Providing high-quality care to seniors in America’s heartland is at the core of Good Samaritan’s mission. For more than 100 years, the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of senior care and services has been dedicated to serving seniors, with over 70% of its residents living in rural communities.
As part of Sanford Health’s integrated health system, Good Samaritan is uniquely positioned to provide person-centered care that spans across every care setting and beyond – from the hospital to long-term care centers to home.
“At Good Samaritan, providing high-quality care is at the core of who we are and the commitment we have made to live out our mission: to care, comfort and cure,” said Nate Schema, Good Samaritan president and CEO.
“Through care coordination and investments in the health and well-being of communities across America’s heartland, we are finding new and better ways to meet the comprehensive needs of seniors. We remain focused on continuously improving the quality of care and experience of every resident we serve. It is our highest calling and our greatest honor.”
These commitments are detailed in Good Samaritan’s 2024 Quality Report, which highlights the organization’s progress over the past year. From expanding access and improving safety to strengthening its workforce and deepening community engagement, Good Samaritan continues to put its residents, people and communities first.
In 2024, Good Samaritan had four active Silver – Achievement in Quality and 42 active Bronze – Commitment to Quality award recipients through the American Health Care and National Center for Assisted living (AHCA/NCAL) National Quality Award Program. The prestigious award program recognizes organizations that meet progressively rigorous standards of performance to further improve the lives of residents and staff in long-term care.
Expanding access
- In early 2024, Sanford Health announced plans to develop a full continuum of care senior living community in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, called Good Samaritan Society – Founder’s Crossing. The leading-edge campus will expand access to high-quality care close to home.
- In August, Good Samaritan announced the addition of senior services in Rapid City, South Dakota, with Unity Place at Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village. It includes 22 assisted living units and 10 memory care assisted living units. With the full spectrum of senior services offered, campus residents have priority access to higher levels of care when they need it.
Improving safety
- Sanford Accountability For Excellence (SAFE) is Sanford Health’s high-reliability initiative that focuses on implementing solutions to challenges in four key areas: clinical quality, patient and resident safety, employee engagement and clinician well-being. SAFE has empowered teams to speak up, raise their concerns and understand the positive impact of their actions.
- As of November 2024, Good Samaritan had surpassed the national benchmark for influenza, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines. Influenza vaccination rates remained the highest in December, peaking at 79.34%.
Strengthening workforce
- In 2024, Good Samaritan’s retention rate rose overall by 2% — from 75% at the end of 2023 to 77% at the end of 2024.
- In 2024, 10 people participated in Good Samaritan’s Administrator in Training program – eight of whom are now in a permanent administrator role, serving as an interim administrator or completing the program.
- Good Samaritan is proud to recognize its dedicated employees through programs like the Ever Forward Champion Awards and DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nurses. Ever Forward is how Good Samaritan annually celebrates employees who demonstrate the organization’s mission, vision and values. DAISY Awards celebrate and recognize nurses who personify the mission-driven values of Good Samaritan – demonstrating excellence through clinical expertise and compassionate care.
Engaging community
- The Good Samaritan Culinary Project began in 2024 to foster a culturally informed environment for residents. Staff at three skilled nursing facilities in Loveland, Colorado, Sioux Falls and Rapid City, South Dakota, prepared various global dishes for residents, as well as educational material about the culture related to the dish.
- Since 1978, Good Samaritan has been the sponsor of Senior Companions of South Dakota – a program which encourages low-income, healthy volunteers the opportunity to provide companionship and in-home assistance to those who need help to live independently.
- Good Samaritan was featured in “People Worth Caring About,” a long-term care workforce docuseries featuring seven Nebraska nursing homes and assisted living communities. Good Samaritan’s episode highlights the senior care provider’s Auburn, Nebraska, location and expresses the importance of engaging with the community and exposing students to a career in long-term care.
For more information about Good Samaritan, visit good-sam.com.
Learn more
- How to thrive in long-term care
- Leaders advocate for quality senior care with U.S. Congress
- Sanford report details pledge to patients, communities
…
Posted In Community, Company News, Here for all. Here for good., Leadership in Health Care, News, Senior Services
