The small town of Seymour, Iowa, located about 20 minutes from Centerville, Iowa near the Missouri border, experienced change. The small skilled-care community in the town was on the verge of closure, when Centerville entrepreneur, Bill Burch, the owner of Commercial Resources, Inc., with the help of Morgan Cline, took a project under their hands to revamp the center. Their leadership combined with the leadership of Beth Owens, the administrator combined with the unusual dedication of a crew pulled together from the deep rural rolling hills of southern Iowa are making for unusual success.

In just two years this group has done something unheard of. They’ve taken a community whose fate seemed sealed and brought it back to life. Since the purchase, Cline and Burch have invested over a half million dollars into the community. “90% of the investment was to improve care. We still have a long ways to go to make it look nice but families are very smart about recognizing care as a priority.”

Beth Owens, when asked how the staff at the center in Seymour is doing, answered:

They are doing great! When the staff becomes overwhelmed due to increase in workload, we try to stay focused on the importance of taking good care of the residents. We have a lot of opportunities to praise them for a job well done and we expect them to be part of the solution. Most of all, when a dedicated staff like ours are doing their best and asking for help, you do your best to help them!! Especially the CAN’s.

Similarly, when asked about the comments that have been received from the residents, responded:

They can tell there is a difference. I hear things about our culture and that they sense a deep level of commitment and care. I’m a little surprised they don’t complain about some of the things we don’t have looking nice yet, but they don’t seem to care at all as long as we are committed to giving those they love good care.

Finally, when asked about what Owens, Bill Burch, and Morgan Cline are most excited about, Owens responded on behalf of the three:

A lot of things! Great occupancy, great average response times to resident needs, and we’re really looking forward to some planned renovations that will make the building look more appealing. The owner’s promised that resident care would come first, staff care would follow, and then sensory upgrades to the building. The resident care is in place. The staff pay and benefits are well under way. 2010 should see some nice improvements in the building which will improve quality of life for both residents and staff! It is going to be a great year!