GRMC Subacute Unit Receives Leadership Excellence Award

The Garrett Regional Medical Center (GRMC)  Subacute Unit was recently recognized by the American College of Health Care Administrators as a recipient of the 2018 Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award.

Approximately 11 percent of skilled nursing facilities nationwide met the qualifications for the award, with 37 Maryland facilities selected among them.  GRMC’s Subacute Unit was the only facility in western Maryland to receive the 2018 Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award.

The award was developed in 2008 using data driven criteria to objectively identify high-performing skilled nursing facilities and the leaders who make them excel.  GRMC’s Subacute Unit is supported by Jim Cuppett, Subacute Administrator, who is a long-time, dedicated employee of Garrett Regional Medical Center.

“Jim has been integral to the Subacute Unit’s sustained success and continued growth, having been here since the unit first opened twenty-years ago,” said Lori Davis, RN, Director of the Subacute Unit.  “His efforts have helped the Subacute Unit achieve national recognition in recent years as one of western Maryland’s top-performing skilled nursing facilities making it the leading choice for patient care in our region.”

Award recipients are identified based upon publicly collected data by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency that sets and enforces standards for nursing home facilities.  The award eligibility requirements include an occupancy rate greater than 85 percent and attaining CMS quality measures in the top ten percent nationally within a four-quarter average.

The Subacute Care Unit at Garrett Regional Medical Center was established in 1997 and received a five-star Best Nursing Home ranking  by  US News & World Report four years consecutively.  The ten-bed unit is designed for patients who may not need nursing home care but are not yet ready for discharge from hospital care. Subacute offers patients a variety of rehabilitation services to help them reach their highest level of functioning.  GRMC’s Subacute Unit serves 350-400 patients annually and is supported by a team of 12 employees.