Gloucester-Mathews Gazette Journal. Published Sept. 22, 2021
Walter Reed Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester is converting a portion of its facility from long-term care to memory care, increasing the number of beds available for residents with dementia and other memory-related issues.
Op-Ed, The Daily Press and Virginian-Pilot.
Virginia Health Services CEO and President Mark Klyczek was featured on the op-ed page of the Daily Press and The Virginian-Pilot on July 25, 2021, writing about how vaccines have made VHS communities safer.
“Our team’s ingenuity and compassion allowed us to navigate through the difficulties to provide the best care possible. Our team’s response to all of the challenges it faced made us stronger.”
You can read the column here: https://www.pilotonline.com/opinion/columns/vp-ed-column-klyczek-0725-20210724-b7miugag75hlha23nisnxgh7ju-story.html
Becker’s Health Review. Podcast link
Virginia Health Services CEO and President Mark Klyczek joined the Becker’s Healthcare podcast to discuss how company strategy stayed a priority while planning COVID-related protocols to be as prepared as possible for when the pandemic reached VHS facilities. Listen to what’s next for VHS – like plans to support staff development – and what keeps Mark up at night in the podcast: https://lnkd.in/gtFKZnf
LTC Heroes Podcast link
Virginia Health Services President and CEO Mark Klyczek appeared on the podcast LTC Heroes with Peter Murphy Lewis to discuss using analytics to elevate the standards of senior care. Listen here: https://ltcheroes.com/episode-20-predictable-quality-outcomes-with-mark-klyczek-president-and-ceo-of-virginia-health-services/
Newport News, VA. – Virginia Health Services (VHS) is looking to grow its workforce and develop a pipeline of team
members for its independent, assisted living and nursing home facilities, as well as home health care, rehabilitation
and hospice services.
VHS has launched its participation in the Healthcare Apprenticeship Expansion Program (HAEP), which is funded
with a Department of Labor Closing the Skills Gap Grant and has an emphasis on careers in senior living.
VHS is investing in its employees from the start. The apprenticeship offers paid, on-the-job training. VHS’s program
is starting with providing paid training to Care Assistants (CAs) as they elevate to Certified Nursing Assistants
(CNAs).
HAEP reports 94% of apprentices continue employment following the completion of the apprenticeship.
“Employees are earning as they’re learning,” said Rebecca Boyd, VHS Vice President of Nursing. “It’s not common
for training to be paid. We’re giving employees the opportunity to launch and grow meaningful careers.”
HAEP will provide educational and training resources for participants. VHS aims to grow the program to include
apprenticeships for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), pharmacy technicians, and
housekeeping and culinary positions.
VHS’s first class of apprentices graduated Thursday, April 22. The ceremony marked the completion of their CA
training, and they will continue their education as Nursing Assistants until taking the exam to certify them as CNAs.
The apprenticeship program covers the cost of the exam, administered by the Virginia Board of Nursing.
The next apprenticeship class starts May 3. Apprenticeship classes will also be offered throughout the year. To
learn more, visit www.vahs.com.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in health care to grow 15% from 2019 to 2029, adding
about 2.4 million new jobs. The Bureau attributes the projected growth to an aging population and increased need in
health care services.
“It’s a group effort,” said Bryanna Rhodes, VHS Director of Education. “We have two days of orientation before CAs
begin on-the-job training. They are working with CNAs and other nursing professionals who serve as their mentors
and support system in our facilities.”
Those in the apprenticeship program have access to Family Scholar House, a financial assistance program meant to
alleviate barriers to starting a career. Family Scholar House can offer resources and funds to help cover academic
coaching, affordable housing, transportation, child care, emergencies, and more. It is offered to those in the HAEP
grant program at no additional charge.
About VHS
Locally owned and headquartered in Newport News, Virginia since 1963, Virginia Health Services offers exceptional
senior living and health care services. We specialize in the continuum of care from active lifestyle independent and
assisted senior living communities, to skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. Our 1,200+ employees are
passionate and committed to the well-being and quality care of our residents. Beyond our thoughtfully maintained
communities located throughout the Virginia Peninsula, we offer a full range of personalized skilled health care,
outpatient therapy, home care and hospice services by specially trained staff in the comfort and privacy of your
home. To learn more, please visit our website at www.vahs.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 6, 2021
Newport News, VA. – Virginia Health Services (VHS) is using its in-house resources to stay on the leading edge of managing COVID-19 and keep its communities safe. The Virginia Health Services Pharmacy recently became one of the first long-term care pharmacies in the state to provide an ongoing supply of COVID-19 vaccine for its residents and team members. All new VHS residents and team members will have access to the vaccine through the affiliated pharmacy.
