One of the kindest, caring and giving employers around is how Pastor Phyllis James describes Copa Davis of Loving Kindness Healthcare Systems. A longtime supporter and resident Chaplin, James said, “You don’t find many owners that cares for and has the passion for their staff the way she does.”
A licensed, insured and bonded Home Health Care Agency, with a staff base of more than 73 people consisting of care givers and companions, Davis says the staff is like her extended family. “In a business that requires love and kindness, it is important to assure them that their needs are met.” Davis pointed out that caregivers and companions encourage, support assist and comfort their clients in their daily lives.
Since 2007 through the guidance, grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ which Davis defines as the main partner in the business she and three others have been operating the organization. Kim Davis and Monique Powell are also partners and Scott Taylor is a partner and the director of business.
Davis explained that the business was originally organized as Loving Care Registry by Taylor and her late son Benji Xavier Jamall Davis who were business partners prior. In the beginning they supplied nursing professionals to companies. Because of changes in health care laws in 2009 LKHS was formed. Davis says with loving kindness they provide much needed in-home health care services and or private duty services in personal care homes. “Our goal is to maintain the consumer’s sense of dignity and quality of life in the familiar and comfortable environment of their homes. Regardless of the circumstances, we offer a broad range of home health care services, long and short term, designed to improve the quality of life for elderly and or adults or children with special needs.”
Taylor identified services provided by LKHS as assistance with bathing and dressing, laundry service, shopping and running errands, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, maintaining home safety, minor wound care, occupational, physical and speech therapy, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, hospital sitting, and respite care.
In order to provide the services on a 24 hour 365 day basis, Davis points out that LKHS is always in need of caring, qualified and skilled workers. Currently they are in need of a Service Support Coordinator, Home Health Aides, Certified Nursing Aides, and nurses including Registered, Licensed and Practical. Kim Davis said that to successfully complete the application process potential candidates must be 18 years of age or older, have two forms of identification with one being a state id, Criminal background checks, Child Abuse Clearances, CPR and First Aide training, their educational transcripts, a physician statement, a two-step tuberculosis test and two professional references with correct telephone numbers. She indicated that some positions require a drivers licenses and reliable transportation, to be able to lift at least 50 pounds and stressed that everyone needs to have the emotional and mental maturity necessary for establishing and maintaining a good work relationship with the client, client’s family, and the personnel of the agency and carry Liability Insurance.
Always looking to broaden their scope of operations, Taylor pointed out that even though LKHS has been operating in Southwestern Pennsylvania they are licensed by the states of Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida. He and Davis share the excitement that they have recently expanded into Rex, Ga. near Atlanta and are preparing to operate in Palm Bay, Fla.
Their sites are also set on operating and owning a100 bed Home Health Care facility soon, which will enable them to provide employment for area residents and Taylor indicated that a LKHS School of Nursing is in the works. “We want to be able to help people obtain their degrees starting with certifying CNAs to offering an 18 to 24 month accredited RN Degree.”
While listening to Taylor outline their dreams and goals, Davis pointed out that he takes her visions and turns them into reality. “I am the visionary. God gives me the thoughts.”
A Schenley High School graduate, Davis says she attended the Median School of Dentistry as well as Community College of Allegheny County for radiology but never finished either. She has gained her experience from working private duty and from life experiences. She said between 2001 and 2007 she buried two brothers, two sisters, her father and mother and her 28-year old son. “After all that I asked God to help me open a business and to have time with my remaining two children,” she said. Now her daughter who attends CCAC works with her as well as her sister, but her son has passed away.
When asked what advice she has for people thinking about starting a business or who are in the beginning stages of a business she suggests, “Get a relationship with God. Have faith and posture yourself.”
Davis says she knows that she has been blessed to be a blessing to others and pointed out that the motto of LKHS is:
“Loving kindness is at the heart of all we do.”
(Loving Kindness Healthcare Systems website is www.lkhscorp.com.)
