Photo Provided On hand to dedicate the Good Shepherd Nursing Home Therapy Gym were, front row from left, board members Louise Coulling, Beth Dimpfl, Ann Koegler, and Liz Gates; Donald Kirsch and his wife Barbara Kirsch, and Father Dennis Schuelkens, representing the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston; in the back row from left: Board members Larry Bandi, Penn Kurtz, Dave Wodesky, Randy Forzano; and Manager/Administrator Morgan Murphy.

The board of directors of the Welty Corporation has honored former CEO Donald R. Kirsch for his 45 years of service to the nonprofit. The board named the new therapy gym at Good Shepherd Nursing Home, a Welty Corporation property, in his honor.

In 2017, Kirsch spearheaded the addition of full-time physical, occupational and speech therapy programs, replacing the former part-time programs. The change in the frequency and intensity of therapy services improved outcomes for residents of Good Shepherd and Welty Home, the corporation’s assisted living property, and resulted in increased discharges to home.

Two years later Kirsch established an outpatient therapy program to treat residents who had been discharged but needed periodic therapy. This program allowed residents to receive treatment from the same therapists who had provided services during their stay at Good Shepherd.

“Providing as-needed therapy services after discharge has further improved the functional ability of former residents,” Kirsch said.

In 2023, Good Shepherd’s outpatient program was expanded to assist all residents of Wheeling and surrounding areas.

During a brief ceremony, Kirsch acknowledged the outstanding work of the Good Shepherd and Welty Home therapists. “This program is unique in the fact that Good Shepherd is one of only a few nursing facilities in the nation to offer outpatient therapy,” he said.

He praised the work of the staff who helped to create the program, including Sue Rexroad, director of nursing; Morgan Murphy, manager/administrator and former regulatory compliance officer; and Jessica Campbell, chief financial officer, for completing the arduous task of obtaining outpatient therapy certification from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

To learn more about Good Shepherd’s outpatient therapy program, or to schedule an appointment, contact 304-242-1093. Good Shepherd Nursing Home is part of a continuum of senior living options offered by the non-profit Welty Corporation to deliver the features that discerning seniors need and want. For information, call 304-242-1093 or visit www.weltyhome.org.