District Judge Tim Kelly, (Front,Center), sings at Bay County Medical Care Facility open house last Wednesday that drew several hundred dignitaries and visitors.

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Bay County Medical Care Facility Shows Off Two Wing Addition, Renovations

Facility Provides Skilled Nursing, Rehabilitation for 206 Patients

October 31, 2005       Leave a Comment
By: Dave Rogers

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The community's oldest nursing facility, the Bay County Medical Care Facility (BCMCF), opened in 1964, celebrated a rebirth last week with improved facilities.

BCMCF, 564 W. Hampton Road, Essexville, dedicated two new wings providing 32 new resident rooms in a two wing, 25,000 square foot addition.

"The addition and renovations have increased the quality of life of the residents," said Frederick Dryzga, board chairman.

The facility houses persons ranging in age from 24 to102, with average age of 81. Long term care is provided and many residents are rehabilitated and are able to return home, according to Brenda Burzynski, administrator.

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A total of 320 employees, including about 180 full-time, staff the facility, she said, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants.

The recently completed $5 million project also provides expanded dining, recreation and chapel area, front entrance drive and pavilion.

Twelve four bed units were converted to semi-private rooms with additional bathrooms and showers, according to Mrs. Burzynski.

A Residents' Council, that meets monthly, helped plan the improvements, she said.

Several hundred guests, including state, county and BCMCF officials, participated in an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Residents who are veterans, Robert Holka, U.S. Army, and Telesforo Ramirez, U.S. Navy, raised the flag in opening ceremonies presided over by Mr. Dryzga, board chairman.

Additional comments were by Jane F. Smith, board vice chair, member J. Donald David, and former administrator Bill Mahoney.

Also on hand were Kathy Cholak-Jones, director, Michigan Department of Human Services, Bay City office; Vicki Barcia, wife of State Sen. James A. Barcia; representatives of Sen. Carl Levin and U.S. Rep. Dale F. Kildee; Eugene F. Gwizdala, chairman, Bay County Board of Commissioners; former board member Terry Kelley; and John Piggott, attorney for the facility.

Residents Helen Oswald and William Rechsteiner conducted the ribbon cutting and District Judge Timothy Kelly sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful." Father Bill Gruden delivered the blessing.

Ceremonial key passing involved Ken Neigh, architect, of William A. Kibbe & Associates. Lowell Myers was project manager. WobigConstruction, Saginaw, was general contractor, and sub contractors were Clements Electrical, Bay City, and MidState Plumbing & Heating, Mt. Pleasant.

The project was financed from the facility's fund balance, according to Mr. Dryzga. The facility is owned by Bay County, regulated by the Michigan Department of Community Health and directed by the Department of Human Services Board appointed by the Governor and the Bay County Board of Commissioners.

Operation of the facility is financed under a $16 million annual budget from local, state and federal sources, including Medicare and Medicaid and a small percentage of private payments.

Since 1983 a .50 mill property tax levy has been approved by voters. That levy runs through2008 when a renewal will be sought, officials said.

Medical director is Dr. George B. Loan, M.D., along with Dr. Robert Hafford, M.D., and Dr. Douglas Tubman, M.D. Kim Geno, RN, is nursing director. The medical staff is available 24 hours a day and on weekends to meet residents' needs.

All of the facility's 206 beds are Medicare and Medicaid licensed and certified. Private and semi-private rooms are available. Applications are available in the admission coordinator's office and information is available by calling 892-3591.

In 1865 the Bay County Board of Supervisors purchased about 120 acres at Hampton, Knight and Arms roads in Hampton Township and erected a frame building for the use and care of the aged who had no meansof support.

In 1905 the old frame building burned and the Supervisors appropriated $25,000 for a three story brick building and farm buildings.

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Known as the Bay County "Poor Farm," and the County Infirmary, the facility included a 12-bed psychiatric ward in the 1930s and 1940s. Much of the food for use by "inmates," as they were called in those days, was produced on the farm.First managers of the Poor Farm were Albert and Ellen Trudell Barber, succeeded by their son, Wilford D. Barber in 1932.

Theodore DeWyse was administrator when a 103 bed modern facility for elderly and indigent sick persons was built in 1963. He was succeeded by Mr. Mahoney in 1979.

Other improvements made in 1996 included lighting, air conditioning, fire alarms, shower rooms and asbestos removal. Ground was broken Dec. 1, 2003 for the recent renovations.