State hires new Veterans Home lead

ERIE COUNTY — The Ohio Department of Veterans Services recently welcomed Kaitlin Stokes as the new superintendent of the Ohio Veterans Homes, "authorizing an already-trusted leader of the department to take hold of this vital role," according to an organizational statement. The superintendent "has full oversight of two state-run facilities that provide round-the-clock comfort and person-centered care to hundreds of war-time veterans," the statement read, referencing: • The Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky is a 427-bed nursing home facility, making it the largest nursing home in Ohio. Two levels of care are offered: standard care for those veterans in need of any intermediate level of care and special care for veterans with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. The home opened in 1888 to care for veterans of the Civil War and has been in continuous operation since. The domiciliary offers necessary medical care to eligible veterans who need it but are capable of living independently. • The Ohio Veterans Home in Georgetown, near Cincinnati, offers 168 beds for nursing home care. Two levels of care are offered: standard care for veterans in need of any intermediate level of care and special care for veterans with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. It has served residents in Brown County since 2003. Bio blast Stokes represents the 33rd Ohio Veterans Home superintendent in history. She replaces Terry Holecek, who took the role in April 2024 and resigned earlier this year to pursue other opportunities. The first person assigned to the position was Gen. Manning Force, who headed up the Sandusky facility beginning on Oct. 10, 1888, when it was dubbed a Soldiers and Sailors Home. The state department's most prestigious in-house recognition is named after Force and was awarded to former superintendent Terry Prince in 2021. Stokes looks forward to this new opportunity. "I am honored to embrace this responsibility and continue our shared mission of serving Ohio's veterans with dignity and compassion," Stokes said. "Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and strengthen the sense of community that makes our Ohio Veterans Homes exceptional." The Ohio Department of Veterans Services director John Harris Jr. appointed Stokes as superintendent in late February. Previously, she served as the department's chief compliance officer, "a role that empowered her to contribute to policy and procedure development in support of consistent care practices and continuous improvement across the system," the statement read. "Additionally, she helped modernize resident-facing communications and admissions materials, ensuring clarity, due process and timely support for veterans and families navigating placement. "As our chief compliance officer, Kaitlin championed quality, safety and accountability across all operations," Harris said. "Her leadership embodies our department's values of commitment, compassion and community, and we know she will continue to foster an environment where every veteran feels respected and cared for."