Although I ramble, my favorite topic has always been Northampton County government. That includes the county-owned nursing home, Gracedale. When there's been good news about the home, like a zero-deficiency survey from the state Department of Health (DOH), I've reported it. When it achieved a four-star (above average) rating, as it did at this time just one year ago, I let you know. But when it dropped to just a one-star (much below average) rating, was red-flagged for abuse and was issued a provisional license, I've told you that as well. Moreover, based on an analysis of the DOH surveys for all 14 county-owned nursing homes throughout the state in 10 different counties*, Gracedale has the lowest nursing care rating, It is the only county-owned home with a one-star rating. It had the highest number of deficiencies in 2025. Objectively, it was the worst county-owned home in the state in 2025 and kicked off the new year with yet another deficiency for inadequate staffing.
Unfortunately, there's been more bad than good news, but that's the way it is. If we have a moral obligation to care for those who are unable to care for themselves, and are spending public money for that purpose, then the public should know when we are falling short so we can rectify the situation. That's why the DOH surveys and Medicare star-ratings are public. That's why people can complain anonymously to the state DOH if they feel something is wrong even if it turns out that they are themselves incorrect.
Public scrutiny of a public nursing home is something that NorCo Council member Kelly Keegan dislikes. At last night's human services committee meeting, she actually wanted to know whether the county has a policy against whistleblowers who dare to report perceived violations at the home. Fortunately, Administrator Michelle Morton answered that whistleblowers are actually protected and could very well be sincere when they call in with a complaint.
Keegan was still unsatisfied. "That's cutting your nose off to spite your face," she suggested. "And it's like, their livelihood, so why would they want to do that?"
Maybe because they care about the residents and want the home to improve.
It's true that Gracedale does get complaints of deficiencies that turn out to be unfounded. But based on my analysis of the 14 county-owned nursing homes in 10 different counties, this happens at all nursing homes, not just Gracedale. Employees, families or residents themselves can complain. The state DOH would rather investigate an unfounded complaint than ignore a concern that is real.
Later in the meeting, Keegan objected to bringing in a consultant with recommendations on improving the home, arguing that we should refrain from spending money on a third party only to learn that our "fantastic administration" is telling the truth. "Don't we believe them?"
She added that any poor public perception of Gracedale is due solely to "one person that continues to trash Gracedale on a continuous basis, and I would put a lot of blame on that person. I think we all know who he is. Every single day, constantly writing about Gracedale, and if that one person would stop doing those things, and we could believe the administration, and what they're telling us, why would I pay somebody - a third party - to tell me that they're telling the truth?"
How about because Gracedale is a one-star home, is red-flagged for abuse, has a provisional license and had the lowest nursing care of all county-owned nursing homes in 2025. I believe the administration is trying, but I also believe the DOH.
During last night's meeting, NorCo Council member Dave Holland had two suggestions.
First, he suggested downsizing the home by eliminating a 30-bed unit. Exec Tara Zrinski is not ready to downsize at this point but agrees that reliance on agency nurses needs to be reduced. She worried that downsizing might result in the discharge of some residents, although that's not what Holland intimated.
I believe this topic will be revisited in the near future.
Holland's second suggestion was to bring in a third-party consultant to validate what's right and make suggestions to correct what is wrong. This is apparently also opposed by the administration. Although Council members like Theresa Fadem and Lori Vargo Heffner support this idea, Keegan is opposed, as I noted above. Council member Jeff Warren said we should first give Zrinski a chance. He suggested things might be different by the end of April.
Holland has no problem with waiting but cautioned that Council needs to monitor what is happening because a provisional license can eventually result in a denial of payments.
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*) NorCo Council member Kelly Keegan and Gracedale Administrator Michelle Morton stated last night that there are only seven county-owned homes in the state. According to the state DOH's nursing home facility locator, there are 14 county-owned nursing homes in 10 different counties.
You can bring on as many consultants as you like. Almost every nursing home hires outside contract agency nurses. There is a shortage of nurses because of low wages and nobody wants to work today. It will cost big money to have a full staff of nurses.
ReplyDeleteLike Warren, Keegan was picked by McClure due to the blind loyalty to him. She has no business on any governing body and frankly, she is no better than Sultana. Like you Bernie, she defended McClure when he wanted silence on Gracedale. All this shad was brought up last year and even before that, but the administration denied any problems, and you bashed anyone who questioned the talking points.
