The Sheboygan County Rocky Knoll Health Care Center will welcome 20 members of the Wisconsin National Guard as part of the statewide rollout to aid area hospitals who continue to feel the pressure due to COVID-19. 

This news comes a month after Gov. Tony Evers announced a new initiative by the Wisconsin National Guard to bring much needed staffing support to Wisconsin’s hospitals and nursing homes by training Wisconsin National Guard members to work as certified nursing assistants.

“We thank Governor Evers and the National Guard for providing emergency staffing to our local health care system,” said County Administrator Adam Payne. “The National Guard support will help ensure that our community will have access to the care they need, increase our hospitals capacity, and take some pressure off of our hard-working health care workers” Payne said.

The 20 guard members are scheduled to arrive on February 21st and will serve as temporary nurse aides/certified nursing assistants within Rocky Knoll’s post-acute/rehabilitation and long-term care units for the next six to nine weeks. 

At present, Rocky Knoll and most nursing homes in the area are struggling to recruit and retain certified nursing assistants who are essential to providing good care for residents. As a result, nursing homes cannot accept as many residents, which puts more pressure on area hospitals, and makes it harder for families to select a nursing home of their choice. 

“We are very proud of Rocky Knoll’s track-record of providing five-star quality care for the community,” said Sheboygan County Board Chairman Vernon Koch. 

“This assistance reinforces our existing staff and provides hospitals some relief by opening up more beds for residents to remain in Sheboygan County for acute and post-acute care.”

“The Rocky Knoll staff have faithfully served the residents throughout this pandemic,” said Rocky Knoll Administrator Kayla Clinton. 

“We are grateful for this emergency action and collaborative effort to address staffing shortages, increase hospital capacity, and ultimately provide the best of care to those we are privileged to serve. We look forward to welcoming the Wisconsin National Guard team next week.”