-20T18:15:13+00:00

JANUARY 24, 2011- Deseret Health Group annouced today that they have scheduled another humanitarian expedition to Bolivia on June 3rd - 12th, 2011. Participants, yet to be announced, will travel to the landlocked nation in the center of South America to assist the villagers of the Altiplano. In June of 2010, 12 long time Deseret employees across Kansas and Utah spent nine days digging irrigation ditches, opening two elementary schools, and providing a helping hand to villagers. The expeditions are lead by CHOICE Humanitarian, a philanthropic organization committed to ending poverty by building sustainable villages and bridging the gap between American corporations and villagers. For more information on CHOICE Humanitarian visit www.choicehumanitarian.org.

Deseret Returns From Humanitarian Expedition

2011-01-17T23:10:07+00:00

Deseret Health Group recently returned from a humanitarian expedition on January 15^th, 2011 from Mexico. 13 Deseret Health Group employees traveled to a small village of La Joyita in the mountains outside of Leon, Mexico. The expedition participants spent nine days in various parts of areas including Irapuato, La Joyita and Guanajuato with the primary objective to assist in the construction of a new schoolhouse to accommodate village children. The participants completed the foundation for the school as well as most of the walls. In addition they helped build a cistern, a waterproof receptacle for holding water, to aid in catching and storing clean, drinkable rainwater. Despite the fact that they couldn’t complete the school in such a short time frame, the trip was a success. The villagers were adamant they would complete the school and send pictures in a couple weeks when it will be completed.This is the second expedition Deseret has participated in, in the last 8 months. An expedition to Bolivia is scheduled for June 3^rd, 2011.

To view photos of the trip visit our facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Deseret-Health-Group/126531250728459

1 Million dollar renovation planned for Deseret’s Salt Lake care center

2011-01-17T21:54:11+00:00

Deseret Health Group announced that they have assumed management and operational responsibilities of ‘Sugar House Nursing and Rehabilitation’ located on 950 East 3300 South. The facility has been renamed ‘Deseret Care Center’. The property is located in the heart of South Salt Lake and currently has 51 residents. A distressed property, Deseret Health Group is dedicated to improving this facility and has committed a $1 million dollar renovation that is planned to begin later this month or early February.

New management for Sugar House nursing facility commits to quality service and $1 mil in upgrades

2011-01-13T16:31:00+00:00

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, January 13, 2011- Deseret Health Group, a premier long-term senior-care management company, has assumed management and operations of Sugar House Nursing and Rehabilitation, a skilled nursing facility located at 950 East 3300 South. The facility will now operate under the moniker of Deseret Care Center. Although headquartered in Centerville, Utah, Deseret Health Group manages facilities in rural areas across Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota. Deseret Care Center will be the company’s first managed facility in the state of Utah. A $1 million dollar renovation is schedule to begin later this winter.

Deseret Health Group brings significant experience and has demonstrated success in the long term health care sector. The management team has a proven record for converting distressed senior centers into successful, functioning facilities with high-quality senior and rehabilitative care.

Newly hired facility Administrator, Joyce Halling said "Our focus is to assure our community that with this change their loved ones will continue to be cared for in a manner that is compassionate, respectful and quality oriented.”

Halling, well known in the long term care industry, has over 30 years experience and has owned and operated seven health care facilities in Utah. With the After months of planning and the recent transition, Halling is confident that the new management and total renovation will provide an added value to the center’s residents, staff and community members.

Deseret Care Center specializes in providing care to residents with advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, Dementia and other psychiatric needs as well as residents needing long-term skilled care or specialized medical care. Deseret Care Center offers customized care plans for every resident with a wide variety of on-site services including 24-hour nursing care and on-call physicians; physical, occupational and speech therapy; restorative programs; wound care; and respite care.