ReplyDeleteA radical lefty who gets upset with this blog is, by definition, unhinged. She also said Charlie Kirk's family would be better off without him. Can you imagine saying that to a set of parents residing at Gracedale? If she wants Gracedale's perception improved, she should stay as far away from it as possible.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny who we see when looking in the mirror? You have no self-awareness. If you did you would know that your worthless opinions and bothersome ideas are NOT reporting NorCo news. Your blog is your self projected vitriol oozing out your pores, and nothing more.
ReplyDeleteYour use of euphemisms for yourself is the only entertainment here.
Hi Kelly
DeleteShe really has a politburo- level thought process
ReplyDeleteTrump could fix Gracedale in 2 minutes.
ReplyDeleteSure he could…he’d blow it up like the boats.
DeleteI am aware of at least three residents that are able to move into outside living arrangements but are being held here due to difficulty in arranging coordination between Gracedale, NORCO agency on aging, HHS medicare/medicaid, Social Security, and outside NGOs. These different units work against each other to accomplish one task.
ReplyDeleteSomeone should ask her what she has done to rectify the unfilled vacancies, rather than just complaining. Guess she forget that she was elected to solve problems , not cause them.
ReplyDeleteIt's a darn good thing you're a "D" BO. If you were a "R" MAGA cult Keegan would be calling for you to be jailed as a traitor. Sounds like she is using Hegseth's playbook.
ReplyDeleteKeegan, you know what Col Jessup said. "You can't handle the truth".
ReplyDeleteWear her distain as a badge of honor.
ReplyDeleteStart by looking at every career service position at Gracedale. Not every position is needed. Not every department needs more than 1 employee. Mid level management is not needed. Their work can be split between others in the department. Give those actually doing the work a raise. The money from those salaries can go towards patient care. Have a consultant actually spend a few days with each employee and see what they do. Don’t look at job descriptions because they aren’t followed. Do more work with less staff and give raises.
ReplyDeleteWe should see what makes the other County homes successful and follow their lead
ReplyDelete8:26 -- Probably has to do with electing competent, capable, and wise people to their county council. Blame the NorCo voters on that one.
DeleteWhile not as toxic and disgusting as her comments on Charlie Kirk last year, this fool can make such blithering, idiotic comments because she suffers no consequences for her words and deeds.
ReplyDeleteI looked in the dictionary, her picture was under the word Delusional
DeleteKeegan believes there should be policy to prevent whistleblowers? She's probably a #NoKings person, too, and so feeble-minded she cannot see the duplicity of her statement. Unfit for office.
ReplyDeleteShe's a disgrace!
DeleteNone of them see the hypocrisy. It's really humorous.
DeleteLook at all you Charlie Kirk enthusiasts! Keegan’s Kirk comments were NOT toxic nor disgusting. She actually was spot on. Erika is celebrating his death with fireworks, sparkles, and sitting pretty in her new CEO position. Keegan is the one who spoke the truth about that racist influencer. Who couldn’t handle the truth???
ReplyDeleteIf you believe this you’re just as sick as Keegan. No one should say a wife and their children are better off with their husband and father. Only someone with a history of sick comments would say that, and Keegan’s got a book load of sick comments. Start with the above.
Delete@11:20 so you support a labeled racist who spouted that we should have public executions where 12 year olds should be able to watch, and that lives lost to gun violence was the price for our 2nd amendment right? Well he sure paid with his own and he supported that.
DeleteBoohoo Keegan has a different opinion than you. Maybe you should get fired for being a racist supporter?!
Hi Kelly!
DeleteDo not be posting on the job. Super simple to understand. Of course the school district covered for her. She should have been fired for that. Plus I wouldn't allow my kids near her but that's just me. I'm not fond of unhinged psychos around my kids.
DeleteI agree with this commenter, who, like Charlie Kirk's family, would be better off without he/she/it. Kelly is a foul, dystopian racist cat lady with profound mental issues. Her girth also indicates zero self-control, and no concern for public health. She should eat a carrot and run a lap for the betterment of humanity.
DeleteOh yes, let's pour more money into Gracedale! It's funny to see y'all say let's not spend a penny more but then turn around and say let's pay someone to tell the very expensive administration what they should be doing! Do you hear yourselves??
