Karen Burr, R.N.

Karen Burr, R.N., will be honored June 25 for receiving the Long Term Care Employee of Distinction Award given by the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. This award was given in the eight districts of New York state.

Burr was nominated by a co-worker for "rewriting the standard of long term care education and quality improvement at Lakeside Beikirch Care Center." Burr wears two hats at Lakeside - Long Term Care Coordinator and Performance Improvement Coordinator.

Burr says she believes that the harder she works for the employee, the more they will give back to the residents. This is evidenced by the reduction in the staff turnover rate among care center employees. New programs for employees that work around their schedules, to further educate them on current issues, are now highly anticipated instead of being attended because they are required. Staff orientation is now planned around the individuals' schedules which may be 11:30 p.m. She also implemented a program for staff to recognize each other's good works.

In addition to staff orientation and continuing education, Burr also tracks care audits and presents the findings to continuously ensure that the residents are receiving the best care possible.

This spring, LBCC was inspected and approved for Joint Commission Accreditation for the first time. Only seven nursing homes in Monroe County are accredited. Burr had a major part in that undertaking and now the three care provider corporations of Lakeside Health System are all accredited by their respective oversight organizations.