Meadowlark Hills Receives 2009 PEAK Award

Source: Maya Ristic, maya.ristic@meadowlark.org
Photo available. Contact 785-537-4610
News release prepared by: Maya Ristic, 785-537-4610, maya.ristic@meadowlark.org
Tue Sep 8, 10:40 PM

Meadowlark Hills will receive the 2009 “Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes” (PEAK) award on Monday morning, Sept. 14, at Meadowlark Hills. Martin Kennedy, Acting Secretary of the Kansas Dept. on Aging, will present the award.

“All of these homes have truly embraced the ideals of culture change,” Kennedy said. “Person-centered care provides a happier environment not only for residents, but also for staff. It’s great to see the first-time winners this year as well as previous winners that have continued to expand and move forward in this important area.”

Meadowlark Hills received the award in 2002, 2004 and 2005. Since then, Meadowlark Hills has developed state-of-the-art healthcare households with round-the-clock nursing care and a Community Center including a fitness center, theater, pub, restaurant and café.

Willie Novotny, Executive Leader of Meadowlark Hills, said receiving this award is a true honor.

“Changing our culture is something we should never really complete if we are doing it right,” Novotny said. “It is really encouraging for us to be recognized as a leader in our mission and vision.”

The Kansas Dept. on Aging (KDOA) developed an on-going initiative in 2002 to support nursing homes instituting non-traditional models of care with home environments and beginning the PEAK award. The PEAK awards program recognizes and encourages nursing homes to move away from the institutional model of care to a person-centered model with residents having more control over their activities and schedules. Facilities much submit an application to be considered for the honor.