GROVES — There are over a dozen nursing homes in the Southeast Texas region, but one stuck out among the rest in 2019 — Magnolia Manor.

Port Arthur News Readers voted Magnolia Manor in Groves the best skilled nursing and rehab center for the year.

Director of Nursing RAC-CT Lori Pomonis said what sets Magnolia Manor apart from the dozens of other nursing homes is the great staff and family oriented atmosphere.

“The staff works really hard to provide patient care, but they strive on compassion and empathy,” she said. “They really take time to learn about their patients. We love them and we’ve become like one big family.”

Magnolia Manor provides around-the-clock nursing care and rehab services from intravenous care, tracheotomy care and speech therapy to orthopedic and pain management. The location provides private and semi-private suits with electric beds, salon, housekeeping, transportation and meal services.

Alongside compassion and empathy, the staff has experience, skill and longevity. Pomonis, in her 10th year working for Cantex, said they strive for excellence in their nurses, CNAs and administrators, and often have low turnover because staff members come and stay.

“Most of them have been here from 20-40 years,” she said. “They are here for the right reasons. We have all given our life to senior living. We’re all dedicated.”

The facility can hold 120 patients, with anywhere between 85-108 in attendance at once. Pomonis said they take time to make each one feel special and taken care of.

“We try not to get to into numbers,” she said. “We look at the individual and try to just provide great care.”

A large part of senior living involves trust. Pomonis said they work hard to make the families feel safe and secure in leaving their loved ones in their hands.

“We’re all very personable with our families,” she said. “We do a lot of family involvement with the activities we do. We do family night and things like that. We want their families to be apart of our family, too. We have very supportive families.”

Leslie Nunley, RN, said they aren’t just patients but the residents become like their own grandparents.

“We get very attached to our patients,” she said. “We have 100 mamas and 100 papas. It’s really a family atmosphere.”

Pomonis said she wants the community to know she, and her staff, are grateful for the recognition and award.

“We want to say thank you, not for giving us the opportunity but for trusting us with their loved ones,” she said. “That’s big. Most of our own family members have come through, so we know what it’s like. We take pride in being there for them.”

Magnolia Manor is located at 4400 Gulf Street in Groves. The facility recently underwent a $1.2 million renovation. The company provides a traditional living facility and nursing home services. For more information, visit cantexcc.com and then type “Magnolia Manor” in the search bar.