In Northern Michigan, families trust skilled nursing facilities to provide safe, attentive care for their loved ones. When that trust is broken, the consequences can be devastating.
Recent reporting by the Traverse City Record-Eagle detailed serious concerns surrounding Grand Traverse Pavilions, the county-owned skilled nursing facility in Traverse City. The article outlines a decline in the facility’s federal rating and describes a complaint inspection that found deficiencies in care, ultimately resulting in the death of a resident. The investigation also highlights a whistleblower lawsuit filed by registered nurse Naomi Rode, who alleges ongoing safety and regulatory violations at the facility.
Ringsmuth Wuori PLLC is representing Ms. Rode in her legal action.
According to the October complaint inspection cited in the article, the facility “failed to effectively monitor, report and respond to a change in condition” for a resident experiencing respiratory distress. The delayed response led to hospitalization and, ultimately, the resident’s death.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) subsequently assigned the Pavilions a one-star rating in health inspections, contributing to its current two-star overall rating.
The CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System evaluates nursing homes based on health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. While Grand Traverse Pavilions has reportedly maintained stronger ratings in staffing and quality measures, deficiencies identified in complaint inspections over the past three years significantly impacted its overall score.
Beyond inspection findings, the lawsuit filed by Ms. Rode raises additional concerns about workplace culture and regulatory compliance.
The complaint alleges that management discouraged staff from speaking freely with state investigators and created an environment in which employees feared retaliation for raising safety concerns. Ms. Rode further alleges that she reported violations to officials with Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), and that after refusing to participate in conduct she believed was improper, she was later overlooked for promotion.
Whistleblower protections exist for a reason. Federal and state laws are designed to ensure that healthcare professionals can report concerns about patient safety, abuse, neglect, or regulatory violations without fear of retaliation. When employees are silenced, the people who suffer most are often residents who depend entirely on others for care.
It is important to note that litigation is ongoing, and allegations in a lawsuit represent claims that must be proven in court. At the same time, public inspection records and CMS reports provide transparency into how facilities are evaluated and held accountable.
Grand Traverse Pavilions is the largest county-owned nursing facility in Michigan and serves a vital role in the community. The issues raised in the Record-Eagle’s reporting underscore broader questions about oversight, leadership stability, staffing pressures following the pandemic, and the challenges many long-term care facilities face across the country.
At Ringsmuth Wuori PLLC, we represent individuals who speak up when patient safety and regulatory compliance are at risk. Healthcare workers who report concerns deserve protection under the law. Residents and families deserve transparency and accountability.
We encourage readers to review the full reporting from the Traverse City Record-Eagle for additional details about this matter. You can read the complete article at the link provided below. If you have questions about whistleblower protections, nursing home negligence, or regulatory compliance in healthcare settings, our team is available to provide guidance and legal support.
