BUTLER BUSINESS MATTERS
THE WHOLE GAMUT In addition to the 64-bed facility on Pittsburgh Street , The Orchards owns facilities in Chester , W . Va ., and East Liverpool , Ohio . Fox , who has been the CEO since 2006 and began working in the family business when he was 9 , said keeping the company relatively small and staying within the tri-state region are keys to providing excellent care .
“ We can do the whole gamut of nursing care ,” Murray said , citing The Orchards ’ respiratory care program for meeting an important need in the marketplace . The Orchards of Saxonburg also maintains partnerships with other local entities , such as the Seasons of Saxonburg personal care home , that help residents when their rehab is over .
“ We want to make sure they ’ re success ful once TRAVELING they go home THE and WORLD don ’ t end up back in the hospital ,” Murray said . “ Let ’ s say we have a patient who ’ s having trouble managing their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . We ’ re going to meet their nursing needs so they can go home and live life to the fullest .”
EXTENSIVE RENOVATIONS Saula credits her leadership team in Saxonburg with helping move The Orchards forward : Sheila Hartle , the director of nursing , who has been an RN for 31 years ; Carmen McGallis , RN , the assistant director of nursing , who has worked in long-term care for 33 years ; Diane Clark , LP , the social services director , who has worked in that field since 2004 ; and Jennifer DelSignore , OTA , who is the director of therapy . Saula is also working to build the team with recruit ment and retention strategies .
The Orchards of Saxonburg has undergone extensive renovations since the company acquired the facility in 2019 , including a just-completed project in the dining room , Fox said . The CEO praised the dining room staff , adding that residents can order whatever they want for meals from an expansive , executive chef-designed menu and aren ’ t limited to a couple of options each time .
“ We have an excellent program and a great staff , with exceptional amenities including restaurant-style dining expanding resident choice ,” Fox said . “ That ’ s the level of care that we hope to bring to Saxonburg .”
“ That ’ s not your granddaddy ’ s nursing home ,” Murray added .
The Orchards plans more improve ments , Fox said , including : cosmetic reno vations and upgrades of resident activity and common living spaces ; state-of-the-art physical therapy equipment , for the in-house therapy department ; nurses ’ station upgrades to include the latest technology , as well as cosmetic updates making the space less institutional in appearance ; and cosmetic upgrades of the entire facility , in cluding softer lighting , comfortable sitting areas and pleasing artwork .
‘ AMAZING JOB ’ ON PANDEMIC The continuing pandemic has been difficult for The Orchards , as with all nursing homes , Fox said , but he said the staff has done an “ amazing job ” at keeping people safe .
“ We ’ ve had minimal exposure to staff and residents and those who have had it have recovered ,” he said . “ We update resi dents ’ families weekly ( about the pandem ic ) and they ’ re very appreciative of that .”
The staff ’ s handling of the pandemic is not surprising given what Fox says about Saula ’ s leadership style .
“ Chrisy has done an excellent job of keeping the ship calm during turbulent times ,” he said . “ She has a sense of calm that ’ s contagious .”
With Saula ’ s expansive clinical knowledge , top-notch leadership and staff , and the company ’ s commitment to upgrading the facility , Murray sees a bright future for The Orchards of Saxonburg .
“ I believe we ’ re on a trajectory to becoming the premier provider of nursing in the area ,” he said .