Recap of Community Connection Event: Alecia Goudreau & Leadership Team, Schoolcraft County Medical Care Facility
In July, our Morning Brew session welcomed Alecia Goudreau, Kendra Lander, Lindsey Lovell, Monica Carrier, and Ashleigh Herbst. The team discussed the essential role of long-term care in Schoolcraft County, offering valuable insights into the services provided by the Schoolcraft County Medical Care Facility.
Overview of Schoolcraft County Medical Care Facility:
Led by Administrator Alecia Goudreau, the Schoolcraft County Medical Care Facility is dedicated to delivering safe, efficient, and patient-centered care to the local community. The facility is licensed for 85 beds and currently cares for 63 residents. Services include long-term care, rehab-to-home, and, as of 2023, a memory care unit and comfort care program. While the facility is at full capacity for long-term care, availability remains in the memory care unit, and rehab-to-home and comfort care programs.
Alecia Goudreau, appointed as Administrator in 2023, has served the facility for over nine years. Her focus is on enhancing partnerships with organizations like Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, Home Care, and Hospice, to provide comprehensive patient and family support. The facility has seen substantial growth under her leadership, expanding its staff from 51 employees in 2023 to 95 today.
Funding and Financial Management:
The leadership team provided a high-level overview of the facility’s funding sources, which include a county millage, Medicare, Medicaid, and patient pay. Although part of Schoolcraft County, the facility operates independently, managing its own financial operations and being overseen by a board of directors. Sound financial management is critical to ensuring the community’s continued access to quality care.
Comfort Care:
Through a recent collaboration with Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Home Care and Hospice, and Northwoods Home Care, the facility has dedicated beds specifically for the comfort care program. This initiative offers end-of-life care and bereavement services through Hospice, providing crucial support to patients and their loved ones during challenging times.
Respite Care:
The facility also provides respite care services, offering temporary relief for families caring for loved ones at home. This service can be used for short intervals, such as day care, or for longer periods when families are traveling or unable to provide full-time care.
Memory Care:
The recently added memory care unit, developed in response to community needs, offers a secure environment for patients needing specialized care provided by trained staff. The unit focuses on maintaining a safe, engaging atmosphere for patients through a range of activities designed to enhance their quality of life.
Cost of Care:
Kendra Lander, Financial Director discussed the primary funding sources for care, noting that many patient costs are covered by Medicare. Lander emphasized that the facility offers on-site resources to help families navigate the qualification process for financial assistance. She encouraged community members to schedule appointments to explore available care options and payment solutions.
Organizational Changes:
Alecia Goudreau noted that the facility has made significant progress over the past year. Previously reliant on five travel nurses to maintain staffing levels, the facility is now fully staffed with an onsite full-time nursing staff. Goudreau praised the team’s high morale and commitment to continuously improving the environment for patients.
Community Involvement:
The leadership team also highlighted the vital role of community support in enhancing the residents’ quality of life. A recent example was the Manistique Merchants Car Show, which adjusted its parade route to pass through the facility, allowing residents to view and reminisce about vintage cars—a nostalgic and joyful event for many.
Halloween is another beloved tradition at the facility. Donations of candy from the community enable local children to participate in a trick-or-treat event, creating intergenerational connections as residents engage with the young trick-or-treaters.
The facility also hosts numerous community-centered events, such as cookouts, popcorn days, and fishing trips to Camp 7. These activities, along with family meal gatherings, foster a family-like atmosphere that greatly enhances residents’ quality of life. The team acknowledged the contributions of various organizations, including Hiawatha Behavioral Health, Erickson Center, Tribal Youth Center, HOSA, Schoolcraft County Veterans, and local religious groups, which provide social, cognitive, and spiritual services to residents.
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Partnership:
Also present was Andy Bertapelle, CEO of Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, who spoke about the hospital’s growing collaboration with the Schoolcraft County Medical Care Facility.
Most notably, through this collaboration the facility now has a local Medical Director, Dr. Bomer, and two Nurse Practitioners. This collaboration provides residents with locally-based, stable medical care, adding a layer of comfort for patients and families alike.
Both Bertapelle and Goudreau are new to their leadership roles and have focused on improving continuity of care between their organizations. This partnership enhances patient outcomes by ensuring seamless access to necessary services.
Bertapelle highlighted successes in key areas such as lab services, local medical providers, and on-site training for nurses. The collaboration, as both leaders emphasized, is essential for the continued success of both institutions, as they work together to improve the continuity of care.
Conclusion:
The Morning Brew session with the leadership team from Schoolcraft County Medical Care Facility was a success, with the team expressing excitement and passion for the improvements they have made and future possibilities. Their dedication to serving both their patients and the community was clear throughout the discussion.
The purpose of Morning Brew is to foster connections within the community, encouraging participants to interact with local leaders, business owners, and hometown heroes. Hosted at The Grind Coffee House, these events serve as a platform for meaningful discussions about current events and development in our community. Learn more.
Article by, Jennifer C. Watson, CEO, of Limestone FCU
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