Richcroft to Launch In-House Nursing Supports this Fall
At Richcroft, one of our goals is to provide the highest quality care and support to those we serve. Another is to provide supports to help people live independently and in the least restricted environment possible. For many of those we serve, that means providing skilled nursing care so that individuals can live healthy and happy lives as part of the community.
In years past, Richcroft has contracted with a private company to provide on-site health care to our supported individuals. We are proud to report that this fall, Richcroft will be delivering compassionate and skilled nursing care to our participants through our own team of dedicated nurses and nurse practitioners.
Our team of nurses will be led by Richcroft’s Director of Nursing, Dr. Claudia Moon, a skilled nurse leader with more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare field. Claudia earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in 2020 from Chamberlain University. She comes to us with a vast background in hospital, rehabilitative and long-term care settings. Most recently serving as the Director of Nursing for Oak Crest Village at Erickson Senior Living, Dr. Moon is looking forward to utilizing a person-centered approach care model to building and overseeing the nursing department at Richcroft.
In June, Richcroft was pleased to welcome Florence Ndi, CRNP, to its Board of Directors. Florence is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare. She is a member of Sigma Theata Tau, the national honor society for nursing, and a member of the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association. Helping to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities is a passion of this mother of three, the youngest of whom has autism.
During the pandemic, Ms. Ndi served as a Health Service Liaison for the Maryland Department of Health and DDA, monitoring provider agencies, evaluating data, providing outreach and resources to fellow nurses, DSPs, families and individuals, and helping to develop and implement policies and procedures for nursing services including the statewide curriculum for use in orienting RNs new to the field of I/DD nursing. At Richcroft, she’s looking forward to promoting a culture of healthy living among our participants and being a resource as we establish our own nursing program here at Richcroft.
According to Lisa Ackerman, our long-time Director of Quality Assurance, the benefits of having a team of in-house nurses are immeasurable. With our own team of nurses, participants in our Residential Services will receive more than twice as many hours of individualized care each month. When there are emergencies after hours, they will be seen by a nurse who knows them well and is familiar with their unique situation. Here at Richcroft, as we carry out our mission, we consistently strive to improve the life, health and experience of those we serve. With the addition of our own team of quality, dedicated nurses, we believe we can do just that.