MDH takes control of Pine Island nursing home to ensure residents' safetyThe Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) assumed control of Pine Haven Care Center in Pine Island on Saturday due to concerns that a growing list of unpaid bills threatened critical services for residents. The Ramsey County court granted the temporary order Friday, June 10, that allows regulators to protect residents' safety and ensure continued care at the facility while operations and management issues are addressed. MDH arranged for Pathway Health, a professional management organization, to serve as the facility's managing agent during the receivership. Residents and staff were informed of the change over the weekend. MDH acted after staff found evidence that the facility's growing list of unpaid bills and inability to meet payroll threatened staffing levels, critical services and medications for residents. MDH and the temporary management team will stabilize the facilities' operations to support staff and to ensure patients receive quality care. The facility has 52 residents and is licensed for 70 beds. "This rare step is one we do not take lightly, but the evidence indicated a need for immediate action to ensure that residents are safe and continue to receive essential services," said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. "We are focused on a smooth transition and determining the next steps that will meet the needs of residents, staff, and families." Receiverships, authorized by state law, allow regulators to assume control of a nursing home in certain situations where there are serious health and safety concerns for residents. By law, the receivership cannot exceed 18 months. In a receivership, MDH becomes responsible for operations and finances of the nursing home and typically appoints a managing agent to conduct the daily work of managing the facility. "We are communicating with family members and residents about the transition as we work to stabilize operations," said Health Regulation Division Director Maria King. "We will work with the new managing agent to help residents and employees through this transition." -MDH- Media inquiries: Doug Schultz
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"We're not the prettiest looking group, but we're dynamite when the music starts playing."
That's what Frank Wareham III, chief mate of the dry cargo ship USNS Carl Brashear, told Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III during a visit to the men and women who work to make possible U.S. power projection.
Austin met the service members and civilian mariners whose work keeps the international sea and air lanes open during a stop at Singapore's Sembawang Naval Base.
The military members come from all services and work alongside allies and regional partners, and Austin called them "the unsung heroes" of America's Indo-Pacific strategy.
The Carl Brashear is one of more than 40 ships that replenish and refuel U.S. Navy ships at sea. They also stand by to help in disaster assistance and humanitarian operations.
The secretary thanked the assembled Defense Department personnel for their professionalism and noted the importance of logistics in all operations. The United States has worldwide reach because of the efforts of small detachments like theirs. "We do it well because of you," he said to them.
The secretary also pointed to the importance of logistical support to counter the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an example of their importance. Russian logistics shortfalls led to the failure of their operation to capture Kyiv, he told them. Now, the war in the Donbas requires logistical support to keep the Ukrainian forces supplied with arms and ammunition.
He also noted that in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, where he was an assistant division commander behind the 3rd Infantry Division, there were logistics units ensuring the supply to the fuel, food and ammunition needed to succeed.
In answer to a question from the secretary, Wareham talked about life aboard the Brashear at sea. "When you are cruising at 13 knots, and there is a carrier on one side and a destroyer on the other, we're hitting on all cylinders," he said, noting that the ship has resupplied U.S. Navy vessels in the 5th Fleet area of operations as well as the 7th Fleet.
Before taking pictures with the service members and mariners, Austin said "we wouldn't be successful without you."
