Monday, Jan. 26 saw the first regular DHHS/Oceana County Medical Care Facility (OCMCF) board meeting following the search for a new facility administrator. As such, minutes for the last regular board meeting, plus the additional 15 special board meetings associated with the application and interview process for the new hire, were reviewed.
Seven of those meetings' minutes did not require changes, but Board Chair Linda East requested minor changes to the remaining eight, and for the final meeting held Jan. 20 at 2 p.m., East requested that statements made during said meeting be included in the record. The requested statements reflected East’s opinion that no outside sources influenced her final choice of Sally Choponis as facility administrator and that she found the insinuation of such made earlier in the 2 p.m. meeting insulting.
Board member Dale Danes wished to make a similar change to the same final meeting minutes, requesting that the record reflect his full statement that he felt Choponis was an appropriate candidate during a previous administrator search three years ago.
After all the requested edits were made and approved by the board, the board went on to unanimously approve the total 16 meeting minutes.
The request for a replacement water heating boiler was also approved, following the failure of a unit in the OCMCF’s Alzheimer’s Unity. After the unit was inspected, the new EVS Director Daron Troyer, and Interim Administrator Linda Duchon, made the decision that replacing the boiler completely was more economical than making extensive repairs. The cost of a new Lochinvar Boiler and the installation was quoted at $11,550. The expense may increase if it is determined that roofing work will be needed should new vents be installed.
Despite the boiler failure, there was minimal disruption in bathing services at the Alzheimer’s Unit due to the backup plans implemented by the nursing director. The failed unit in question was from 2004, and board members agreed that the other boilers installed the same year should be inspected.
After reviewing the decision paper, the board voted to unanimously accept it.
The December 2025 financial report was also approved. Despite being over budget on many of the line items for that month, most of which are simply due to the facility's services expanding, the OCMCF ended the year with a positive balance of $725,984.
“So (it's the) first year for many years that we actually went in the green,” said Financial Controller Cindy Leone, “Took us a little bit to get out of the COVID times, but we finally did and we did it with flair.”
Choponis began as the OCMCF’s new administrator on Feb. 9, and the interim administrator will stay on to support Choponis for as long as necessary to get settled in the role, at her request.
The Oceana Echo reached out to Choponis to learn more about her administrative experience, work with the OCMCF and history in the nursing field.
“For more than 25 years, my husband, Jim, and our three children have called Oceana County home. My career began as an administrative assistant at Peterson Farms - then I ran my own business in Pentwater for several years.
"Obtaining my nursing degree in 2014 marked the beginning of my career at the Oceana County Medical Care Facility, where I have dedicated over a decade to nursing and steadily advanced into roles with broader administrative responsibilities, shaping my path as a leader within the organization. After obtaining my Administrator License, I trained as an Assistant Nursing Home Administrator at two SKLD Medical Care Facility locations, and had the opportunity to lead multiple teams, guiding them through complex challenges and experiencing day-to-day operations.
"When our middle child, Luke, was born with significant health challenges, our family was thrust into the heart of the healthcare system—a world filled with uncertainty and fear. Throughout this experience, we were fortunate to meet compassionate healthcare professionals who guided us, supported us through setbacks, and celebrated every milestone Luke achieved. This experience ignited a deep passion within me to help others facing similar challenges.
"Motivated by this calling, I pursued a career in nursing to serve vulnerable individuals and their families as they navigated the unknowns of healthcare. My dedication to making a difference led me to further my education, earning a Bachelor’s of Nursing and ultimately becoming a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with a desire to lead where my heart has been all these years, Oceana County Medical Care Facility.
"First, I bring a strong commitment to being a visible, listening leader. I believe deeply in building a supportive culture that prioritizes staff engagement, because when people feel appreciated and respected, it is evident in the care they provide. Happy, engaged staff leads to more meaningful and compassionate experiences for our residents.
"I also bring a balanced leadership approach – one that combines strategic thinking, operational excellence and genuine empathy. My goal is to ensure every resident feels truly at home and every team member feels valued. By honoring traditional values while embracing modern practices, I aim to create a community where aging is celebrated and where residents, families and staff feel connected and supported," Choponis shared.