“The vaccine has proven to be tremendously effective in protecting our residents and team members. Being able to acquire the vaccine through our Virginia Health Services Pharmacy has allowed us to promptly vaccinate the individuals we serve in our nursing homes, assisted living, independent living, home care and hospice services,” said Mark Klyczek, President & CEO, Virginia Health Services.
“Vaccination efforts to date have helped make the residents of our communities much safer. The ready ability to maintain a high percentage of vaccinated people in our communities enables us to sustain this protection. We will continue to encourage vaccinations, as well as follow all safety guidelines such as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and conducting regular testing.” added Dr. Robert Walters, Vice President of Clinical Affairs, Virginia Health Services.
VHS worked with the Virginia Department of Health’s Long-Term Care Task Force, and collaborated with pharmaceutical companies and other health care providers to ensure access to life-saving supplies and treatments for its communities throughout the pandemic.
More than 1 in 5 adults are now fully vaccinated, including more than half of seniors, according to the CDC. The national goal set by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and LeadingAge is to vaccinate 75% of the nearly 1.5 million nursing home staff by June 30.
About VHS
Locally owned and headquartered in Newport News, Virginia since 1963, Virginia Health Services offers exceptional senior living and health care services. We specialize in the continuum of care from active lifestyle independent and assisted senior living communities, to skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. Our 1,200+ employees are passionate and committed to the well-being and quality care of our residents. Beyond our thoughtfully maintained communities located throughout the Virginia Peninsula, we offer a full range of personalized skilled health care, outpatient therapy, home care and hospice services by specially trained staff in the comfort and privacy of your home. To learn more, please visit our website at www.vahs.com.
Newport News, VA. – Today, Virginia Health Services (VHS) announced it will be profiled in two new ads launched by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), the nation’s largest association of long term and post-acute care providers.
The ads, “Family” and “Oath,” feature a diverse group of caregivers from multiple Virginia Health Services (VHS) communities: Northampton Convalescent & Rehabilitation Center, York Convalescent & Rehabilitation Center, and The Huntington at the Newport assisted living community. Included in both cable and digital advertisements are Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Brenda Kincaid, LPN Shannon Mullen, LPN Kim Randolph and Physical Therapist Stacey Sterner. The group discusses how long-term care staff have steadfastly protected and cared for nursing home and assisted living residents under very challenging circumstances. Additional VHS staff, residents and The Hamilton
at York assisted living community will be also featured in AHCA/NCAL’s ad content, which will run through the end of 2020 on select cable networks and digital platforms, and supplemented by local buys from AHCA/NCAL state affiliates.
“We are honored that AHCA/NCAL chose our team to be a part of this important campaign,” said Mark Klyczek, President & CEO, Virginia Health Services. “Our caregivers have faced extraordinary challenges over the past eight months, but despite the circumstances, they have never wavered from doing everything they can to protect our residents. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share our stories on a national platform. We hope these ads give Americans a better understanding of the courageous work our caregivers have undertaken and the high-quality care we provide every single day.”
About VHS
Locally owned and headquartered in Newport News, Virginia since 1963, Virginia Health Services offers exceptional senior living and health care services. We specialize in the continuum of care from active lifestyle independent and assisted senior living communities, to skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. Our 1,200+ employees are passionate and committed to the well-being and quality care of our residents. Beyond our thoughtfully maintained communities located throughout the Virginia Peninsula, we offer a full range of personalized skilled health care, outpatient therapy, home care and hospice services by specially trained staff in the comfort and privacy of your
home. To learn more, please visit our website at www.vahs.com.
Podcast, Becker’s Health Review. Published Sept. 30, 2020
Virginia Health Services CEO and President Mark Klyczek was featured on Becker’s Healthcare podcast to discuss his best advice for other leaders, his experience as a firefighter and more. Listen here: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/podcasts/podcasts-beckers-hospital-review/mark-klyczek-president-ceo-of-virginia-health-services.html?utm_campaign=bhr&utm_source=website&utm_content=related
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VHS President and CEO Mark Klyczek was one of 71 executives who shared “their top partnerships of the year — and what’s next” in a
