Liberty Health and Rehab is dedicated to continuously enhancing the care and services we provide to our residents. That’s why we are excited to announce that Royal Park of Matthews Rehabilitation and Health Center is among the first skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers to benefit from a $380,000 grant awarded to FutureCare NC, a nonprofit organization established by the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association (NCHCFA).

Funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this grant will support the Building Culture Leaders Program over the next three years, bringing new leadership development opportunities to 40 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers across North Carolina.

Empowering Leadership to Improve Senior Care

The Building Culture Leaders Program focuses on improving the health and well-being of skilled nursing center residents by equipping long-term care (LTC) leaders with essential knowledge and skills. The program’s goal is to foster leadership excellence and a positive organizational culture, ultimately driving quality improvement and person-centered care for residents.

The program will focus on the following:

• Resident-centered care through improved leadership practices
• Staff development and engagement to promote high-quality service
• Operational efficiency to create a positive environment for both residents and employees

The program is designed to directly impact over 1,000 LTC leaders and staff through:

• In-person leadership training sessions
• Onsite coaching and team-building workshops
• A structured curriculum focused on developing and sustaining resident-focused care

By the end of the three-year grant period, the program aims to:

• Increase resident and family satisfaction in quality of care and quality of life by 15 percent
• Strengthen organizational culture and leadership skills, with at least 75 percent of participants reporting improvement

Liberty Health and Rehab is proud to be part of this initiative, ensuring our communities are at the forefront of leadership excellence in long-term care. With this grant, Royal Park of Matthews is positioned to lead the way in implementing best practices that elevate the standard of care in skilled nursing and rehabilitation communities.

Kicking Off the Program at Royal Park of Matthews

The initiative officially launched with a special presentation from representatives of NCHCFA at Royal Park of Matthews, marking the beginning of this transformative journey. Mark Gogal, the Vice President of Workforce Development at NCHCFA, is leading the curriculum. Paul Babinski, NCHCFA Board Chair and Liberty Health and Rehab’s Vice President of Operations, also attended to discuss how this grant will benefit Royal Park of Matthews and long-term care in North Carolina.

“Lessons will be brought back to our Liberty Health and Rehab skilled care communities where most importantly, our engaged, empowered and more highly satisfied workforce will deliver resident care with elevated purpose and customer focus,” shared Babinski. “Ultimately, our goal is developing impassioned leaders that create a work culture of excellence that results in the best person-centered care for our residents and their families.”

As one of the first centers to participate in the Building Culture Leaders Program, Royal Park of Matthews is proud to set the stage for a new era of excellence in senior care. With access to cutting-edge training and leadership resources, our team at Royal Park of Matthews is eager to apply these insights to continue providing the highest quality of care to our residents. This grant represents an incredible opportunity to strengthen leadership and improve the overall resident experience in skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers.

Looking Ahead: Future Growth and Leadership Development

In addition to the Building Culture Leaders Program, Liberty Health and Rehab is fortunate to have a diverse group of leaders participating in the NCHCFA’s Institute for LTC Leaders.

Program participants include:

• Nicola James, LNHA, Administrator at Royal Park of Matthews Rehabilitation and Health Center
• Garret Keener, LNHA, Administrator at The Oaks
• Elizabeth Lockett, RN, LNHA, Administrator at Yadkin Nursing Center
• Leslie Robinson, RN, Director of Nursing at Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Lee County
• Becky Ballard, HR Coordinator at Silver Bluff Village
• Lashonda Ladson, Human Resources at Oak Forest Health and Rehabilitation Center
• Brittany Batot, Liberty Care Coordinator for Forsyth County

The Institute for LTC Leaders is making a meaningful impact, empowering passionate leaders to create work environments rooted in excellence. Our dedicated staff are applying these leadership lessons to their communities, reinforcing person-centered care that residents and families truly appreciate.

“Program participants are bringing back learned materials that are influencing positive work cultures, reinforcing the importance of participatory decision-making, reinforcing the value of engaged and recognized team members,” explained Babinski. “They are also sharing information and updates with generous transparency. This program is already making a positive difference to our attendees and is gaining positive traction.”

As Liberty Health and Rehab continues to embrace leadership development, we are excited to announce that another cohort of participants will soon be enrolling in this program. Multiple candidates from Liberty Health and Rehab are preparing to submit applications to participate, ensuring that our skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers remain at the forefront of excellence in care.

At Liberty Health and Rehab, we recognize that leadership excellence is a long-term commitment. However, as the saying goes, even a marathon begins with a single step. Through our involvement in the Building Culture Leaders Program and the Institute for LTC Leaders, we are taking bold steps toward developing strong, engaged leaders who are shaping the future of senior care.

About Liberty Health and Rehab

Liberty Health and Rehab is part of Liberty Health, a family-owned company that has provided continuum of care services across the Carolinas and beyond since 1875.