East Adams Care Center gains new administrator

With the change in ownership also began the term of leadership of Steve Wuitschick, the current administrator of the East Adams Care Center. Formally the Life Care Center of Ritzville, the East Adams Rural Hospital District No. 2 acquired the facility when the state approved the official change of ownership paperwork on May 1. Wuitschick began at the facility on April 17, giving himself two weeks to familiar himself with the departments, staff, issues and ideas present at the center. For Wuitschick, his passion and interest for being an administrator at a long-term care facility began in college. After being raised in Yakima, Wuitschick attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg and graduated with two undergraduate degrees in philosophy and clinical studies. While writing his thesis for clinical psychology about aging, Wuitschick had a college professor tell him about schools that focused in aging. He was fortunate enough to receive a full-ride scholarship to North Texas College where he truly discovered his passion for service and interest in working for long-term care facilities. Wuitschick became a licensed nurse administrator in 1976 and his career has now brought his skills and expertise to Ritzville. He had been hired immediately out of college to work for a facility managing 110 employees, a feat he had never taken on in his life. But his passion and tenacity to provide the best living environment possible for residents helped guide his way to a successful career.

He began his career in Walla Walla, always having a desire to stay in the state of Washington to remain close to family. But his expertise and interest in serving others quickly landed him jobs throughout the country, including California, Minnesota and Illinois. During his time in Chicago, Illinois, Wuitschick was instrumental in the development of a 55-story long-term care facility in downtown Chicago. The facility had him managing nearly 9,000 employees and he served with an excellent team of assistants. His service than brought him to the Rockwood Center in Spokane. The return to Washington had been long awaited, and he worked passionately as the Rockwood president and CEO. He remained with the facility for 16 years, and began to consider retirement when the Care Center position became available. Wuitschick learned of the job opportunity from his attorney Randy Stamper, who also serves as the attorney for the Hospital District. He quickly realized the opportunity to help out a facility, community and county who were in need of a qualified administrator. After touring through Ritz- ville, Wuitschick quickly determined working at the facility would be a good fit for him. While he still resides in Spokane, he does not mind the commute since his home in Spokane is closer to his children and grandchildren. During his initial two weeks at the facility, Wuitschick listened to the concerns of the employees and residents to determine the needs at the facility. He quickly began to implement new programs and activities to keep the residents engaged and comfortable, and believes these will help improve the overall life of the residents.

Some of the initial focuses included providing new activities for the residents in an effort to keep them moving and avoiding leaving them stationary in wheelchairs in the facility. During the National Nursing Home Week in May, the staff hosted daily themed activities for the residents to watch or participate in, as well as themed parties to help bring a positive celebration into the facility. Wuitschick said the community can expect more parties to be occurring in the facility, as he believes it is a positive experience for the residents. With the purchase of a frozen yogurt machine from the Care Center Resident Council and facility, residents can now enjoy frozen yogurt once a week. They also planned a celebration for Father’s Day titled “Ties and Pies” where all male residents dressed up in a tie and received a pie. All families of the residents were also encouraged to attend the celebration. Along with his years of expertise in the long-term care facilities, Wuitschick has acquired the same proficiency as an acting Santa. Every year he dons his own suit to help spread holiday cheer to the residents. He said the residents tend to enjoy the experience as much as children, appreciating the opportunity to touch the suit and even have photos taken with Santa. Wuitschick hopes to expand this into a family event, and intends to have photos taken with the residents that they can share with their family. Wuitschick said his passion for his career is because he “likes to be of service to people. I have chosen nonprofits all of my career. I like the caring capacity, and that residents come first.” Though the hospital district owns the Care Center, the hospital and the Care Center are two separate agencies. Wuitschick explained while the facilities are separate, they do work together and share resources.

Currently, Wuitschick and Gary Bostrom are working on a five-year plan for the facilities. The duo has developed a nursing home contract that allows agreements for residents to receive x-ray and medical services at the hospital, as well as an opportunity for the facilities to utilize supplies. The Care Center is also providing hot meals for swing-bed patients at the hospital. Wuitschick said the residents are benefitting greatly from the onsite services of physical, speech and occupational therapy. These benefits help patients improve their quality of life, Wuitschick said, and help

the facility move them into a position where they can return home. He said the best success of the nursing home is when residents can go home.

In the upcoming months, Wuitschick said the staff is benefitting from the installation of a new phone system, while the residents will soon see an upgrade in the shower room. The district has gone to bids for the upgrade of the shower room facility to improve the overall safety for residents.

Wuitschick said the community can expect to see multiple improvements at the facility, and with a strong and qualified staff, he is confident in the ability for the level of care to continually improve.

“My personal goal is that I like to become the employer of choice,"Wuitschick explained. "I want employees to be proud to work here, for the wages to be fair, and for the best service and care to the residents. The residents are the number one priority."

Wuitschick said he is focused on the future by working to do the best with the resources available. He is determined to provide the highest quality care to residents, and maintain the facility to a level where the community and county can be proud of the East Adams Care Center.