‘Changes’ coming with transformation of former hospital

Changes will soon be coming to the Fulton Community.

By Summer’s end, according to Program Director Shirley Jankowski, those changes will have an impact on the local economy through the creation of jobs, but more importantly, will have an impact on the people served by Changes Rehabilitation, the facility locating in the former Parkway Regional Hospital on Holiday Lane in Fulton.

During an interview Tuesday, and a walkthrough of the former hospital which will now be utilized to treat “people in crisis” Jankowski said a key factor in Changes Rehabilitation choosing the Fulton location was the “kindness in people.”

“It’s a beautiful campus. Eventually we plan to made additions to the pond area, to be able to have a fire pit. We have already started to clean up the inner courtyard. I really believe this is going to be a win-win for all of us,” she said, as she explained the repurposing of each area of the hospital, to be used for the rehab facility.

There will be 12 Detox beds, as well 60 residential beds, with male and female wings kept separately for dining and activities. Craft rooms, a music room, library, a room furnished with theater-styled chairs and large screens for movie viewing, work out room with exercise equipment and laundry facilities will be housed in what was once a lab, nurses’ station, waiting rooms, and admissions.

Long range plans also include a room especially for the female residents, a salon type setting which could also include donated articles of clothing, along with cosmetics, hair and beauty supply products.

A number of single and double occupancy residents’ rooms have received make-overs from stark hospital room decor, now with rich dark wood sleigh beds and chests, freshly painted in warm colors tones.

The length of stay for residents will be 29 days, and case workers will be assigned upon each resident’s admission, through follow-up and after care once they are dismissed.

So far, a Clinical Director has been hired, a staff Doctor, a Director of Nursing, Maintenance and Security staff. Nurses will be hired, as well as the case workers and other staff positions.

Volunteers will be needed as well.

“There are some highly qualified, amazing people in this area, and I have been thrilled to have been able to connect with some of them who have already been hired,” Jankowski said.

More staff will be hired, she said, as the residential and detox numbers increase to full capacity, with a job fair scheduled for March 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fulton’s Pontotoc Community Building.

Jankowski, herself, was the creator of Changes Rehabilitation, with the financial backing of Dr. Robert Baker, a 75-year-old practicing Dentist in Michigan.

She has been involved with the start up of numerous health care related businesses, including skilled nursing, home health and assisted living facilities.

While she uses the title of Program Director, on her business cards, Phd, MBA, NHA and CDP follow her name, and she prides herself on being a “hands on” leader, and “lover of learning” as she becomes trained and certified in all job duties with this, and other businesses she has seen thrive.

Her husband, John is the estates director for Changes Rehabilitation, and they have three adult children.

While Jankowski arrived at the facility in Fulton by way of Michigan, she is a native “Kentucky girl”, albeit from the opposite end of the Commonwealth, Eastern Kentucky’s Prestonsburg.