New Administrator Welcomed at Holden Manor
Holden Manor recently welcomed a new administrator. Brad Baker takes the reins at the Manor and brings with him a wealth of experience.
Originally from Utah, and now living in Odessa, Baker and his family are excited about this new opportunity in Holden.
He and his wife raised their six children in Odessa but he has some fond memories of Holden over the years.
“We spent many hours traveling to Holden to play sports when our children were younger,” Brad said.
“Holden always seemed to have a good baseball team and girls basketball teams for such a small area.”
He also shared that when he worked at Harmony Gardens in Warrensburg, he worked with several Holden residents and he thought they were just wonderful people.
Brad brings 30 years of long-term care experience with him to the Manor, having worked all over the states of Missouri and Kansas in this field.
He holds a master’s degree in healthcare management from the University of Missouri in Columbia.
He received his degree in 1992 and since that time has thoroughly enjoyed working with patients and residents of long-term care facilities.
Brad replaces long-time Manor administrator, Barb Campbell, who retired after 25 years at Holden Manor.
Holden Manor was built in 1980, and offers quality long-term care for its residents. It can house 50 residents but usually only has 35 to 45 at any one time.
“The Manor has been a positive fixture for the this community and we hope to maintain that image,” related Brad.
“The people of Holden should be very thankful they have a skilled nursing center located in town so they an keep their loved ones close.”
Holden Manor offers long-term stays for residents and also short-term rehab stays for those in need of such services.
Brad shares he is very impressed with the staff at the Manor. “The staff here is wonderful,” he said “I say that because I have worked in many facilities where it is hard to find people with old-fashioned work values.”
He added that they are in need of more associates at the Manor. “If you are interested in being part of our team, please contact me,” Brad said.
He addressed the global COVID pandemic we are currently dealing with and the Manor’s procedures for keeping everyone safe from the very contagious virus.
All over this country you hear horror stories about the coronavirus invading nursing homes and the hot spots many of them have become.
Brad is grateful that Holden Manor is COVID-free and credits staff and their procedures in place for making that happen.
“COVID-19 has been hard on nursing homes, not only for residents who get the virus, but just the fear of getting the virus has been hard on residents, families and staff,” Brad explained.
The Manor currently allows residents to have outside visits and window visits, as a safeguard against the virus.
“Unfortunately, we have to isolate new residents until we get a negative COVID test for them and then we allow them to adjust to their new surroundings,” he said.
“Currently, we are COVID-19-free and have been very faithful in keeping up with infection control procedures.
“Being COVID-free is a direct result of the staff adhering to all the safety precautions, not only at the facility, but outside the facility, which should be appreciated.”
The Manor welcomes family and friends of residents for window or outside visits, according to Brad. Visitors are required to call ahead and make an appointment to visit residents.
Brad shared that the federal agencies that govern nursing homes are planning to move forward as soon as they can to re-open nursing homes to families.
“In the future, all nursing homes will start facility-wide testing for residents and staff on a regular basis, until they feel it is safe for more visitors,” Brad said.
Manor residents and staff have made Brad feel very welcome and he is looking forward to working with and caring for all of the people at Holden Manor.
If anyone has questions or concerns with regard to Holden Manor, please contact Brad at 816-732-4138, or by email at bbaker@jmsseniorliving.com.”
