Editor’s note: McKnight’s Home Care, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Senior Living are profiling the McKnight’s 2022 Women of Distinction honorees daily July 5 through Aug. 10. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Sarah Bateman spent more than 10 years in pursuit of her “dream job.” She attained that and more.
Over the course of working for Rochester Regional Health over the last decade, Bateman has worked in several roles, including social worker on a restorative neurology and rehabilitation unit and divisional admissions manager in charge of coordinating admission for the company’s six long-term care facilities.
In these various positions, Bateman was determined to be an administrator at one of Rochester Regional Health’s centers. When a position became available at Edna Tina Wilson Living Center last year, she took it.
Bateman has been in the position for just a short time, but she already has positively changed the way in which Edna Tina Wilson is run.
To prepare her staff members for COVID-19 outbreaks and the New York State Department of Health recertification survey, she implemented a “back to basics” initiative. All staff members, regardless of their titles, worked on rounding and the environment of care audits while striving to increase the care and dignity of residents.
As a result, Edna Tina Wilson Living Center received its best survey results in more than five years and even was rewarded with the Pathway to Excellence in Long-Term Care Certification. Only seven total long-term care facilities nationally have this designation.
Bateman also works to ensure that communication stays open between residents and their loved ones. This meant that when a COVID-19 outbreak hit the center earlier this year, she set up video meetings so that friends and family members could ensure that their loved one was safe and receiving adequate care.
This practice has continued on a regular basis, Rochester Regional Health Vice President of Long Term Care Operations Colleen Rose says.
“She is incredibly open to new ideas and is never afraid to pilot a new program at her facility,” Rose said.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Home Care, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Senior Living. The program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare. Silver sponsors include OnShift and PharMerica, and the Bronze sponsor is Reliant Rehabilitation. Table sponsors included Dreamscape, Gojo/Purell and Sound Physicians.
