St Louis Veterans Home – Image Courtesy of Missouri Department of Public Safety
Missouri Veterans Commission Acting Executive Director Grace Link has recommended to the panel that the St. Louis Veterans Home administrator be fired. Colonel Link does not need the blessing of the commission to terminate Rolando Carter and says the news has been delivered to him.
Reports of inadequate care of residents prompted former commission executive director Larry Kay to put Carter on leave. Kay has since resigned.
Several investigations of the facility found no wrongdoing. Last month, Governor Eric Greitens, R, held a press conference there to release the findings of an independent investigation of the home. The analysis found malnutrition, bed sores, and medications not being given on time among the problems at the home.
Carter has until Jan. 22 to appeal the decision directly to Link.
Stan Smith has been named the interim head of the home and started on January 2.
Link says several changes are underway at the facility, including the addition of 36 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). She says filling those jobs covers about 90% of the overall CNA need. The home is still in search of several licensed practical nurses and registered nurses.