Zaerr Guiding Skilled Nursing Facility Through COVID-19 Pandemic While Touching the Lives of Jacksonville, Ill., Residents
JACKSONVILLE, ILL. (March 8, 2021) – Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehab, the 88-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility, is honoring its administrator, Sawyer Zaerr, for her leadership during National Long-Term Care Administrator’s Week, March 8-13, 2021, sponsored by the American College of Health Care Administrators.
Often cited as the greatest challenge of their careers to date, the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic has required administrators of the nation’s skilled nursing facilities to marshal significant resources together, collaborate, and protect their residents from the virus. Zaerr is leading Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehab through the battle with coronavirus, helping to guard against outbreaks, comforting residents, and maintaining a caring community within the facility.
“The most challenging aspect we’ve faced, other than keeping COVID-19 out, has been to rebuild morale and put smiles back on the residents’ faces,” Zaerr said. “Jacksonville Skilled Nursing has increased our activities to help fight against the depression that has occurred as a consequence of the virus.
“It gives me so much pride to say we have managed to keep COVID-19 out since I started here,” she added. “As a result we have been able to open up for visits on a modified basis so our residents are able to see their families, and that has been so wonderful for them mentally.”
Zaerr first became a skilled nursing facility administrator in 2019. “I chose to go into this industry because I wanted to help people. It’s important to be able to give back to our elders and make their years left the best possible,” she said. “I thought I could bring the compassion and care that this career demands. It has been a privilege to be able to care for our most vulnerable.”
Zaerr’s Role In Resident Care
As a key player in Jacksonville Skilled Nursing’s care team, Zaerr is entrusted with the responsibility of managing the care of the community’s loved ones. She touches the lives of residents and families, and ensures that the staff provides the highest level of quality care.
To become a skilled nursing facility administrator, it takes commitment and dedication. Upon becoming administrators, these healthcare professionals must continue life-long learning to stay on the cutting edge of top-level care. Administrators are masters of multi-tasking, taking into account every aspect of a person’s life, not just their medical needs, while building a sense of home and community.
“It gives me immense satisfaction to be someone our residents count on to make their stay here of the best quality around. Our community needs excellence, and that is exactly what we strive to achieve at Jacksonville Skilled Nursing,” Zaerr said. “All staff at Jacksonville Skilled Nursing are so full of love for our extended facility family that it is somewhere I would take my own parents. By coming here, residents get a bonus family and that is the best feeling in the world you can have as an administrator.”
Zaerr is a key reason why Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehab shares the core principles and standards of the people of our region.
About Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehab
Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehab is an 88-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility in Jacksonville, Ill., providing long-term care, short-term care, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehab-to-home, speech therapy, hospice care, and respite care. The center is currently accepting new admissions for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. For further information, please contact Kimberly Spencer at 217-243-6451 or visit the Jacksonville Skilled Nursing website at www.jacksonville-snr.com.
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