Effingham, IL / Effingham Radio
Dec 13, 2020 8:26 AM
LaSalle, IL -(Mattoon Radio)-Â The Illinois Department of Veteransâ Affairs today announced that Acting Assistant Director Anthony Vaughn will serve as the interim Administrator of the LaSalle Veteransâ Home as a search begins for a permanent replacement. Vaughn is assuming responsibilities from former Home Administrator Angela Mehlbrech, who was terminated by the Department. Additionally, the Director of Nursing at the home has been placed on administrative leave pending the ongoing investigation.
These personnel changes follow the announcement of an independent investigation into the outbreak at the home led by the Acting Inspector General of the Illinois Department of Human Services. The response to the outbreak has also included site visits by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the U.S. Department of Veteransâ Affairs, with IDVA fully adopting all recommendations in both reports in the LaSalle Home
State officials made the call after an outbreak at the facility killed 32 residents. Author: Connor Day Updated: 10:28 PM CST December 9, 2020
LASALLE, Ill. State officials have fired the administrator of the LaSalle Veterans Home after an outbreak ravaged residents and staff.
On Monday, December 8, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs announced that aministrator Angela Melbrech would be fired and replaced in the interim by Acting Assistant Director Anthony Vaughn.
The firing comes after a severe COVID-19 outbreak struck the home, killing 32 residents and leaving 39 residents and 21 staff members infected.
Governor J.B. Pritzker commented on the incident, saying, The independent investigation into the actions of leadership and staff will continue, as will our work with the federal veterans administration experts to ensure that all of our veterans homes are fully in compliance with all required health and safety measures.