About Deseret Health Group

Headquartered in Centerville, Utah, Deseret Health Group is a premier long term health care management company, offering 24-hour nursing care, pharmacy consulting; on-call physician services; physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation therapy services; registered nurses; licensed health care administrators; medical social workers; interdisciplinary care team and dietary consultants through its 20 nursing home facilities throughout the Intermountain and Midwest Regions. Our family philosophy ensures loved ones are respected and cared for by the most professional staff, with regard to their health, individuality and dignity. Specializing in the management of skilled nursing and senior healthcare centers since 2006, Deseret Health Group honors an attitude that the wisest years of life should be tended to with compassion. Our long-term care centers serve the heartland of America, with locations in community-minded, rural areas across Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Utah. As part of our commitment to providing the thoughtful, individualized care for loved ones, we keep our centers at around 50 beds each.

Topeka’s newest nursing home, Mayor cuts ribbon

2011-01-07T00:12:27+00:00

Washburn Communtiy Care Center celebrated their opeing with a ribbon cutting. The city mayor, chamber members and city manager came to support Topeka's newest nursing home in a celebration on January 5th, 2011.

After a $1 million dollar renovation, Topeka’s newest long term care center opens

2010-12-28T16:36:12+00:00

TOPEKA, KS, December 28, 2010- Deseret Health Group announced that after a $1 million dollar renovation it has opened Washburn Community Care Center, a 31-bed nursing facility, in Topeka, Kansas.

Washburn Care Center located at 1334 SW Buchanan, is conveniently six blocks south of Topeka’s local hospitals and two blocks east off of Washburn Avenue, across from Robinson Middle School.

The building has been closed since 2003 and in 2009, under Deseret Health Group’s direction, underwent a $1 million dollar renovation. Changes included an expansion of the common areas as well as the elimination of smaller rooms in favor of larger more comfortable semi private and private rooms and couple suites. The care center boasts a flat screen television available in resident rooms, subtle paint, brand new furniture and an inviting family-room-like setting. New plumbing and electrical was placed throughout as well as a new roof to ensure lasting stability.

The care center includes a sun-filled dining room, a functional kitchen and therapy room. Other features include rooms for family visits and functions, an outside courtyard, hair salon and an activities room to host entertainment programs and religious services. The care center’s couple suites also accommodate couples, who both require nursing home care, to live together in the same household.

"This newly renovated facility will enable individuals to receive the care and support they need in their home community, close to family and friends," said Christine Grimm, Community Relations Director at Washburn Community Care Center.

Residents have access to 24-hour nursing care as well as dietary and pharmacy services and physical, occupational and speech therapy.

The centrally located facility is in the heart of Topeka in a residential neighborhood. "The core of this company is community based,” Grimm said, "Having these services in a community setting means we can really work with the schools, hospitals and neighbors that are so close to us to create a sense of community by involving our residents, employees and colleagues to volunteer their time to local clubs, schools, sports teams, libraries, museums, and the like. These are things that we look for to really serve the community and give excellent care," she said.

To celebrate the opening of Washburn Community Care Center a Ribbon Cutting is scheduled for January 5^th.

About Deseret Health Group

Deseret Health Group is a premier long term health care management company, providing physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation therapy services through its 20 nursing home facilities throughout the Intermountain and Midwest Regions. The company offers 24 hour nursing care, pharmacy consulting, and physician services; and registered nurses, licensed practical/vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, licensed health care administrators, medical social workers, interdisciplinary care team and dietary consultants. Headquartered in Centerville, Utah, Deseret Health Group was founded in 2006.

Deseret Health Group Expands to Utah and Minnesota

2010-12-27T20:56:16+00:00

Deseret Health Group, a premier long-term senior-care management company headquartered in Centerville, Utah with centers throughout the Midwest, announced today that they have added a group of nursing homes to their portfolio, expanding its quality care to senior citizens in Utah and Minnesota.

