Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary Named 2019 ‘Best of Kentucky’ Facility by Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities

Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary recently was honored with a Best of Kentucky – Nursing and Rehabilitation Award at the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities’ (KAHCF) Quality Awards Banquet at the Galt House in Louisville, Ky.

In announcing this honor to the Loretto Community, Loretto President Barbara Nicholas said, “Let’s say some prayers of grateful thanks for all who daily demonstrate the commitment and performance that the KAHCF acknowledges with this award.”

On behalf of the entire Loretto Community, Sister Barbara congratulated Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary Administrator Michelle Essex and the Infirmary staff for this outstanding recognition and thanked them for their tremendous service. In a letter to Michelle, the staff at Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary and those served there, Sister Barbara stated, “Such an honor affirms your commitment to the work, every day, year after year.”

Michelle accepted the award at the association’s banquet in late November. Of the recognition, she said, “It is an honor for our facility to receive such an award. We are blessed to have a dedicated team of staff and residents that work together to continuously improve the lives of others, making us the Best!” The association honored 23 facilities with the Best of Kentucky – Nursing and Rehabilitation Award. The Top 10 Caregivers, Nurses and Supportive Care staff also were honored.

KAHCF Board Chair Chris Page said of the award recipients, “It is a privilege to honor caregivers for the outstanding care and devotion they show every day to their residents. These honorees are an example of the many Kentucky providers and caregivers delivering quality care. This recognition is a testament to their dedication to their residents.”

The Best of Kentucky – Nursing and Rehabilitation honorees were selected based on CMS star ratings of four or higher to apply, and then satisfaction surveys of residents and families.  Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary has consistently maintained a five star rating from CMS. 

Established in 1954, the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities (KAHCF) is the trade association that represents the proprietary and nonproprietary nursing facilities and personal care homes across the Commonwealth. Kentucky Center for Assisted Living (KCAL) was established in 2018. One of the state affiliates of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, KAHCF/KCAL provides a wide variety of services to member facilities including legislative and regulatory activities, professional development, statewide recognition programs, publications, media relations, research, and advocacy relations.

More than 800 long-term care providers met during the KAHCF meeting, energized by general sessions challenging them with panel discussions with the ambulance association and office of inspector general, hiring and retaining quality staff, and breakout sessions on a variety of issues facing long-term care providers. Also, more than 100 vendors exhibited during the Expo showcasing the latest innovations to providing quality care.  The week was capped off with the Quality Awards Banquet.

(Editor’s note: Some information for this piece provided by KAHCF.)