Vetter Health Services, Inc.

Pros

• The Brookstone Village staff were courteous and always helpful, contributing to a positive rehab experience.
• Dignity is practiced everywhere at Sumner Place Skilled Nursing Center, with a smoothly functioning care team.
• Larry Van Kunnik, Sumner Place's CEO, is an exceptionally present leader who greets residents by name and even sings to them.
• Sumner Place provides high-quality therapy services all week and follows through on what they say they will do.
• The Sumner Place staff feel like family and create a caring, uplifting environment for residents.
• Vetter Health Services facilities are praised for dignified, loving care and a positive culture across centers.

Cons

• Brookstone Acres is described as being run by bullying and discrimination toward disabled employees.
• The Brookstone Acres administrator told an employee she was not there to help the residents.
• The reviewer would not place their elders at Brookstone Acres.
• The administrator is criticized for not understanding that residents are the reason for the job.
• Vetter Health Services switching to a non-profit status and circumventing local taxes is seen as an insult to the local community.
• Vetter Health Services turning its back on a local family-owned pharmacy in favor of Senior Care Pharmacy erodes the "family feel" of the community.
• A former employee claims the company is extremely non-diverse and notes nepotism, and that they were let go at the start of the pandemic, costing health coverage.

Review

Caregiving in elder and rehabilitation facilities often hinges on the tone set by leadership, the everyday kindness shown by staff, and how closely the mission to serve residents is lived out in daily practice. A collection of experiences from several locations reveals a wide spectrum of outcomes, from harsh, dismissive behavior toward staff to moments of genuine care and dignity that leave a lasting impression on residents and their families. Taken together, they paint a picture of how important leadership and culture are to the quality of care, and how fragile that balance can be when it's not actively nurtured.

At Brookstone Acres in Columbus, one review highlights a troubling reality: an administrator allegedly told a staff member that she was not there to help the residents, a remark that suggests a disconnect between staff support and resident-centered service. The reviewer emphasizes that residents are the reason for the job, implying that such a stance from leadership undermines the core purpose of the facility. The negative impression is framed as a reflection of the facility's culture, raising concerns about how staff morale and patient care may be affected when leadership does not align with the fundamental duty to serve residents.

In contrast, Brookstone Village in Omaha offers a very different narrative. The reviewer spent two weeks there for rehabilitation after a total knee replacement and praises the overall experience. They describe the staff - nurses, CNAs, therapists, and other associates - as courteous and consistently helpful. The teamwork and daily efforts are praised for helping the reviewer recover and regain the benefits of their knee. The only caveat they mention is a personal preference regarding the bed, noting four stars rather than five due to bed discomfort, but they still speak highly of the caregiving environment. This entry underscores how a facility can deliver excellent resident care through coordinated teamwork and attentive personnel.

Moving to Vetter Health Services, the collection presents a more mixed and opinionated view. One reviewer voices a strong critique of the company's transition from nonprofit status and the alleged circumvention of local taxes, labeling the shift as an insult to the local community. The same reviewer laments the company's decision to align with Senior Care Pharmacy over a local family-owned pharmacy, suggesting a loss of the "family feel" that once characterized their facilities. The sentiment here is that corporate choices and financial strategies can corrode local relationships and the sense of community that staff and families value.

Another perspective within the Vetter framework comes from an employee who spent nearly five years with the company. This review is pointedly negative: the environment is described as extremely non-diverse, and the reviewer recounts being let go at the outset of a global pandemic as their health coverage was crucial, with no "get well" note or gesture. They mention nepotism and a lack of consideration for employee well-being, framing the experience as an opportunity to illustrate systemic flaws in how the organization treats its people. The reviewer closes with a realism many readers will recognize: "Your mileage may vary," acknowledging that experiences can differ by location, role, and leadership.

Yet not all stories of Vetter Health Services are critical. Sumner Place Skilled Nursing Center in Lincoln is portrayed as a crowning example of company values, with the reviewer praising how dignity is practiced everywhere, from top leadership to the daily routines of care. The facility is described as smooth, well-coordinated, and driven by a team that genuinely loves their work. The reviewer singles out a prominent figure, Mr. Larry Van Kunnik, the CEO, who is seen as deeply engaged with residents: greeting people by name, moving residents back to their rooms from the dining hall, even assisting with feeding. His visible presence - singing to residents with hymns like "How Great Thou Art" and "In the Garden" - is depicted as a catalyst for a warm, compassionate atmosphere. The daughter of a resident, Katie, is highlighted as a 36-year-old in a minimally conscious state 22 months after a traumatic brain injury, and the CEO's daily interactions with her bring a deep sense of humanity and joy to the care environment. The staff's commitment to high-quality therapy and consistent follow-through are emphasized as key strengths, and readers are encouraged to consider a Vetter facility if they want care delivered with dignity and love.

In the same vein as the Sumner Place narrative, another comment from a different part of the organization offers a crisp, affirming verdict: this is "by far the best place I have ever worked," with colleagues and leadership who truly care about both staff and residents across the organization's 31 communities. The sentiment here reflects a workplace culture where teamwork, leadership presence, and a shared commitment to resident well-being are not just theoretical ideals but everyday practice that sustains morale and quality of care.

Taken together, these reviews lay bare a landscape of care that is highly dependent on leadership, local culture, and the day-to-day interactions between staff, residents, and families. When administrators and leaders model respect for residents and empower staff to put residents first, the resulting care can be marked by warmth, dignity, and seamless teamwork. Conversely, when leadership signals indifference or prioritizes other concerns over the lived experience of residents and front-line staff, tensions rise, trust erodes, and staff morale can suffer, with residents and their families bearing the consequences. The stories underscore a universal truth in long-term care: the strength of a facility rests on the quality of its people and the integrity of its leadership, and the most meaningful care emerges where dignity, compassion, and consistent action intersect on a daily basis.

This part of Omaha, Nebraska offers a convenient and well-rounded community for senior living. With various healthcare providers nearby such as physicians, clinics, and pharmacies, seniors can easily access medical care. There are also several dining options ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants, providing plenty of choices for meals. Additionally, the proximity to parks like Zorinsky Lake Park and Chalco Hills Recreation Area allows seniors to enjoy outdoor activities and stay active. The presence of hospitals like Boys Town National Research Hospital and Methodist Hospital ensures that quality healthcare services are readily available in case of emergencies. Overall, this area provides a blend of healthcare services, dining options, recreational opportunities, and access to medical facilities that would cater well to seniors looking for a comfortable living environment.

Physicians

• Nicole Ascanio, MD: aspireMD (0.2 miles)
• Heartland Sleep Clinic (0.7 miles)
• Nebraska Medicine (1.3 miles)
• Primary Care Physicians (1.8 miles)
• Omaha Orthopedic Clinic & Sports Medicine PC (1.9 miles)
• Amard ""AJ"" Abcejo, DO (2.7 miles)
• Children's Physicians (2.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Hardee's (0.6 miles)
• Local Beer, Patio, and Kitchen - Millard (1.3 miles)
• Market Grille (1.8 miles)
• Report In Pub (1.9 miles)
• Summer Kitchen Cafe & Bakery (2 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2.2 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• Sapp Bros (3.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Kohll's Pharmacy & Homecare (0.8 miles)
• Kohll's Rx (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Stonybrook Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)

Parks

• One Pacific Place Park (3.2 miles)
• Zorinsky Lake Park (3.4 miles)
• Chalco Hills Recreation Area (3.9 miles)
• Mission Park (4.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Boys Town National Research Hospital (3.5 miles)
• Omaha Surgical Center (3.6 miles)
• Methodist Hospital 6 South (4.6 miles)