Celebrating Our 20 Years In Business
 
 
 
Wanda Kolb
Owner, Administrator
Diane Tiberg
Owner, Director of Nursing

 
“We have made a positive impact on the people we serve. By this I mean not only our clients,” says Wanda Kolb, “but also their families, our referral sources and our employees. I love my association with our staff. The people who work for this agency have an excellent work ethic and a commitment to quality.” Diane Tiberg adds, ”These 20 years have flown by and have truly been a labor of love. We are so fortunate to have a dedicated staff who stay with us, take pride in their work, and feel ownership in the company. While the service we provide to the community is so vital, we all get back as much as we give!”
 
  '89
   
 
  • Keweenaw Home Nursing is incorporated. The company is owned and operated by Wanda Kolb and Diane Tiberg.
  • The home health agency is opened. The office is located at the residence of Diane Tiberg in Calumet.
  • A private duty agency is opened: Keweenaw Home Services.
  • The agency is certified by Medicare to provide skilled nursing and home care aide services.
  • Physical Therapy is added by year end.
  • The agency received 100 referrals in it’s first year of operation.
  • 8 employees by year end.
  '90
   
 
  • A building is purchased in Laurium to house the now 10 employees. KHN occupies ½ of the building or 1000 square feet.
  • 234 referrals are received.
  '91
   
 
  • 352 referrals are received in 1991.
  • Speech therapy is added to the list of disciplines.
  • The total number of employees is now 28
  • The entire office building is now occupied following renovations.
  '92
   
 
  • 485 referrals are received.
  • A new discipline, social work, is added.
  • The agency now employs 44 persons.
  '93
   
 
  • A certified hospice program is initiated in October. This is the only certified hospice program in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. 8 hospice patients were cared for in our first year.
  • Occupational therapy was added.
  • 562 referrals were made to KHN.
  • 54 employees.
  • Expansion to Baraga.
  '94
   
 
  • KHNH received CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Program) accreditation.
  • 644 referrals were received.
  • 39 hospice patients were care for.
  • 65 persons are now employed.
  • A Speaker’s Bureau was added.
  • KHNH offers bereavement care to the community through lunches and support gatherings
  '95
   
 
  • 604 referrals were received.
  • 65 hospice patients were cared for.
  • KHN now employees 83 persons.
  • A full time Speech Therapist was hired.
  '96
   
 
  • KHNH moves to a newly renovated office in Calumet. 8,000 square feet of developed space with 3,200 feet of undeveloped space are utilized.
  • 97 persons are now employed by the agency.
  • 669 referrals were accepted.
  • The hospice program cared for 57 patients.
  • The utilization of Outcome Assessment Information Set (OASIS)
  • KHNH develops agency ethics committee.
  • Nursing CEU’s offered through KHNH education department.
  • KHNH hosts Alzheimer’s Support Group.
  '97
   
 
  • KHNH employed over 100 persons and has 70 volunteers in 1997.
  • KHNH is forced to make staff reductions in order to compensate for the dramatic reimbursement changes brought about by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. FTE’s are reduced by 13.1.
  • 626 clients served.
  • Renewed CHAP accreditation with 7 commendations.
  • Wanda Kolb Certified Home Hospice Care Executive.
  • Community Coalition on Grief and Bereavement.
  '98
   
 
  • The Interim Payment System is in full swing making huge changes for home care. KHNH budget reduced by 35%. Agencies around the country are closing. KHNH continues to make changes to compensate for reduced revenue.
  • Blood monitoring is eliminated by Medicare.
  • 607 clients served.
  • Corporate Compliance Plan initiated.
  • FTE reduction now at 16.95. A total of 23 people lay off.
  • KHNH starts Parkinson’s support group as requested by the community.
  • Diane Tiberg Certified Home Hospice Care Executive.
  • 92 hospice patients cared for.
  • First retiree - Mary Normand retires.
  '99
   
 
  • 609 referrals.
  • KHNH works to become Y2K ready.
  • 92 hospice patients served.
  • KHNH celebrates 10 year anniversary
  • KHNH is active partner in community coalition to start local hospice house - OMEGA house.
  • Hospice care teaching booklet developed
  2000
   
 
  • 537 referrals.
  • Renewed CHAP accreditation with 22 commendations.
  • Successful transition to PPS.
  • On the Way Home published - a social documentary project about hospice patients opens at the Suomi Heritage Center gallery.
  • 3 KHNH nurses receive Master’s degree in advanced nursing practice.
  '01
   
 
  • KHNH one of 450 agencies in 5 states participating in Outcome Based quality Assurance pilot project.
  • “Celebrate Success” Party
  • 5 nurses certified in hospice care.
  • 627 referrals
  • Over 100 served in hospice program
  • 100% of physicians surveyed are satisfied with the quality of care and overall performance of staff.
  '02
   
 
  • KHNH admits 4000th patient.
  • HIPAA privacy standards enacted.
  • 98% of patients rate care as good or excellent.
  • 642 referrals.
  • 6 home care aides certified in first national test for hospice certification.
  • 2 additional nurses certified in hospice care.
  '03
   
 
  • KHNH premiere’s new Web site: keweenawhomenursing.com.
  • 676 patients referred to home care and hospice.
  • 116 hospice patients cared for in 2003.
  • Wanda Kolb elected to Michigan Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Governing Board.
  '04
   
 
  • KHNH celebrates 15 years of exceptional care in the heart of the Keweenaw.
  • KHNH now has 65 employees and 40 volunteers.
  • December - Six more staff members become certified in hospice
    and palliative care
  '05
   
 
  • Received the Michigan Award of Excellence from the Michigan Peer
    Review Organization for improving care in the home care setting
  • Laptop Comupters were introduced to the nursing staff
  • Hospice volunteer Bill Sewell received national recognition - named
    volunteer of the year by the National Hospice and Palliative Care
    Organization
  • Jean Laurie Staff Nurse received state recognition - named as the
    Hospice Dream Team Volunteer Coordinator of the year by the Michigan
    Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
  • Ray Weglarz joined with other state representatives in the VA
    partnership, a collaborative effort to improve care to Veterans
  '06
   
 
  • The Veteran's Program was introduced to the community
  • Ray Weglarz received State recognition award - he was named Hospice
    Clinical Supervisor of the Year by the Michigan Hospice and
    Palliative Care Organization
  • Began monthly MS Support Group as a result of community request
  • Received the Michigan Peer Review Award of Excellence for exceptional
    quality improvement activities
  '07
   
 
  • Hospice Certified Staff now totals 21
  • Debbie Gagnon received state recognition award - she was named as the
    Hospice Dream Team Home Care Aide of the Year
  • Colin Munn Physcial Therapist became certified in the treatment
    Parkinsons Disease
  • Cindy Griffin Clinical BSN and Jean Makinen RN, achieved the title of
    Wound Care Certified through the National Alliance of Wound Care