Pillar of Cedar Valley
1410 West Dunkerton Road, Waterloo, IA 50703 · Black Hawk County · (319) 291-2509
114 certified beds, about 133 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1997
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
1 of 5
Health inspections
2 of 5
Staffing
3 of 5
Quality measures
1 of 5
CMS note: The accuracy of the data for this rating could not be validated by CMS.
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 165307 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on November 17, 2025, inspectors cited 7 health deficiencies (the Iowa average is 6.5, the national average 9.2).
None of its 24 health citations since June 2023 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 2.92 hours per resident per day, against 3.82 across Iowa and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.33 of those hours.
32.7% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Iowa average 44.0%).
Health inspections
Federal rules call for a standard inspection at least every 15 months, plus a visit whenever a complaint is filed. Each mark below is one citation, colored by how serious inspectors rated it. How to read a citation.
Under each citation, the quoted text is the inspector's own summary from the federal statement of deficiencies (CMS form 2567), word for word apart from a privacy scrub; CMS removes residents' and staff names before it publishes the text. The full notes are on Medicare.gov.
206/23
1110/24
711/25
312/25
106/26
Potential for minimal harm Potential for more than minimal harm Actual harm Immediate jeopardy Found on a complaint visit
Where its citations fall on CMS's grid
CMS rates every citation by how much harm it caused (rows) and how many residents it touched (columns). The count in each box is this home's, across all 24 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
22D
1E
1F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
June 11, 2026Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, document review, policy review and staff interview, the facility failed to provide one to one supervision for resident safety for 1 of 10 residents sampled (Resident #4). The facility reported a census of 136 residents.
December 23, 2025Complaint inspection · 3 citations
- D Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to protect and prevent resident to resident abuse for 2 of 2 residents reviewed (Residents #1 and #5). The facility reported a census of 136 residents.
- D Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, facility records, policy review, resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to report alleged violations of physical abuse within the required time frame to the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) for 3 of 4 incidents (11/14/25, 12/10/25 and 12/15/25) reviewed. The facility reported a census of 136.
- D Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, facility policy review, and staff interviews the facility failed to thoroughly investigate and put interventions in place following a resident-to-resident abuse for 1 of 3 residents reviewed (Resident #2). The investigation determined Resident #2 hit Resident #1 and Resident #5 on different occasions. The facility failed to conduct resident and staff interviews for the date of the incidents to determine the extent of the allegation or determine if other residents had been affected. The facility reported a census of 136 residents.
November 17, 2025Standard inspection · 7 citations
- D Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, staff interview, and Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual the facility failed to transmit Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments timely for 2 of 3 residents reviewed (Residents #29 and #139). The facility reported a census of 136 residents.
- D Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, clinical record review, policy review, and staff interviews, the facility failed to follow a resident's Care Plan for 1 of 2 residents reviewed (Resident 5). The facility reports a census of 136.
- D Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, policy review and staff interview the facility failed to provide a palm splint to the left hand to reduce/prevent contracture for 1 of 1 resident's sampled (Resident #15). The facility identified a census of 136 residents.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews and policy review, the facility failed to lock up hazardous tools when they didn't have staff present in resident areas. The facility reported a census of 136 residents.
- D Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, policy review and staff interview, the facility failed to implement current physician orders for oxygen therapy for 1 of 1 resident's sample (Resident #15). The facility identified a census of 136 residents.
- D Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, policy review, manufactures instructions for use, and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure residents didn't receive expired insulin to diabetic residents for 2 of2 residents sampled (Residents #401 and #9). The facility reported a census of 136 residents.
- D Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, policy review, and staff interviews the facility failed to have patient care equipment in good repair for 1 of 1 resident reviewed (Resident 37). The facility reported a census of 136 residents.
October 3, 2024Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 11 citations
- F Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on policy review, Center for Infection Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines, and staff interview, the facility failed to perform an assessment to identify where Legionella and other opportunistic waterborne pathogens could grow and spread; and failed to identify measures to monitor and prevent the growth of opportunistic waterborne pathogens and facility staff failed to use enhanced barrier precautions when assisted a resident with a tube feeding, (Resident #52). The facility identified a census of 132 residents.
- E Allow residents to easily view the nursing home's survey results and communicate with advocate agencies.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to post notice of the availability of the most recent survey reports and failed to have survey reports readily accessible to residents, family members and legal representatives of the most recent survey of the facility. The facility reported a census of 132 residents.
