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Mountain View PACE’s new Corbin facility hoping to keep seniors at home for longer

Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus, Knox County Judge-Executive Mike Mitchell and Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. were among a group of VIP’s on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday morning to celebrate the opening of the Mountain View PACE – One Senior Care facility in Corbin.

Soon-to-be client Kenneth Helms cut the ribbon Tuesday celebrating the opening of the new Mountain View PACE center in Corbin.

However, it was soon-to-be client Kenneth Helms, who was the honorary ribbon cutter from his wheelchair.

PACE, which stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is a program that helps older adults (individuals age 55 plus) with complex care needs avoid nursing homes, and instead helps them receive care and services necessary to help them be safe, comfortable and healthy while living in their own community.

Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman was on hand for the ceremony and said she was thankful for facilities like this, which fill the gap and help keep seniors at home for longer.

“This is the warmest best welcome in any state that we have had so thank you,” Marcie Campbell, vice president for marketing and intake for One Senior Care, told the crowd in attendance Tuesday.

“Kenneth, you are why we do what we do every day. We are so blessed to be able to help seniors, like Kenneth, stay in their own homes. As Kenneth ages we are going to be right with him where ever he goes to help him stay safe and healthy and independent.”

The PACE program services can include medical care, therapy, social work support, transportation and nutritious meals.

Coleman added that the opportunity the program will provide to people like Kenneth, will be life changing not just for him but also for his family, like his daughter, Camillia Howells, who was also in attendance at Tuesday’s ceremony.

The Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce presented Mountain View PACE with its new member plaque during Tuesday’s ceremony.

Coleman said facilities like this are critically important not just for the community, but also for the region.

“I am just so grateful that we have folks, who are going to stand in the gap and fill the void for so many folks in the region,” Coleman added.

Mitchell said he remembers going to a meeting about this facility one year ago with White and some other officials.

“I left there so pumped up. I remember coming back and talking to my staff about the potential impact this will be on our community,” he added.

Razmus noted that the Mountain View PACE center is a unique opportunity for the community.

“This is such a service that has needed to be brought to our area for so long,” Razmus noted.

Mountain View Pace is located in the Tri-County Square shopping center near Ollie’s in Knox County.

Mountain View held a ribbon cutting for a second facility in Pikeville Wednesday.

While Coleman attended Tuesday’s ribbon cutting in Corbin, Gov. Andy Beshear attended Wednesday’s ribbon cutting in Pikeville.

“The governor said, ‘We have to be there because this is such as an important program,’” Coleman added Tuesday.

Dayspring Health announces new interim CEO, shows off new facility to staff

Dr. Geogy Thomas (left) passes the baton to Larry Rector (right), who was recently named Dayspring’s interim CEO.

Just weeks after it was announced that Dayspring Health’s chief executive officer would be stepping down, an interim has been named in time to help oversee the opening of the healthcare provider’s new facility and he is a familiar face for those who work there.

Larry Rector, who serves as Dayspring’s chief financial officer, has been named interim CEO, according to information shared last Thursday during a staff event at the new Dayspring Regional Health Center (DRHC).

The decision comes following an announcement early last month from Dr. Geogy Thomas, who said he was stepping down from his role as CEO, a position he had held in an interim capacity beginning in February 2020 before fully assuming the role in December 2020.

During last week’s event, Thomas introduced Rector as the new CEO, marking a figurative and literal passing of the baton in Dayspring’s leadership, as Thomas had a special memento made just for the occasion.

“Just like in the race, this race is not done for me. Which is why I thought it was very appropriate to get a baton,” said Thomas. “But it is time for me to pass this baton to the next guy. I’m glad that it’s someone that I know and I love and I care for.”

Rector has been with Dayspring Health since December 2018, acting as CFO and chief operating officer since that time. According to a release, he has managed the strategic use of a nearly $15 million operating budget, increased annual net revenue by $500,000 to $1.5 million through diversification of revenue sources and secured $16.5 million in New Market Tax Credits to help renovate the space that now houses DRHC.

Currently, it is expected that Rector will continue his role as CFO along with his interim CEO position.

Thomas will retain his position as Dayspring’s chief medical officer moving forward.

While speaking to the staff of Daypring at last week’s event, Rector thanked them for their continued efforts to ensure that the community is cared for through the work that they do and voiced his appreciation for the opportunity to serve as CEO.

“So many times, I’ve said to Geogy, ‘This work that we do together is like a front row seat to seeing the Lord work.’ Your faith will be transformed by being a part of this organization. It has been for me. And again, that is why it is an honor,” said Rector.

“When I was thinking about this role and the idea of being in charge, I’ve actually been reading board meeting minutes from the start of this organization to get a sense of…have we been what our origin story has been since day one,” said Rector. “It was fascinating to read a story where the group was praying, ‘Someday can we have dental services in Whitley County?’ We do. That is one example of the things that have been prayed for that have come. We stand in answered prayers today. And when I think about…the things that we’re praying for on the horizon, someday we will get to say, ‘These are the days that we prayed for.’ That excites me.”

With a number of DRHC’s services set to open their doors to patients later this month, those days Rector and others have prayed for are upon them.

A view of the main foyer and reception area when walking in the main entrance.

DRHC is a 50,000 square foot comprehensive medical center that is anticipated to be a one-stop shop for the community that it serves. The new facility will address the common issue of access to quality healthcare by providing a medical home with numerous services in one location, according to a release.

Primary care, mental health therapy, women’s health/obstetrics and lab services are expected to be operational by mid-June. Pediatrics, which has been offered in a non-permanent location during the facility’s construction, will also be available at that time in its new location.

Dentistry is anticipated to open sometime in mid-July at DRHC, with extended services such as physical therapy, pharmacy and diagnostics to follow sometime in the fall or winter months.

According to information provided during last week’s event, once diagnostic services are up and running, those in the community who are not Dayspring patients will also be able to make use of the services and still qualify for Dayspring’s sliding scale, though those details haven’t been finalized yet.

DRHC has been under construction in the old Walmart portion of the Cumberland Regional Mall since last summer, where work has continued practically non-stop in anticipation of the facility’s opening.

District Court Records

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