County Officials Address Concerns Surrounding Wicomico Nursing Home
SALISBURY, Md. — After weeks of concerns surrounding the Wicomico Nursing Home, county officials and community members gathered in the Wicomico County Council chambers to discuss the facility and recent emergency legislation introduced by the council.
Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano addressed the legislation, saying she supports oversight and accountability but believes the county must operate within the limits of its charter.
“First, let me be clear. Oversight is appropriate. Accountability is appropriate, but we must operate within the charter,” Giordano said. “This legislation does not simply create an advisory commission, which is the only part of the bill that this administration agrees with.”
Giordano also defended the current leadership at the nursing home, saying the quality of care for residents and the cleanliness of the facility have remained strong since Tina Foskey became administrator.
She also addressed concerns about employee terminations.
“Since Tina has become administrator, three — I’m going to say that again, three — employees have been terminated. Not seven, not 15, not 23. Three people have been terminated,” Giordano said. “And each one of those terminations was made for cause.”
While county officials and community members discussed the nursing home inside the council chambers, others gathered outside the facility to protest.
Maryland Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, who attended the protest, said she is concerned about the possibility of retaliation but believes it is important to speak out, particularly when it involves her mother.
“Absolutely. Under this administrator, the current director, I don’t want any retaliation. None whatsoever. I’m praying that it will never happen,” Sample-Hughes said. “But, I mean, if I don’t speak up, I already speak up for the people as a whole. But if I don’t speak out for my mother and be of assistance to try to make things better, then I wouldn’t exist. I mean, like what? What would be my purpose?”
Sample-Hughes also shared her assessment of the quality of care at the facility, saying she has noticed changes, particularly during evening hours.
“Let’s talk about the quality of care and I’ll be honest with you. It has been a concern, especially in the evening hours. It’s kind of like a ghost town,” Sample-Hughes said.
The concerns come as county officials and community members continue to debate the future of the Wicomico Nursing Home and what level of oversight should be in place.
