VETERANS HOME ADMINISTRATOR RESIGNS

Terry Ford, Cape Girardeau Veterans Home administrator, has resigned his position effective today.

He began his duties Dec. 1989 as the home was being constructed at Highway 61 and Interstate 55. His letter of resignation simply stated he was leaving the position "to pursue other career options," according to the Missouri Veterans Commission.

Acting superintendent of veterans homes for the commission, Teresa Russell, said Thursday Ford's resignation was not at the request of the commission and that it was unexpected.

Ford could not be reached for comment at his Cape Girardeau home.

"The director of nursing is the interim director of the Cape Girardeau home. That is Maria Thompson of Scott City," Russell said. "We are hoping to have a permanent director in early July."

The position opening is through the state merit system. Qualifications are based on education and experience. Russell and commission executive director Robert Buckner will conduct interviews among the finalists for the slot. She said the salary range is between $30,000 and $40,000.

According to the commission's help wanted ad, applicants with a masters degree and four years management experience in the healthcare field are preferred.

Russell said most home administrators normally remain at a particular home three to eight years.

Ford, 34, came to the local 150 bed facility after heading a private nursing home at Mt. Vernon. Prior to that, he worked five years as social services director with the Mt. Vernon Veterans Home. He and his wife Elaine have two children.

The Veterans Home was completed last year on a 21-acre site donated by Cape Girardeau County. The project was funded with $3.2 million in state funds and $5.8 million in federal Veterans Administration funds.