The Oregon Health Care Association has honored two Baycrest Village administrators from Coos Bay at its annual convention.

The association named Baycrest CEO/administrator Sam Van Meter as Administrator of the Year. In addition, William Moriarty, M.D., Baycrest’s medical director, also received the Innovative Program in Customer Service award.

Van Meter has been chief executive officer for two and a half years. During his tenure, he has shown great integrity, deep knowledge of long-term care management issues, and concern for the well being of the residents and staff, according to a press release.

The medical clinic staff has seen between five to 20 people per week, taking care of upper respiratory infections, physicals, rashes, injuries and assistance with finding resources to help take care of issues that need more invasive assistance. Van Meter promotes education, guidance and mentoring to ensure staff has the proper tools to be effective, the press release said.

In his role of medical director, Moriarty has assisted in the development of new policies and procedures to improve the quality of care provided to residents with an active role in reviewing potential admissions. In this last year, he has accepted responsibility and care of all admissions, some who do not have a physician to follow.

He actively reviews all significant medical changes in residents to help avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room. The result has been improved communication from discharging hospitals and the facility, which has increased the quality of care provided.

Moriarty was instrumental in gathering the information needed to support a clinic for the staff at Baycrest Village. This program has assisted in improving the health and stability of staff so that they can continue to provide the services needed to residents. Staff morale has improved; and the amount of work missed by staff has decreased, the press release said.