Beginning January 1, 2011 Deseret Health Group will assume management and operational responsibilities of four skilled nursing facilities located in Utah and Minnesota which include (1) Deseret Care Center, formally Sugar House Nursing and rehab in Salt Lake City, Utah, (2) Faribault Care Center, formally Faribault Commons in Faribault, Minnesota (3) Owatonna Care Center, formally Owatonna Commons in Owatonna, Minnesota (4) Willmar Care Center, Formally Willmar Commons in Willmar, Minnesota.

The facilities have on aggregate 200 beds, expanding Deseret’s presence into Minnesota and Utah, while adding to the 16 facilities in operation throughout Kansas and Nebraska.

Combined with other Nebraska transactions closed earlier this year, Deseret Health Group now operates 20 facilities in four states across the Intermountain and Midwest regions. Deseret Health Group has a proven record for converting distressed senior centers into successful, functioning facilities with high-quality senior and rehabilitative care.

INSIDE HEALTHCARE - FEATURED ARTICLE “Community Caring”

2010-12-02T00:38:01+00:00

"Community Caring"

Inside Healthcare Magazine, by Erica Garvin

Want to know what makes Deseret Health Group so successful? Look no further than its insignia: the beehive. In fact, deseret is a word derived from the Book of Mormon meaning honeybee. So what do bees have to do with good business? They represent working and thriving by operating as a community—a recipe for success that is proving to be sweet for this senior care provider.

“It’s the perfect icon to represent who we are and what we can achieve by working together,” said Garrett Robertson, CEO. “Acting as a community, both as an organization and within our communities, is at the core of everything we do.”

Deseret Health Group is a family-owned, rural senior healthcare management company based in Centerville, Utah. Formed in 2006, it provides physical, occupational, and speech therapy services through its 13 nursing homes in Kansas and its four newly acquired facilities in Nebraska. Although the senior care provider is quite young, the company is making quite an impact by becoming an integral part of the small rural communities it serves.

“One of the reasons we got into this small-town niche is that we enjoy making the connections and relationships that you can’t necessarily make in bigger urban settings,” said Robertson. “Some of our employees were babysat by some our residents. Roots run deep here. If we didn’t acknowledge the significance of that then our methods of establishing business in these communities wouldn’t be right.”

Building the hive
For Deseret Health Group, it is all about the approach. That’s why it’s doing more than simply providing quality services through its nursing homes. Robertson said the members of the organization are stepping out into its communities and making its presence of support well known.

“We are trying to foster healthy relationships with our communities any way we can,” said Robertson. “We hire local vendors to support the local business environment. We get involved with local chambers and organizations, and we sponsor fundraising events to show the residents our commitment to their communities.”

Getting involved isn’t only beneficial for the community, but also a great character-building process for Deseret Health Group’s employees, said Robertson. Giving employees the latitude to develop these fundraising events helps align them with the mission of the organization.

“We don’t develop a set price or principle about how we are going to support our communities,” said Robertson. “We oversee the process and finalize the decisions, but we want our employees to participate in helping our communities and treat each event as it’s own unique opportunity.”

That flexible attitude has allowed Deseret Health Group to hold some very successful functions. Thanks to the creative idea of one committed employee, a motorcycle rally and barbecue held to raise money for the community’s veterans drew more than 1,500 supporters to a town of only 800 people. By making efforts like that, Deseret Health Group is becoming a recognized resource for its communities, earning them the respect as if they’ve been a part of those communities for more than 50 years, said Robertson.

The senior care provider has taken this character and community-building concept global by joining forces with Choice Humanitarian in their efforts to end poverty in small, isolated villages. Deseret Health Group takes employees from all facets of its operation on these retreats to participate in projects, helping village residents improve their living conditions.

Last year, the organization traveled to Bolivia to dig irrigation ditches, open two elementary schools, and provide a helping hand to villagers. This year, Robertson will travel with a group to Mexico to build schoolhouses. “It’s such a great program; it helps us show our employees how the work we do in these countries relates to our mission and the work we do within our own communities, helping our nursing home residents become more self-sufficient and achieve better lifestyles.”

