Newton Village awarded for its quality care, making it one of the best health care facilities in Iowa

Sometimes it takes a village to ensure Newton’s senior citizens receive the best care possible, and Sarah Coy made sure to name almost every staff member in Newton Village who played a pivotal role in the health care facility receiving a top honor Aug. 30 for its quality care and most recent deficiency-free survey.

“There’s no secret to our success,” Coy, the director of nursing, said after listing as many leadership, nursing, support and other staff members as she could. “We’re not lucky, I assure you of that. We simply serve with compassion and strive for excellence every single day.”

Newton Village earned the 2022 Governor’s Award for Quality Care in Health Care Facilities. Presented by Larry Johnson Jr., director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, the award is designed for facilities who are offering unique and innovative activities that enhance residents’ quality of care.

“Today is my favorite part of the job because usually we point out what facilities are doing wrong, but today we get to point out what a very special facility is doing right. And there’s quite a lot of right going on,” he said. “…There are two things special going on that you created: you created a family and you created a home.”

To be considered for the award, a Newton Village resident had to nominate and speak highly of the facility. Which was no problem. When DIA interviewed the residents, Johnson said they could not say enough of how the staff really make sure they treat residents the way they want to be treated and care for each other.

“On behalf of Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, I wanted to thank you for enhancing health care in the state,” Johnson said. “Thank you for making Newton Village a place that people want to live, that people thrive. This award is a big deal and you should be very proud of yourselves.”

Bob Dahl, president and CEO of Cassia, the company that owns and sponsors Newton Village, was proud of the facility’s latest award. In the past, the facility has received the Best Nursing Homes designation by U.S. News and World Report and earned five-stars for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Our mission at Cassia is to foster fullness of life for older adults in the spirit of Christ and love. And that’s what we strive to do and accomplish every day,” Dahl said, noting staff’s heroic work during the pandemic. “Sometimes we get it really right and we get recognition for that and it ends up being a day like today.”

Several community members and Newton Village residents celebrated the care center’s achievement during a reception this week. Newton Mayor Mike Hansen said it is very obvious why the residents enjoy “such a beautiful home” and feel “so cared and loved for.” He applauded the team members who lead that care.

“You put yourself at risk for others. You put your life at aside and give your time away. You love others when no one is looking. You stand tall when others are too weak. You smile when you want to cry. You push your body to the limit. You give strength when others are in need and you make a difference,” Hansen said.

Newton Village Executive Director Angela Adam said the past two years have been challenging for her staff, her residents and residents’ loved ones. For her team to be able to receive such an award is “humbling” and “such an honor,” particularly after the difficulties spawned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We live out our service standards every day, every way,” Adam said. “We recognize each other for living out our service standards, and by doing so the rest does fall into place. We show compassion. We work in unity. We strive to protect our residents, to protect each other. And it does fall into place.”

Loving and showing compassion comes easy for the Newton Village team. Getting a hug from a resident is an easy way to make a staff member’s day. It is an almost indescribable feeling, Adam said. But protecting residents — especially from the pandemic — is and has been difficult. But staff are up to the challenge.

“It hasn’t been easy, but it’s certainly been rewarding,” Adam said.

Staff at Newton Village shared the same feelings as Adam. Coy, whose life’s calling seems to be helping people, was touched by the award.

When Coy was at a very young age, she recalled telling God she absolutely was not going to be a nurse. She’s been a nurse for almost 30 years. When she was a young nurse, she told God she absolutely would not be a long-term care nurse. She’s been taking care of the aging population for a good portion of her career.

In September 2021, Coy told God that she absolutely could not be a director of nursing any longer because she was exhausted. But in that same month DIA entered into Newton Village at 9 o’clock in the morning for Coy’s annual inspection, which was two years overdue because of the COVID health crisis.

“It was this survey that started the spark that brought us here today,” Coy said during the reception celebration. “I’m pretty sure whenever I tell God what I’m not going to do he laughs a little and says, ‘Oh, child of mine, you really need to listen to me and follow my plans.’”

Newton Village is one of five facilities in the state to have five stars in all domains, Coy added, which puts the health care center in the top 1 percent in the state and the top 2 percent in the nation. Between the numerous awards, local recognition and the lack of deficiencies, Newton Village is setting a high bar.

“It takes a village — I say that all the time and truly believe that to be true.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com