SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is pleased to announce the selection of Scott Buchanan as administrator of the Minnesota State Veterans Home in Fergus Falls. He will begin his role at the 106-bed skilled care facility Monday, July 24.

Buchanan has more than six years of experience as a skilled nursing home administrator, and his background includes both a focus on person-centered care and business operations. He will succeed Jon Skillingstad as the Fergus Falls administrator. Skillingstad retired last month after 20 years of service at the Home.

“Mr. Buchanan’s experience and background, along with his passion for helping Veterans, makes him a great match for the Fergus Falls Veterans Home,” said Douglas Hughes, deputy commissioner of Veterans Health Care at MDVA.

A native of Sioux Falls, Buchanan holds a degree in healthcare administration from the University of South Dakota. He and his wife, Chelsea, will be relocating to Fergus Falls from the Worthington area for his new role.

About the Fergus Falls Veterans Home: 

The Fergus Falls Veterans Home is focused on creating the feel of “home” for Residents and includes a Veterans Village wing where each room is designed to look like a distinct cottage with a window, porch and rocking chair. Park benches and street lights bring the feel of the outdoors inside while helping create a sense of place for Residents with dementia. The Home also features a Snoezelen Room, which provides multi-sensory stimulation through fiber optic lights synchronized to music, and other sensory elements. Originally designed for children with developmental challenges, this same technology has been found to encourage activity and memory retention in aging adults, especially related to dementia and Alzheimer’s.

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About MDVA
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is a cabinet level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.