ReplyDeleteIt’s not that I didn’t believe you, Bernie, but I actually had to watch the video of the meeting to get the full effect of the nonsense. It was even more ridiculous than you described. David Holland (maybe) is beginning to see what he’s signed on for with this position as commissioner. Yes, a provisional license is bad. Yes, it’s for six months and then can continue to “provisional 2”, withholding of payment and worse. A big gotcha is that already reports to council are lacking (1/8/26 citation an example of something not reported as requested). Tara doesn’t understand math either since Gracedale apparently doesn’t have a full census (497)and hasn’t had one in quite awhile. No one would be left without a bed if 30 beds are removed from the census. Kelli continues to confirm exactly how much of a fool she is in trying to pretend that everything is fine at Gracedale. Who knew that it was all the blogger’s fault all along? Who knew that she was more of a believer in self preservation than in integrity? So she(as a nurse) would not report patient/resident abuse if she witnessed it because she’d “cut off her nose to spite her face”. I couldn’t see faces but apparently the administrator gave Tara “a look” when David Holland mentioned “third party “ review of Gracedale. Imagine if the Republican candidates had won in November. They would have their feet to the fire about Gracedale. Now it’s all about “wait and see”. Well now we know there were two more visits to Gracedale not yet on the state site. Tara doesn’t want agency staffing but isn’t that the plan of correction for the 1/8/26 citation? So confusing!
ReplyDeleteWith Keegan being a nurse for the EASD, there should be an investigation as to what’s going on there. What is she hiding if she thinks is okay not to tell anyone what is wrong with Gracedale. Keep her away from kids.
DeleteI wouldn't want Koo Koo anywhere near my kids!
DeleteThe school district is as corrupt as she is. They sweep all her writeups under the rug. With her husband back on the board and yet more conflict of interests, she gets away with it all. Ask why that is
DeleteI understand giving the administration some time to turn things around, but why not at least prepare an RFP in the meantime for a 3rd party and gather proposals? That way, if at the end of April things have not improved, the county will have already started the process of evaluating a 3rd party reviewer.
ReplyDeleteCounty council does not play the role of administration, so why would they do an RFP that is a role of the current county executive and not a role of county council.
DeleteThe administration would need at least two years to turn this around. It should be done with professional support as you suggest, whether it be management or consulting.
DeleteBecause that would be the smart thing to do. If we wait we can buy even more time.
ReplyDeleteCan you believe how dumb Kelly Keegan is? Whistleblowers are protected by law! This lady is an RN? I wouldn’t let her anywhere near my kids. Nobody should go through life so full of hate and incompetence lol.
ReplyDeleteThere are 11 counties left in the nursing home biz in PA - Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Indiana, Lehigh, Northampton, Warren, and Westmoreland. Allegheny County has four county owned nursing homes. Lehigh County has two county owned nursing homes (Allentown and Fountain Hill), but they sit under the same licensure and as such appear as one home publicly. In summary there are 11 counties left in the business in PA, 14 county nursing home licenses in PA, and 15 county nursing homes. Additionally, there are six state owned and operated veterans nursing homes in PA - Delaware Valley, Gino Meril, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors, Southeastern Veterans Center, and Southwestern Veterans Center. That makes 20 government owned Nursing home licenses in the state and 21 government owned nursing homes (Again, with Lehigh’s very unique licensure having two homes under one license since the 1990s). I hope you can incorporate this information into future blog posts, and perhaps you can educate Northampton County officials as well that Government owned nursing homes in PA is not quite as unique as they believe.
ReplyDeleteFor context, there are 67 counties in PA.
DeleteSure, there are 67 counties. That doesn’t much when 34 of them have populations less than 100,000 people. Some have less population than the larger boroughs of the Lehigh Valley.
DeleteI thought David Holland was working for Gracedale when John Brown was the executive. Didn't he personally have a hand in reducing staff for Brown by about 250 people? He talks a good talk and tries to look like it isn't his fault that gracedale is under staffed. Why don't you look into the history of this clown we elected Commissioner and print the real truth of his contribution to this crisis at the nursing home. I'm sure someone like you can investigate this and find the facts of David Holland and his staff cutting measures while employed by the third party administrator.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t elect David Holland. He’s been out of the business for years. He is right though about the apparent serious issues at Gracedale that everyone is ignoring or blaming on a blogger. Let’s blame WFMZ and the Morning Call too while we are at it since they also covered the story.
