Officials from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) presented the first of two 2024 Governor's Awards for Quality Care in Health Care Facilities in Marshalltown on Sept. 19.
The Iowa Veterans Home is one of the largest state-run veterans homes in the country serving about 450 veterans with more than 750 staff. It is located at 1301 Summit St. in Marshalltown. Administrator Penny Cutler-Bermudez accepted the award during a ceremony at the facility.
Residents appreciate having accessible health, wellness and professional services located on the campus. The facility also has a large, centrally located community room where social activities, family gatherings, and church services take place. The facility offers a variety of activities to residents, a few of which include: ceramics, rug-making, leatherworking, gardening, day trips, and choir. The Home has multiple leisure rooms with games and resident gyms. Also, Iowa Veterans Home residents make the fabric poppies that are distributed by the American Legion throughout the state on National Poppy Day, the Friday before Memorial Day.
DIAL Director Larry Johnson, Jr., said, "The staff at Iowa Veterans Home are truly some of the best in our state. Their hard work and exceptional treatment of their residents sets them – and this facility - apart from the rest."
The facility received four nominations from residents’ family members.
Family member Jacqueline Stealey nominated Iowa Veterans Home because of the quality care she said her brother has received at the facility.
“When talking with me, they really care about my brother and want to do what’s best for him. I’m so grateful for the Iowa Veterans Home. When I visit IVH, the staff is very welcoming and assists with any questions or requests I have. Residents also appear to be in good spirits - a testament to how they’re treated,” Stealey said.
Dewane and Doris Hughes, nominators and family members of a resident, describe the facility as “amazing,” and said IVH staff is “always ready to take care of [our family member's] needs and any concerns we might have. They listen!”
I NEVER talk to staff or leave the unit after a visit without telling them how much we appreciate them. This work is so challenging and underappreciated! Please consider this nomination seriously because they really deserve the recognition. Quality care is the definition of what [our family member] receives," the Hugheses said.
Commandant of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Todd Jacobus said, “With the deepest gratitude, this award belongs to our staff and residents. Our people are what make Iowa Veterans Home the greatest place in Iowa for our veterans and spouses. Thanks to them, we’ve achieved and sustained a Five-Star Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services rating since 2016, meaning IVH has been in the top 10% of long-term care facilities in the U.S. for eight straight years. There are very few places in the world where our healthcare heroes are dedicated to serving our military heroes, and we're all blessed to be a part of one of them.”