- D Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, clinical record review, and resident, family, and staff interviews, the facility failed to treat residents with dignity and respect while affirming each resident's individuality during random observations of staff and resident interactions conducted during our unannounced visit. This was found during review of 3 of 3 residents (Resident #29, Resident #27, and Resident #52). During an observation of Resident #29's room it was noted that there was no curtain hanging between Resident #29's designated room space and his roommate Resident #64's room space, removing all privacy for Resident #29. Resident #29 did not have decision making abilities to approve that there be no curtain. It was observed that Resident #64 could not enter or exit their shared room without walking through Resident #29's designated room space. [...]
- D Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, clinical record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to apply continuous oxygen at 2 liters (L) per minute via nasal cannula, as ordered by Provider, for 1 of 1 resident (Resident #52) reviewed for respiratory care. The facility reported a census of 132 residents.
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, clinical record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed complete resident fall assessment or neurological checks following a resident reported, unwitnessed, fall for 1 of 3 residents (Resident #53) reviewed for accidents. The facility reported a census of 132 residents.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure residents were safe from accidents and hazards for 1 of 3 residents reviewed (Resident #79). Staff failed to supervise Resident #79 in the shower room. The resident fell while in the shower. The facility reported a census of 132 residents.
- D Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, clinical record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to apply gloves or additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for infection prevention during administration of enteral tube feeding for 1 of 1 residents (Resident #52) reviewed for tube feeding. The facility reported a census of 132 residents.
- D Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, interviews and record review, the facility failed to ensure a minimum of 80 square feet of personal room space for residents with roommates for 1 of 1 resident reviewed (Resident #29). During an observation it was noted that Resident #29 had a smaller room space than his roommates. The facility reported a census of 132 residents.
- D Provide bedrooms that have direct access to an exit hallway.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, interviews and record review, the facility failed to ensure residents had direct access to an exit corridor from their designated room space in a room shared by 4 residents for 4 of the 4 residents reviewed (Resident #29, Resident # 60, Resident #64 and Resident #92). Resident #64 would need to exit through Resident #29's designated room space to exit the room and access the hall. Resident #60 would need to exit through either Resident # 64's space and then into Resident #29's designated space or would need to exit through Resident #92's designated space. The facility reported a census of 132 Residents.
- D Provide bedrooms that don't allow residents to see each other when privacy is needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, interviews and record review, the facility failed to provide a privacy curtain between 2 residents (Resident # 29 and Resident #64. During an observation of Resident #29's room it was noted that there was no curtain hanging between Resident #29's designated room space and his roommate Resident #64's room space, removing all privacy for Resident #29. Resident #29 did not have decision making abilities to approve that there be no curtain. The facility reported a census of 132 residents.
- D Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, policy review, resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to provide a call light for Resident #103. The facility reported a census of 103 residents.
June 29, 2023Standard inspection · 2 citations
- D Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, observation, resident interview, staff interview and policy review the facility failed to provide appropriate services to maintain or improve resident abilities with mobility and dining-eating for 1 of 5 residents reviewed (Resident #132). The facility reported a census of 134 residents.
- D Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, policy review, and staff interview the facility failed to limit the timeframe for PRN (as needed) psychotropic medication to 14 days or obtain appropriate documentation from the provider for 1 of 5 residents (Resident #29). The facility reported a census of 134 residents.
Fire safety inspections
15 fire safety citations on file: 3 on November 17, 2025, 6 on October 3, 2024, 6 on June 29, 2023.
Every fire safety citation15 citations
- F Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- D Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D Meet requirements for the use and maintenance of medical gas equipment.
- E Use approved construction type or materials.
- E Meet other general requirements.
- E Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- E Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- D Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- D Have restrictions on the use of portable space heaters.
- F Use approved construction type or materials.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- F Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
- E Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- E Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- E Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Fines and payment denials
CMS lists no fines or payment denials against this home in the last three years. The national average is 0.9 fines per home.
Staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.
| Measure | This home | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 2.92 | 3.82 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.33 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 2.49 | 3.37 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 1.90 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.69 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 32.7% | 44.0% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 28.6% | 42.1% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 2.97 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.
