WEST HARTFORD, CT – December 6, 2017 – The Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation capped off a busy November with an open house to celebrate several of the center’s recent accomplishments. In early November, the center received its first ever 5 Star rating from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. On November 21, the center became HKC Certified by the Hartford Kashrut Commission, a certification ensuring the vast majority of the Jewish population in the area to dine in their center. Finally, on November 29, the center held an open house to commemorate these two feats, as well as the launch of the center’s new, signature post-hospital care program, known as the Passport Rehabilitation Program.

Penni Martin, the administrator of the Hebrew Center since May, along with West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, welcomed the crowd of more than 100 by stating that she was “thrilled to announce our 5 Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This designation is a very prestigious recognition of the commitment to our staff makes to proving quality care and customer service to our patients and residents each day.” The rating culminates a year-long effort to enhance the quality of care and services at the Hebrew Center by its new operator, National Health Care Associates (NHCA). In addition to Mrs. Martin, a new Director of Nursing and other key leaders have been an integral part of this achievement.

A five-star designation is the highest rating possible that a skilled nursing center can receive. The ratings are calculated from state survey results, quality measures and staffing levels, which are each assigned a score. A point value or star is provided for each of these categories and the scores are combined to calculate an overall star rating.

Furthermore, Mrs. Martin addressed the countless hours the staff had worked to attain the HKC certification. “Effective Tuesday, November 21, 2017, Hebrew Center for Health & Rehabilitation has earned the privilege to call ourselves HKC Certified Kosher by the Hartford Kashrut Commission. Whereas before our center was certified by our Rabbi, now our entire Jewish community certifies it as Kosher.”

Mayor Cantor read a proclamation from the West Hartford town council noting the HKC certification “means they meet the strictest of Kosher standards for their population to ensure that everyone is able to eat from the Hebrew Center kitchen, their cafe and catered events, such as tonight’s.”

Rabbi Daniel Braune-Friedman, Director, Pastoral Services for the Hebrew Center notes “This certification also means that we seal our bond with all other Jewish institutions. It means we are dedicated to excellence and take no shortcuts to assuring the best for our elders.”

In addition, Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation was recently “Passport Rehabilitation Certified” by NHCA, their manager/operator. The Passport Rehabilitation Program provides enhanced staff training on the unique needs and care practices of short-term patients in a skilled nursing setting.

The National Health Care Passport Rehabilitation program, now available at Hebrew Center in West Hartford, is individualized and goal-oriented, specifically designed for individuals looking for a short-term, specialized rehabilitation “journey” home following surgery, hospitalization or an acute medical episode. From the start of a patient’s trip with the center, their specially trained and selected team will help patients reach their destination by mapping out a unique treatment plan with short- and long-term goals that focus on exactly what the individual needs to optimize their recovery and return home.