PA Secretary of Health Presents Excellence Awards to Nursing Home Facilities in Schuylkill, Montgomery Counties

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Eli. N. Avila today visited two nursing home facilities to present the state's first "Awards for Excellence in Health Care Compliance."

"One of our goals is to change how we demonstrate quality assurance in Pennsylvania," said Dr. Avila. "In reviewing our role, we realized we were missing positive reinforcement, which led to this new award recognizing facilities that have shown excellence in meeting state regulations."

The Department of Health licenses and oversees 713 nursing homes statewide, conducting approximately 5,000 inspections annually, including licensure and certification surveys, follow-up surveys and complaint investigations.

Facilities receiving the award were required to have no state citations over the last three calendar years based on annual health survey inspections. All department-licensed nursing homes were eligible for the awards and did not need to apply to be considered.

Dr. Avila's first visit was to The Schuylkill Center in Pottsville, where he presented the award to Nursing Home Administrator John Gregis.

"We are honored to receive this award," stated Gregis. "I believe this award is a direct reflection of the care and compassion delivered by the staff to the patients and residents of our center on a daily basis. I, and our entire Genesis HealthCare management team, are so proud of our employees here at the Schuylkill Center."

The second visit was to Foulkeways at Gwynedd in Gwynedd, where Dr. Avila presented the award to Director of Health Services Mary Knapp.

"Foulkeways residents are grateful every day for the care our staff provides," said Knapp. "We are honored that their hard work and dedication is being recognized in such a prestigious way."

Media contact: Christine Cronkright or Holli Senior, 717-787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health

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