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Vet home’s Skillingstad presented prestigious award
Published 12:00pm Wednesday, April 1, 2009By Tom Hintgen
Daily Journal
Jon Skillingstad, who has served as administrator of the Minnesota Veterans Home, Fergus Falls, since the first resident arrived in March 1998, is the recipient of the Administrator of the Year Award from the Aging Services of Minnesota Institute. Although honored and humbled by this high award, Skillingstad said the honor reflects the commitment of the entire staff at the vets home to make the facility an even better place to live for veterans and spouses.
The award comes from the state’s largest association of older adult services professionals. Skillingstad was praised for his leadership, compassion and advocacy for veterans.
“Our success here in Fergus Falls comes from the quality of people who work at the veterans home,” he said. “The facility is not just brick and mortar. We have leadership teams that sincerely listen to our direct care workers who come in daily contact with veterans and spouses. We always strive for improvement with a philosophy of not just adding years to life, but adding life to years.”
Skillingstad came to Fergus Falls 11 years ago from Duluth where he worked for Benedictine Health Center. He’s a native of Windom in southwestern Minnesota.
“It was a wonderful opportunity for me to become the first administrator for what was then the newest veterans home in Minnesota,” he said. “All of us, each day, discuss resident needs and we do the things necessary to make life better for our 85 residents who, as veterans and spouses, have given so much to their country.”
State Rep. Bud Nornes, Fergus Falls, was among those nominating Skillingstad for the state award.
“Under Jon’s leadership, the veterans home in Fergus Falls has become a model for nursing homes across the nation,” Nornes said. “Those who observe Jon’s leadership skills say he continually serves with passion and is a true advocate for veterans.”
Skillingstad has been innovative in his approach. Examples include establishment of a General Store at the veterans home as well as a library and Family Inn.
“The Family Inn offers families some privacy, where they can use a kitchen, serve a home-cooked meal, and have some family time together in a private dining area, with fireplace,” he said. “It’s also here, at the Family Inn, where individual care conferences are held for the individual veteran and family members, with privacy in mind.”
Skillingstad established the first nursing home with a nurse-practioner based out-patient clinic at a veterans home. Included is a shared service agreement with the Veterans Administration.
He created Primary Focus Nursing that addresses specific philosophies of person-directed care. This resulted in the veterans home, Fergus Falls, receiving the Excellence in Practice Award from Aging Services on Minnesota.
Skillingstad created the Walk of Honor as a patriotic tribute and a memorial walk. He praises staff members and volunteers who plan from 250 to 300 outings a year, with regular activities held within the vets home itself.
Angie Stueve, RN supervisor, is among those who express appreciation to Skillingstad for allowing staff members to use what’s referred to as the Wheel Concept at the veterans home in Fergus Falls.
“Each of us in encouraged to develop ideas to creatively deliver care and enhance life’s experiences for our veterans and spouses,” she said.
For military veteran and volunteer Gene Fahey, going to the veterans home on a regular basis is more than just a labor of love. He says that being in close contact with veterans, family members and staff gives him much in return.
“This positive atmosphere comes from the top, and that’s a credit to Jon Skillingstad,” he said.
