Meet Blair Kempcke, the RN/MDS Coordinator at Brookestone Meadows (brookestonemeadows.com).

Tell us a little about your business. – At Brookstone Meadows I complete the MDS assessment and resident care plans. Assess and evaluate the quality of care being given to long-term care residents. Direct the care plan meeting with the IDT, resident and their families. Follow the progression of any therapy given and ensure that goals are being met.

How did you get started in the business? – I was kind of got thrown into it; back in 2010 my old facility had a mass exiting of staff and they urgently needed an MDS Coordinator. I jumped in, knowing basically nothing about MDS, and taught myself through long hours of reading the RAI Manual and calling different resources. I fell absolutely in love with it and have been doing it ever since.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I would say staffing challenges. Even though I mainly complete MDS, being in a management position, we are always faced with helping on the floor and getting pulled from our jobs due to resident care being the number one priority.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Becoming RAC certified and ICD 10 certified. Also, ensuring the residents are getting the best quality of care and the facilities are getting reimbursed for what they provide.

Tell us a little about your family. – I have three children; my daughter Kyler who is 12 years old, my son Kayvion who is 17 years old, and my oldest daughter Keyanna who is 24 years old, who also happens to have my adorable grandson, Kasiah, who is 3 years old. I have a very tight knit family and we do everything together, including my kids, my father, my sister and nephew. We love attending the kids sports events and getting outdoors whether that’s is hiking, kayaking, going to concerts and museums, etc.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Losing my own mother at the very young age of 13 and then becoming a mother at a young age, I was a senior in High school; I was not heading in the right path and knowing I was going to become a mother made me completely change my goals and outlook on life. It helped push and motivate me to finish high school and go to college for a better life for her and I.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Enjoy the outdoors-hiking, kayaking, walking in the parks. Also, shopping, going to concerts and museums.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I am a young grandmother at the age of 41 years old, though I prefer to go by “Gigi”.

Who inspires you? – My close group of girlfriends and my sister; they are all independent, successful women who are amazing mothers and care for all humans with open minds.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Friendship Home, for domestic violence. I was a victim of domestic violence myself so I can relate to what they are going through.

What is your favorite local Omaha restaurant? – J. Gilbert’s.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Bkempcke@vhsmail.com