DeleteHolland was there during Stoffa's term. But don't let that get in the way of your hatred of Brown after McClure's 8 years of mismanagement.
DeleteEmpty positions that can't be filled is not really emininating positions.. it looks good for the consultant in paper but in reality it's meaningless
DeleteDo your homework before criticizing. Premier came in under Stoffa not Brown in 2011 . Premier had Diem Freeman managing along with David Holland and they were credited with reducing the county subsidy and helping Gracedale’s get to a break even point in 2016.
ReplyDeleteBrown and Stoffa praised Premier for their efforts in improving the operations. It was under
McCure that the Premier program was removed and county took control and the home began to spiral downward.
Kelly Keegan is a mandatory reporter. Now if she abides by that is a different story.
ReplyDeleteKelly comments aren't worth even talking about except I can't believe she is a nurse. As for Hollands comments. 30 beds won't do it. But what really is a waste of money is a consultant only. They are hired by the executive and report on what the executive asks. I've seen it over and over again. Staff can give you more I formation on the issues you don't need to hire a consultant. It's a waste of money. However a co sultan to run the home as administrator and support would be important if The executive will let them do what they fo best and not interfere
ReplyDeleteIt’s all your fault Bernie! Lol this Keegan is not well. Hope she gets the help she needs.
ReplyDeleteI've been at Gracedale for quite some time and while years ago it was the best place to work. I find myself struggling to understand what happened during the last 3 to 5 years. I understand McClure did not want to give the employees of the facility more money but that doesn't really make sense. At one point we were the highest paying nursing facility around and now we're pretty much the lowest paying facility around. I do believe that it is not 60% agency. It's more like 90% agency. I believe that a lot of these incidents happened because of some of these agency employees laziness and lack of training. It's all about the money.. Dave Holland's idea of getting a third party in here is a very very good idea because that's what it took initially to get us back on track. And how many times do we have to go through this to get back on track? It just seems that everyone is lying all the time and instead of helping the residents we just keep lying and pretending that we are okay. But we are not okay. How does cedarbrook do it? They're expanding and we're trying to downsize? Why?
ReplyDeleteCedarbrook has been improving and planning long-term for years. It began with closing three units over 20 years ago and turning them into independent living. They then started working on a plan that is happening now and building a brand new building with two bed rooms that are marketable. They decreased bed census. In early 2000 when agency cost was high they systematically stopped agency while increasing Perdiem no benefit rates for nursing staff rather than the agency making the money the staff did. They also stopped life time health care benefits in the 1990s way before gracedale did. They kept up to date with equipment needs and facility updates throughout this time. They had hired administrators with knowledge of how to be successful and finally was able to hire a non management in house administrator who csme into a deficiency free five star nursing home.staff were treated with dignity and respect and it showed in all aspects of care.they collaborated with vo tech and nursing programs to have them cone to cedarbrook during clinical and many of those students came to work there after graduation. I could go on and on as many great things happened there by dedicated staff. It took team work and great staff who cared!
DeleteI just read over at WFMZ's website that the Lehigh Co Exec is going to take some of the positions nurses at Cedar Brook and phase them out. He will take the nurses' salaries for his new additions to his cabinet. Maybe Gracedale won't be behind Cedar Brook in the near future?
ReplyDeleteI would bet money they were open positions. Just a budgeted position slot that was not needed. County plays with those positions all the time. Understanding staffing and positions is important and that I s a huge part of gracedales problem. Compliment of positions is key
DeletePerhaps check with cedarbrook administrator and see if he agreed to let go of the positions?
ReplyDeleteKelly Keegan wished death on republicans. Admitted to spreading poison ivy. Laughed at peoples death local and public. She is unhinged and can not be trusted and anyone who does is as delusional as she is. This county will be better only when her and her husband are out of it.
ReplyDeleteNow that will be some party.
DeleteI believe Keegan is correct. Public perception of Gracedale has always been poor. I believe that is because they cannot turn away the poorest of the poor who cannot afford the price of private homes (at least 1k per month for the worst of them) and folks believe since it is free to most of its patients it must not be good. That is no slight on the quality of care the patients receive just check out some of the ritzy nursing homes where the help smile and talk nice to you to sell you the home while the patients are alone in their single or double rooms. After those patients run out of money guess who gets them?
ReplyDelete