Although Sugar Creek Rest spent a lot of money last year on capital improvements and renovations, it was the new programs introduced into the facility that made the biggest difference to residents and staff.

For example, the Baylor nursing schedule for staff who wished to return to nursing school (LPN/RN/BSN) has been a huge success, with several employees approaching graduation. Sugar Creek Rest also certified and graduated many staff members as certified nursing assistants in its own state approved program.

Sugar Creek Rest expanded its staff education program by introducing "SilverChair," a web based training program with three training sites located in-house.

"We are using this for both new employee basic orientation as well as ongoing staff training," said Phil Tack, Sugar Creek administrator. "We have also had extensive training of staff in the sub-acute unit, on respiratory procedures. This fits nicely with our residents require ventilators."

Sugar Creek Rest is also working to make in-house hemo-dialysis and cardiac telemetry available soon.

Last year. Sugar Creek Rest employees received recognition in several respected and distinct areas. Carmen McGallis and Helen Anderson were honored during the annual Armstrong County Healthcare Consortium Awards banquet. Lori Huber, Emily Adams and Carla McKee were honored at the Quality Improvement Program Banquet in Pittsburgh. Lori Huber was also selected from a field of thousands of staff in the long-term care nursing field for Western Pennsylvania, as the Quality Insights nursing staff member of the year.

Sugar Creek Rest has committed itself to furthering not only the careers of its employees but also their families as well, by taking part in a scholarship program for family members of staff who wish to enter the health care field. This scholarship was set-up by Quality Life Services, Sugar Creek Rest's parent company.

This year should continue to be a productive and busy time for staff and residents of Sugar Creek Rest. Plans are in the works for a blood drive, a 5K walk/run, a summer concert series and the continuation of the "Dream A Little Dream" program for residents, and the Healthy Living Program, which promotes exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, cholesterol testing and overall fitness improvement for staff.