‘We want to continue operating as Pete did’

“We want to continue the legacy created by Pete [Madel] and keep building,” says Marc Halpert, Chief Executive Officer of Monarch Healthcare Management, Inc. The corporation, based out of Mankato, owns 44 facilities across the state of Minnesota:  It took ownership of the two aspects of “Lakeshore Rehabilitation Center” as of July 15. The Waseca facility offers 42 beds for vulnerable adults: Its associated “assisted living” apartments have 18 units for more independent seniors.

Lakeshore, which has been available to area residents since 1960, was begun as a traditional “nursing home” by Pete Madel’s grandfather. His father, R. Pete Madel, Jr., was the facility’s administrator until 1997, when Madel took on the position. After a time, he also started a management company that helps with the operation of numerous southern Minnesota facilities, including Whispering Creek in Janesville.

Madel says he decided to pass ownership of Lakeshore to Monarch after researching the corporation and its practices.

“They have a reputation for treating their clients and their employees well,” he observes.“We’re not selling a product, we’re caring for vulnerable adults. Sometimes the ‘right’ thing to do may not seem like a sound business choice. Based on what I’ve learned, Monarch will do the right thing.

  “Covid really hurt nursing homes hard, and it seems the world has gone to bigger businesses being the ones which can survive.” Madel comments that, because care facilities must weather “peaks and valleys,” a larger company will be able to offer “more sustainable” service.

CEO Halpert mentions another advantage. “We have 137 employees who are able to move among our various locations. Where smaller facilities would have to outsource the services those folks offer, we’re able to access their skills across the network.”

Monarch has placed area resident Jenna Krassin at the helm. A 2016 graduate of Waseca High School, Krassin worked at Lakeshore for about four years as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) while attending high school and college. While pursuing her master’s degree, she acted as Madel’s assistant administrator for a time. She has also worked at other facilities managed by Monarch, including the 74-bed Hillcrest Rehabilitation Center in Mankato. 

Krassin admits that when she first began attending college, she did not see a job as a nursing home administrator in her future. But as time went on, “I missed the residents,” she says. “I missed greeting them as I arrived and saying goodbye as I went home.”

She says she also missed the caring staff members. “They have a willingness to help each other like no other group,” she says.

The combination of the residents and the workers together make her very glad to be back at the Waseca facility. “I like that I’m staying local and helping our clients to stay local as well. 

“Nobody wants to have to send their loved ones far away.”

Says Madel, “Jenna is a hard worker and real go-getter. She’s a strong communicator, which is very important in health care.”

With Monarch’s compassionate business practices and Krassin’s return to her “home,” Madel says things were in place for “a nice easy transition.” Krassin reveals that all Lakeshore Inn employees were retained when the changeover occurred.

Comments Halpert, “We want to continue operating as Pete did, with the family atmosphere and the genuine concern for our clients–with service and care as our fundamental values.

“We look forward to making ourselves a part of the Waseca community.”

Madel wants the residents of Waseca to know that he is proud that his family was able to offer such a vital service for so many years. “You trusted us with the care of your loved ones,” he says. “I want to extend a thank you to the community and to the staff at Lakeshore,” he says. “Your loyalty and your trust were a gift which did not go unnoticed.”