A lifestyle worth living
Building a community doesn’t just take place outside of Deseret Health Group. In fact, it’s most important priority is building a strong community feeling within its facilities. Each of the senior health group’s locations is designed to feel like a place to live, not a clinical setting where people go to exist, said Roberts.

“Our efforts to create a welcoming environment go beyond paint and furniture,” said Robertson. “Anyone can put a new chair in a hospital; that doesn’t make it a home. From paint to carpet to the way we coordinate our spaces and schedule our activities, we’re making our establishments feel like as home-like as possible.

In addition to providing a family-room-like setting in many of its areas, Deseret Health Group’s facilities offer social activities to help its residents participate in the enjoyable aspects of normal everyday living.

“Every nursing home has bingo, but that doesn’t mean you want to play it every Tuesday,” said Robertson. “Would you play bingo every Tuesday if you were living at home? Probably not. That’s why we try to do barbecues and gatherings in addition to weekly activities—things our residents would do in their lives no matter where they were living.”

Reaching out and enhancing seniors’ lives is what Deseret Health Group is all about. That’s why Robertson and his leadership team are in the process of setting a strategic plan to keep grow their organization bigger while keeping their focus on those small town areas in need. The company recently made quite a few executive changes and is poised and ready to welcome opportunities of expansion, said Robertson.

“I am not content with the atmosphere of the typical nursing home community,” said Robertson. “Although many great providers are making changes to remedy that, a lot of those changes don’t touch our small, rural communities. Our goal is to keep helping those small towns by being involved in their communities and providing them with the nursing home settings their senior residents deserve.”

New Bathing Tub at Golden Acres

2010-11-10T17:22:11+00:00

ONAGA, KANSAS- November 10, 2010 -- With nursing home bathing systems becoming increasingly state-of-the-art, Golden Acres has recently purchased an Invacare Side Entry Whirlpool Bathing Tub with easy side entry access for the facility’s residents. This addition enhances comfort, safety, and easy access for a range of residents.

“Residents are already benefiting from the new tub,” said Sherry Wahl, Golden Acres Administrator, “With walls redone and new porcelain tile floor, the whole room has been transformed to promote tranquility while bathing in a relaxing atmosphere.”

The Whirlpool tub has a large wide door that swings to a full open position and allows easy and safe transfer for ambulatory residents or residents who require assistance. The tub includes four easily cleaned jets that aid in increasing blood circulation, relieving pain and facilitating healing. The bathing tub also allows for full immersion bathing while in a seated position. The shower wand features an integrated flow control lever to deliver the desired water pressure.

"Without question providing the highest quality services is our main priority and it’s a plus to provide those services in a calming atmosphere,” said Wahl.

Golden Acres is a Deseret Health Group facility providing premier long term senior health care along with physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation therapy services. For more information or to schedule a tour at the facility please contact Sherry Wahl at (785) 889-4227.

Oswego’s Deseret Nursing and Rehabilitation Unveils New Roof

2010-11-10T17:01:37+00:00

OSWEGO, KS, November 10, 2010 – Deseret Nursing and Rehabilitation at Oswego boasts a new roof just in time for Santa’s arrival! The building’s roof is a welcomed improvement for the Center’s residents, staff and neighbors.

The new roof was installed by Home Electric of Columbus, KS. After removing the existing roof, Home Electric installed a metal roof, which will stand up to weather and wear and tear over the years.

“With each passing season on an aged roof, the chance for greater structural damage increases,” says Administrator Dana Dugger, “That’s why we are thrilled to make such a substantial investment in this Center’s future.”

In addition to the new roof, the center has placed new flooring in all resident bathrooms, refinished the kitchen cabinets, and installed a new sliding glass door that opens up to the Center’s ‘Spirit Gardens’, an outdoor space for patients and families, designed with dementia in mind. New interior paint and updates to the facility’s plumbing infrastructure are also planned for the fall.

