SALISBURY, Md. - Current and former employees, family members and volunteers are raising concerns about staffing, terminations and patient care at the county-owned Wicomico Nursing Home, while County Executive Julie Giordano says recent changes are necessary to modernize the facility and strengthen accountability.
The concerns were aired during this week’s Wicomico County Council meeting, where several people described what they called a significant change in workplace culture since Tina Foskey became the nursing home’s director April 9.
Chris Windsor, who said she was terminated last week after working at the nursing home for 12 and a half years, described the facility as a “toxic, hostile work environment” under its new leadership. She also alleged staffing shortages are affecting patient care and said some financial and clinical functions are being outsourced.
Current nurse Esther Thomas told the council that changes involving staffing and outsourcing could affect the relationships between employees and the people they care for.
“These are not simply operational changes,” Thomas said. “They affect real people, real families, and the quality and consistency of care.”
Family members and volunteers also described a decline in employee morale. Wendy Catlin, whose mother previously received care at the facility, said she has noticed fewer familiar employees and fewer smiles during recent visits.
County Council members said the testimony raised serious questions but acknowledged that the county charter limits their administrative authority over the nursing home.
“Something is very wrong at the Wicomico Nursing Home,” councilman Josh Hastings said. “In my eight years of being on the County Council, I don’t think I’ve ever heard comments that have been so poignant, so heartfelt and so direct.”
Another council member said the council has received conflicting accounts about conditions at the facility.
“I heard the words ‘toxic work environment’ more than once tonight,” council VP Jeff Merritt said. “We’re getting mixed messaging with the emails we’ve been getting the past couple weeks and what we heard tonight. There’s clearly a problem.”
Giordano defended Foskey in a statement to WBOC, saying the new director has worked to modernize the nursing home’s financial and personnel practices and ensure the facility complies with current standards.
Giordano said many of those processes should have been implemented years ago. She described Foskey’s work as an effort to bring greater accountability and professionalism to the organization.
“Change is never easy, particularly when it introduces greater accountability and higher expectations,” Giordano said. “If some employees choose to characterize that as a ‘toxic environment,’ then I would respectfully disagree. Accountability is not toxicity. It is a necessary component of operating a quality health care facility.”
Giordano also said Foskey has worked with the county’s Finance and Human Resources departments to strengthen operations. According to Giordano, Foskey identified areas where county support could help implement best practices and improve financial and personnel procedures.
She characterized that cooperation as a shared effort to improve accountability, regulatory compliance and patient care.
“We recognize that organizational change can be challenging, but we are extremely grateful for the time, effort and expertise Tina has dedicated to strengthening the nursing home,” Giordano said.
Giordano said the county’s priorities remain providing high-quality care while ensuring the facility is managed responsibly and transparently.
Council members have discussed possible steps including regular public updates, an annual audit and the creation of a community advisory board. One council member said the board could include health care professionals, community leaders, former family members and council representatives.
WBOC reached out to Wicomico Nursing Home seeking a response to the allegations but did not receive one.