New Administrator: Merle Taylor was a Christmas eve baby

The holidays mean another birthday for a great lady, Merle Taylor, who two weeks ago was named the new administrator at the Du Quoin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at the corner of East Jackson and South Madison Streets in Du Quoin.

She's 53 and will celebrate her next birthday on Christmas eve. "I was a Christmas eve baby," she smiles. "I missed being born on Christmas by 15 minutes," she beams.

She resides in Ava. Murphysboro was her stomping grounds for much of her healthcare career as assistant administrator, then administrator of the Jackson County Nursing Home. When it closed in October 2014 she signed on with the Shawnee Christian Home in Herrin.

She got a call from RDK Development manager Scott Stout who invited her to take a look at the million and a half dollar renovation of what was formerly the Fair Acres Nursing Home.

Wow!

"Are you ready for a change?" he asked me.

Two weeks into her new role here as administrator it seems to be a good fit.

She's down-to-earth and very caring. She understands the concerns and frustrations families face trying to meet the needs of their loved ones--all precious cargo in uncertain times.

"Here's what I tell families. Have you seen us lately?" If you haven't, you need to.

"What I am seeing is residents who are excited about their surroundings," she said.

"Resident care comes first."

That's the very same thing Scott Stout said when the newspaper toured the 70-bed care center two weeks ago. Everything first class and people who know their job well..

Long term care is only part of the Du Quoin Nursing & Rehabilitation mission. The center also provides short term care for family members and caregivers who simply need a break. It also provides a very comprehensive program of rehabilitation with the goal of getting your loved one back home. "It is very important that we try to send people back home or to assisted living," she said.

Merle and husband Virgil have been married for 34 years. They have two children, a daughter Madison and a son, Aaron.