“Deseret Health Group, which manages the Center, is committed to providing the best quality of life to our residents while developing this facility as a desirable asset to the surrounding community, and I think this will be a big step in that direction,” added Dugger.

Deseret Nursing and Rehabilitation at Oswego is a Deseret Health Group facility providing premier long term senior health care along with physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation therapy services. For more information about Deseret Nursing and Rehabilitation at Oswego, contact Dana Dugger, (620) 795-4429, or visit www.deserethealth.com.

New corporate location announced

2010-11-01T18:06:44+00:00

Currently headquartered in Centerville, Utah, Deseret Health Group has signed on to move its corporate offices and 18 local executives from North Market Place in Centerville into the building at 190 S. Main Street. Pledging $855,000 to renovate its interior while preserving the old facade and art deco feel, the renovation intends to breathe new life into the lumber building, which currently sits vacant on a quaint stretch of this mid-sized city’s Main Street.

Electronic Record Management System for Nebraska Homes

2010-10-22T19:55:57+00:00

Deseret Health Group announced the implementation of electronic health record management system in their four newly acquired Nebraska homes. Ainsworth Care Center, Logan Valley Manor, Exeter Care Center, and Rose Brook Care Center will now be using MDI Achieve’s Matrix, a mobile clinical charting technology as their electronic record management utility.

Matrix combines the convenience of portable device documentation, the integration of new data with existing records and the virtual elimination of paper-based records. The technology also provides a higher quality of care with management tools to reduce and eliminate medical errors, clinical oversight mistakes with a higher level of confidentiality.

“This helps hands-on clinical staff more accurately document resident care and promotes timely communication between clinical staff, physicians, and therapists,” said Scott Stringham, COO of Deseret Health Group, “Prior to Matrix, all charting in our Nebraska homes was written by hand and federal mandates require health care providers to be paperless by 2015.”

Benefits of this system include confidential and efficient resident record storage and retrieval, electronic prescription transmission, and internal messaging system to enhance communications between clinical staff, physicians and providers. With easy access at nurses’ stations, RNs, CNAs and other care providers can access resident care needs and complete records mandated to be maintained by both the federal and state government.

“We have already seen the benefits of this system in our Kansas homes,” said Stringham, “Its provided a manageable operational environment and security-protected real-time access to resident care information at every level in our care centers.”

Deseret Announces Humanitarian Expedition

2010-10-20T15:33:08+00:00

Deseret Health Group, long-term senior-care management company and a corporate sponsor for CHOICE Humanitarian, announced the names of the participants invited to the CHOICE Humanitarian Mexico Expedition. On January 8th, 2011, 19 Deseret Health Group employees including Sue Hofstetter, Rose Brook Care Center; Jody Ninemire, Rose Brook Care Center; Doug Wyckoff, Hutchinson Care Center; Tom Smalling, Hutchinson Care Center; Jim Struckoff, Smith County Care Center; Jim Boulton, Smith County Care Center; Cindy Beckman, Smith County Care Center; Kelly Silas, Ainsworth Care Center; Coco Anguiano, Slate Creek; Dean Donaldson, McPherson Care Center; Debra Lowry, Deseret Nursing and Rehabilitation at Wichita, and four corporate employees Garett Robertson, CEO; Scott Stringham, COO; Sean VanSted, IT Director; and Tyrell Robertson, Asset Management will leave for humanitarian work in Mexico.

The expedition participants will spend nine days in various parts of central highlands in Mexico including Irapuato, La Joyita, and Guanajuato and will assist in the construction of a new schoolhouse to accommodate village children. This will be the second expedition Deseret has scheduled in the last 8 months. In June 2010, 12-long time Deseret employees traveled to Bolivia to dig irrigation ditches, open two elementary schools, and provide a helping hand to villagers.

