O'Neill Care & Rehab 'Will Be Keeping Doors Open'

Despite struggles over the past week, O’Neill Care and Rehabilitation Center has been the object of support and contributions from the O’Neill community.

As a needed service in O’Neill and the surrounding communities, CEO Stephanie Clifton wants to ensure that everyone knows they have no intent of going out of business.

“We will be keeping our doors open and continuing to provide care to our residents. We have not had one employee not show up, despite no paychecks received on March 23," she said.

Clifton is grateful for the love and support the center is being shown.

“Everyone’s thoughts and prayers for our residents and staff have sincerely been appreciated as we progress through the recent events involving the placement of O’Neill Care and Rehabilitation Center into a Receivership with the State of Nebraska,” she said.

She goes on to say, “The outpouring of support from the O’Neill community, as well as many other contributors such as Immanuel Communities has given us inspiration and confidence that our communities value what we do on a daily basis.”

Clifton’s current focus is on her staff, providing help and resources for them as they go through this difficult time, especially knowing that her staff is continuing to provide excellent care to the residents.

“Whatever company we may be under, it is the same caring staff providing cares to our residents and ensuring they have what they need. Our residents have never had to go without anything they have needed,” says Clifton.

“It has renewed each of our sense of purpose and made our family here at O’Neill Care and Rehabilitation Center stronger than ever,” Clifton spoke about the struggling times. “I can’t help but think of the verse Esther 4:14 ‘Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.’ My staff have shown that their actions were never for a company but for their residents all along.”​

Klaasmeyer & Associates took over March 23 as managers from the New Jersey-based Cottonwood Healthcare L.L.C. also known as Skyline. They are now overseeing the facilities and communicating with DHHS on a daily basis. 

Ken and Linda Klaasmeyer have been in the healthcare business since 1972. George said she met with them on March 27 to receive initial direction in proceeding forward and “returned to our community with a renewed spirit.”

“People should feel better today than last week,” Ken Klaasmeyer said. “There’s more oversight now than they every had before. We’re checking in with the state daily, as well as the facilities and making sure there is staff and food available.”

Clifton is confident in the placement, saying “This firm has extended operational experience in working with nursing facilities/assisted living in our state. The State of Nebraska has entrusted the care of our facilities - residents and staff - to them.”