Smith speaks to local Lions Club

Debbie Smith, who just completed her first year as administrator of Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation in Rector, had only words of praise for the facility in a recent talk to the Rector Lions Club.

"You have got a wonderful facility in your town," she said. "And this is the most wonderful staff I've ever had. They are all very respectful and caring."

Smith said she is excited that Cooper Management Corporation of Melbourne recently took over operation of the facility.

"I know them well, and they are very reputable. Their priority -- the utmost thing to them -- is taking care of the residents."

Smith noted that, at Evergreen, the residents "become family."

"This is a very close bunch," she said. "The care of the residents is the utmost to us."

The 70-bed facility is near full capacity with 68 residents. There are 75 to 80 on staff. "We have a lot of fun," Smith said.

Cooper Management Corporation operates several other nursing home facilities in Arkansas and is in the process of building a new 84-bed facility in Corning.

Smith came to Rector from Mountain Home, where she worked for 10 years. She grew up in Senath, Mo.