CHOICE is a humanitarian organization that works to build underdeveloped villages into empowered, successful communities. CHOICE focuses on connecting villagers with the resources, tools, and opportunities they need to increase the health, education, and prosperity of their community. Its efforts are made most successful because they work with locals living within the villages they are striving to help, and they partner with both corporate and humanitarian organizations. The locals know the people, their situation, and what can be done to develop the village into a successful, sustainable community; CHOICE partners can provide the funds necessary to take action. Since 1982, CHOICE has workedin more than 15 countries around the world and continues to expand its efforts outward.

RehabCare To Provide Services at Hutchinson Care Center

2010-08-24T20:05:04+00:00

Hutchinson, Kansas, August 24, 2010 -- As part of their commitment to provide high-quality senior and rehabilitative care, Hutchinson Care Center, a Deseret Health Group facility, is pleased to announce they will offer RehabCare Group services. RehabCare Group is a leading national provider of rehabilitation program management services in more than 1,260 hospitals and skilled nursing facilities including McPherson Care Center, another Deseret Health Group managed facility.

"RehabCare Group will continue to enhance the quality of our resident care and respond to a growing need for in-house rehabilitation services in the community," said Doug Wyckoff, Hutchinson Care Center Administrator. RehabCare Group brings their innovative systems and tools, skillful management and clinical expertise in rehabilitation programs to our skilled nursing facility.

RehabCare will provide rehabilitation services to the residents at Hutchinson Care Center effective immediately. Their Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Service division will manage therapy service for both the short-stay and long-term care resident at Hutchinson Care Center.

We are dedicated to our residents and to the communities that surround us, said Wyckoff. We are excited about this new service for our residents and will continue to identify providers who can enhance the quality of care that we continue to provide daily at Hutchinson Care Center.

About Deseret Health Group

Deseret Health Group is a premier long term senior health care management company, providing physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation therapy services through its 16 nursing home facilities in Kansas and Nebraska. The company also offers 24 hour nursing care, pharmacy consulting, and physician services; and registered nurses, licensed practical/vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, licensed health care administrators, medical social workers, interdisciplinary care team and dietary consultants. Deseret Health Group was founded in 2006 and is based in Centerville, Utah.

About RehabCare Group, Inc.

RehabCare Group, headquartered in St. Louis, is a leading provider of temporary healthcare staffing services and program management of inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing units, outpatient therapy programs and contract therapy services in conjunction with over 7,000 hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities throughout the United States. RehabCare is pleased to be included in the Russell 2000 and the Standard and Poors Small Cap 600 indices.

CONTACT: Scott Stringham
Chief Operating Officer
Deseret Health Group
801-540-9667 Cell

Deseret Health Group Names New Executives

2010-08-16T15:32:33+00:00

Deseret Health Group, a Utah-based premier senior-care management company, has appointed Garett Robertson as Chief Executive Officer, Lars Elliott as Chief Financial Officer, Scott Stringham as Chief Operating Officer, Clayton South as Regional Vice President and Katie Nisbet at Marketing Director.

Deseret Health Group Expands Into Nebraska

2010-07-13T20:13:29+00:00

BOUNTIFUL, UT, July 13, 2010 – Deseret Health Group, a premier long-term senior-care management company with centers throughout the Midwest, has added four Nebraska centers to its list of facilities. Beginning August 1, 2010, the company will assume management of Ainsworth Care Center in Ainsworth, NE; Logan Valley Manor in Lyons, NE; Exeter Care Center in Exeter, NE; and Rose Brook Care Center in Edgar, NE – all of which were previously managed by Five Star Quality Care.

Tyrell Robertson, Deseret Health Group Director says the acquisition has been in the works for the past two years.

“We are familiar with the four Nebraska centers and have taken the time to learn and understand each operation. Our goal is to not only maintain, but surpass the levels of patient care at each,” Roberson says.

“We feel honored to be expanding into the state of Nebraska, and because our business model works well in rural healthcare, we feel this portfolio is a great match,” he says.

