Life Care Center of Osawatomie is a skilled nursing facility, providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, short term
rehab
to long term care, and hospice services.
Life Care Center strives to
meet the resident's physical, mental, social
and spiritual needs.
Medicare, medicaid,
commercial insurance and
private pay are accepted.
Life Care employs 125-130 people which include RN's, LPNs, CMTs,
CNAs, Dietary, Housekeeping, Laundry, Activities, Office
Administration and Maintenance.
The facility was
opened in the spring of 1967.
Following is the history
of how
it came about:
Gordon Schrader was Osawatomie City Manager in 1965 and received a
call one day from a college friend, Bob Rieger, who was a pharmacist in Wichita, KS. Gordon had formerly been assistant city manager in El
Dorado, KS and Bob was looking for information about building a
nursing home in El Dorado. Gordon gave him the information he needed
and commented that
Osawatomie needed a nursing home.
A few months later Gordon received a call from Jack Clark, who was co-owner of Bouse and Clark Construction Co. out of Oklahoma, who had
flown into the county airport. Gordon went out to meet and pick up Jack, swung by to pick up Web Hawkins and went to Gordon's home to visit
about a nursing home. Jack said that if Osawatomie could get some
investors, a nursing home could become a reality. Bouse and Clark had
built nursing homes in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas, including the one in
El Dorado. He stayed all night at the John Brown Hotel and a meeting
was held the next day with some
local business people.
It was decided that the city would issue industrial revenue bonds if they
could get enough investors. Several investors came forward including:
Bill Butler, Dr. Bill Appenfeller, Dr. Andy Wymore, Willis McQueary,
Bill Sinclair, John Slayman, Frank Coker, Larry Coker, Bill Eddy,
Nelson Reppert, Russell Mills, Doug Hagadorn, Dr. George Zubowicz
and Jack Jacobson. These investors formed a corporation and were the
first owners of
what
would become Holiday Manor, Inc.
A three-acre tract was found that met specifications at 1615 Parker. Construction on the 100 bed skilled nursing home began in the fall of
1966.
Holiday Manor opened with 12 employees and was expected to
employ
40-45 people
when in full operation. The nursing home was
filled
to
capacity shortly
from the beginning, with a
waiting list of
others
wanting admission.
An expansion took place and opened in March of 1975, adding a new wing with 50 more beds. An Open House was held on March 9, 1975 to celebrate the opening of the addition.
75 staff members were then working at Holiday Manor and more were to be added as needed with the new addition.
Bill Butler, one of the stockholders, was in charge of the expansion construction.
Miriam Weaver, who was administrator at the time, and Pat Butler were in charge of the major decorating of the new wing. They
wanted to give it a "home away from home" atmosphere.
Samuel Summers was the first administrator. Miriam Weaver became the
second administrator in 1968 and held the position for many years. A complete l
ist of d
irectors was not available until 1990. Since then those directors
have included: Patricia Cranston, John Conion, Louise Yarbro, Jon
Robinson, Andy Buckholtz, Jackie Lowe, Lisa Kolman, Cameron Hodges, Amiee Seck, Roger Hubbard (interim), Dan Sheehan and David Mercier.
Different ownership has taken place of the nursing home over the years. Holiday Manor was bought out and became Regency Nursing Home. It later became Heritage Manor. Life Care Centers of America is the current owner .
David Mercier is the current Executive Director. He is new to the post
having started in December. He has been in LTC for 34 years, holding positions as Administrative Regional Manager, Regional Vice-President
and owner. David has sat on the Kansas Health Care Association Board
two different terms and has worked in Kansas and Missouri with homes ranging from 49 beds to 430 beds. David lives in Gardner, KS with his
family and also owns the UPS Store in Gardner.
Life Care Center, and all former owners since the opening of the
facility
in 1967, have employed and continue to employ many people.
Many
people
have been residents and been cared for as outpatients
at
this
nursing home. The nursing home has expanded its facility and operations
over the years to meet the needs of those served.
Life Care Center of Osawatomie is very supportive of
our community. They host many activities and sponsor many events.
Life Care Center of Osawatomie
is a great asset to our community.
A chamber coffee will be held at Life Care Center!
Details coming soon.
