Tracy's Story

On October 8, 2025, my dad ******* was admitted to ******** (a) Rehab and Nursing Center here in Richmond VA, for physical therapy. It was supposed to be a two-week therapy, our visits were good and the nurses knew who we were. However, On October 13th at 2:00 AM we received a call saying my dad was going to the hospital for vomiting. Up until then we never received any calls. upon arriving at the emergency room, we were told no one had arrived yet, which I thought was strange because **** it was right around the corner. I decided to call ***** (the facilty) about the situation
At that moment, his nurse stated, “Mr. ***** had a heart attack and didn’t make it.” No feeling, no sympathy, just a cold statement. At that moment, I had the hard job of telling my mother, who screamed so loud that people came running from the back of the hospital. The hospital went and got the clergy, so I consoled my mother. My mother and I were left in shock, and as the days passed, I was suspicious of the circumstances around what happened. I called ***** (the facility) and requested a meeting with the administrator and director of nursing. I was very careful not to let them know that I was a nursing assistant and that I knew all their nursing lingo. During the meeting, they proceeded to say that my dad started vomiting earlier that day, However, we did not receive a phone call. They went on to say that he had projectile vomiting, that is how he ended up on the floor. as they answered my questions, I was convinced that something wasn’t right. As my mother and I left the building, I immediately started seeking legal counsel, requesting records, as well as the ambulance report.
According to the ambulance report, when they arrived, they found my dad face down on the floor in his room covered in stool on his chest. The EMT performed CPR but could not save him. According to the nurse’s notes, my dad had vomited foul stool several times and complained to the nurses about stomach pain. We received no phone calls. During the investigation by Virginia Department of Health, it was found that the nurses stated they did not do an assessment because my dad was still able to talk and that he looked fine to them. Virginia Department of Health failed to recommend a monetary fine against ***** the Rehab and Nursing Center, instead they were given a five-day plan of correction relating to other residents, not my dad. I reached out to The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services about this decision, and was sent a letter from **** ( a rep for) CMS Certificate and Enforcement stating that a monetary penalty was not recommended because **** (the facility's) surveys were in good standing in previous years. In her letter, **** (she) stated that on September 23rd, 2016, now more stringent policies were made to the state operations manual, chapter seven survey and enforcement process for skilled nursing facilities regarding the criteria, for no opportunity to correct if harm is proven. My response to this was “Too little, too late. It was found that five days later, after my dad passed, ***** (the facility) was still changing his records this was reported to me from the inspectors and when asked **** (the facility) about it they could not offer an exclamation.
Out of this tragedy I Cofounded Justice and Change for Victims of Nursing Facilities Organization. I wanted to make sure that other families would not have to suffer. We support families as they navigate the journey of having a loved one in a nursing facility through Education, Advocacy and Resources. We provide families the tools to understand their rights, ask the right questions and feel empowered when dealing with the nursing home industry We also advocate for systemic change and accountability within our government. It is heartbreaking to see that families are still suffering. It is my sincere prayer that out of this tragedy, one day we will see where nursing facility residents are valued and not just put away and treated like they are nothing.



Family upset after man vomited stool but 911 wasn’t called for hours