Deseret Health Group has a proven record for converting distressed senior centers into successful, functioning facilities with high-quality senior and rehabilitative care. The company currently manages 12 long-term care centers in rural Kansas.

Deseret Health Group Helps Bridge Poverty Gap in Bolivia

2010-07-08T20:14:03+00:00

BOUNTIFUL, UTAH, July 8, 2010 – When Deseret Health Group executives, administrators, and staff joined forces last month to dig irrigation ditches, open two elementary schools, and provide a helping hand to villagers in the highlands of Bolivia, little did they know how life-changing the experience would prove.

The group, which included 12 long-time employees from rural Kansas and Utah – many of whom had never left the US – set off on a mission through CHOICE Humanitarian, a philanthropic organization committed to ending poverty by helping build sustainable villages while bridging the gap between American corporations and villagers.

“We were at 13,000 feet and the altitude was a killer, but everyone managed to work through it – digging trenches, working on the water system, fixing toilets, and building camaraderie,” said DHG executive Tyrell Robertson, who formed a partnership with CHOICE through his graduate work at the University of Utah. “It changed my life,” says Alicia Weide, registered nurse and administrator from Yates Center, Kansas. Weide was struck with altitude sickness the first two days, but managed to recover and contribute to the work at hand.

“I now appreciate things I didn’t before,” she said, “like running water, clean streets and the ability to provide for my family…the people (in Bolivia) were so grateful; we made friends, we helped one another, and now we can bring this feeling back to the people we care for here in the US,” she added. Deseret Health Group operates senior-care and rehabilitation centers throughout the Midwest.

Executives invited employees on the 11-day trip to build leadership qualities that will enhance care giving on the job. “Our company’s philanthropic philosophy made CHOICE Humanitarian an easy partnership, said Robertson, who has also traveled to Guatemala with CHOICE. “Deseret Health Group provides nursing, social work, administrative and geriatric care to people in need. The partnership with CHOICE just seems to make sense for us,” he added.

About CHOICE Humanitarian

CHOICE is a humanitarian organization that works to build underdeveloped villages into empowered, successful communities. CHOICE focuses on connecting villagers with the resources, tools, and opportunities they need to increase the health, education, and prosperity of their community. Its efforts are made most successful because they work with locals living within the villages they are striving to help, and they partner with both corporate and humanitarian organizations. The locals know the people, their situation, and what can be done to develop the village into a successful, sustainable community; CHOICE partners can provide the funds necessary to take action. Since 1982, CHOICE has worked in more than 15 countries around the world and continues to expand its efforts outward.

For more information about Deseret Health Group and CHOICE Humanitarian, contact Tyrell Robertson, 801-349-7277, or visit Deseret Health

Smith County Care Center Raises the Roof

2010-07-07T20:20:12+00:00

SMITH CENTER, KS, July 7, 2010 – Smith County Care Center will boast a new firestone RubberGuard roof later this month. Replacing the building’s original roof from the 1960’s, this update will be a welcome improvement for the Center’s residents, staff and neighbors.

The new roof will be installed by WeatherCraft Company of North Platt, NE. After removing the existing roof, WeatherCraft will install a urethane custom-tapered roof system, which will stand up to weather and wear and tear over the years.

“After almost 10 years of increasing maintenance on the old roof, we are thrilled to be able to make such a substantial investment in this Care Center’s future,” says Administrator, Jim Struckhoff.

“Deseret Health Group, which manages the center is committed to providing the best quality of life to our residents while developing this facility as a desirable asset to the surrounding community, and I think this will be a big step in that direction,” he adds.

Smith County Care Center is located at 17 West and 1^stStreet in Smith Center and provides high-quality, long-term care to approximately 30 seniors.

For more information about Smith County Care Center and Deseret Health Group, contact Tyrell Robertson, 801-801-349-7277, or visit www.deserethealth.com.