The Kansas City Star published an article on 2/23/20 about an ongoing administrative proceeding involving Village Shalom and resident Norman Bresel. Knowing that privacy laws prohibit us from responding to the allegations and disclosing medical and financial information, we provided a general statement, which was included in the article. What followed was an inaccurate portrayal of the facts, some of which we can comment further on here.
The article suggested that the ombudsman and surveyor found no documentary evidence to support the discharge decision. This is simply not true. Our medical records very clearly document the issues that are the basis of the involuntary discharge and the implication to the contrary in the article is simply wrong. Additionally, senior staff members clearly communicated with the ombudsman and surveyor that critical documentation resided in the personnel records and that Village Shalom has a duty to retain the confidentiality of these records. Village Shalom has gathered and supplied comprehensive background information to the Kansas Administrative Law Judge. This information will allow the Judge to fully evaluate the situation. We hope and expect that the judge will make a determination no later than next month.
Contrary to the suggestion of Mr. Bresel’s daughter, there was no vagueness or ambiguity in our discussions with her. She was made specifically aware of the issues that caused Village Shalom to follow the required procedures resulting in the upcoming hearing. She rejected multiple invitations to discuss these issues with us directly.
We are deeply disappointed by the family’s suggestion that the discharge was financially motivated. Not only is this not true, Village Shalom has never discharged a resident for financial reasons. Doing so would go against our defining principles. Each year we engage in fundraising activities to assure that financial assistance is available for those in need. Indeed, approximately 40% of Village Shalom’s skilled nursing residents are financed solely by Medicaid and approximately $1.5 million of care is subsidized each year by Village Shalom.
Lastly, under no circumstances (regardless of the outcome of the ongoing proceeding) will Mr. Bresel leave Village Shalom without complete assurances that he has a safe and appropriate new residence.
Village Shalom has a responsibility to protect all of our residents, staff, families and our extended community who come into contact with our residents. We do not take lightly our decision to act on behalf of our broad constituency in this instance. We believe that Village Shalom has acted responsibly and appropriately under these challenging circumstances.
We take pride in the reputation we have earned in our community for the quality of care we provide our residents. We are blessed with an extraordinary staff of caretakers and we work hard to embody the strong morals and ethics that have been at the core of our foundation for over a century. Our focus remains on serving those who live and work here every day to the absolute best of our ability.
If you have questions about the article, contact me at or 913.317.2600.
Matt Lewis
President & CEO, Village Shalom