Staffing by quarter, from daily payroll records
Every nursing home sends CMS its staff hours for each day (the Payroll Based Journal). Here they are added up by quarter. The latest quarter is the one behind the figures above. In January to March 2026, nursing staff hours per resident were 3.09 on weekdays and 2.49 on weekends, 19% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 6.6% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 2.92 in April to June 2025 to 2.92 in January to March 2026.
| Quarter | All nursing staff | Registered nurses | Weekdays | Weekends | Contract staff share | Days with no RN hours | Residents a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 2.92 | 0.33 | 3.09 | 2.49 | 6.6% | 0 of 90 | 133 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 2.91 | 0.35 | 3.06 | 2.55 | 5.5% | 0 of 92 | 135 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 2.95 | 0.42 | 3.12 | 2.54 | 5.8% | 0 of 92 | 136 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 2.92 | 0.48 | 3.08 | 2.51 | 7.1% | 0 of 91 | 136 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Iowa, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.80 | 0.71 | 3.98 | 3.36 | 4.7% | 0.3% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Iowa | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 15.5 | 17.1 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 13.1 | 16.6 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.9 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 12.3 | 20.9 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 13.6 | 13.2 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: BLACK HAWK NURSING AND REHABILITATION LLC.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamid Waterloo LLC | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 12/15/2022 |
| Tamid Healthcare Nfp | 5% or greater indirect ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 12/15/2022 |
| Arends, Hilary | W-2 managing employee | Individual | 04/03/2022 | |
| Kuzmenko, Michael | Corporate officer | Individual | 12/15/2022 | |
| Shir, Anatoliy | Corporate officer | Individual | 12/15/2022 | |
| Pillar Senior Care LLC | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 12/15/2022 | |
| Messing, Michael | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 12/15/2022 | |
| Tarnoff, Michael | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 12/15/2022 |
As listed in the CMS ownership file, which names owners with a 5% or greater stake and the people and companies with operational or managerial control.
Questions to ask on a visit
Chosen from this home's own inspection record.
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 8 problems in this area, most recently on June 11, 2026: "Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents."
- Can we see a resident room, a shower room and the dining room on this visit?Inspectors cited 5 problems in this area, most recently on November 17, 2025: "Keep all essential equipment working safely."
- How are allegations of abuse or neglect reported and investigated, and who tells the family?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on December 23, 2025: "Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on November 17, 2025: "Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 2.49 hours per resident per day, below the Iowa average of 3.37.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Northcrest Specialty Care Waterloo, 4.5 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 29 citations
- Martin Health Center, Inc Cedar Falls, 4.8 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 9 citations
- Cedar Falls Health Care Center Cedar Falls, 5.8 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 38 citations
- Newaldaya Lifescapes Cedar Falls, 5.8 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 18 citations
- Pinnacle Specialty Care Cedar Falls, 6.5 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 25 citations
- The Suites at Western Home Communities Cedar Falls, 6.7 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 11 citations
- Harmony Waterloo Waterloo, 7 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 22 citations
- Denver Sunset Home Denver, 7.3 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 9 citations
Iowa contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Iowa. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Health Facilities, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Iowa Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, 866-236-1430. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
- State inspection reports: Iowa Health Facility Database, Entity Search, where Iowa publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Pillar of Cedar Valley's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Pillar of Cedar Valley 1 out of 5 stars overall, with 2 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 1 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Pillar of Cedar Valley get at its last inspection?
- 7 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on November 17, 2025. The Iowa average is 6.5.
- Has Pillar of Cedar Valley been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Pillar of Cedar Valley accept Medicaid?
- It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.
- Who owns Pillar of Cedar Valley?
- CMS lists 8 owners and managers. Legal business name: BLACK HAWK NURSING AND REHABILITATION LLC.
Sources
- Ratings, staffing and fines: CMS Provider Information, released September 30, 2026, data as of September 1, 2026.
- Citations: CMS Health Deficiencies and Fire Safety Deficiencies.
- Owners: CMS Ownership. Penalties: CMS Penalties.
- Staffing by quarter: CMS Payroll Based Journal Daily Nurse Staffing, April 2025 to March 2026, summed by NursingHomeClear.
- Inspector summaries: CMS Full Statement of Deficiencies (CMS-2567 text), data as of September 1, 2026. Each quote is the part of the statement before the detailed findings.
- Inspection reports with the inspectors' full notes are on this home's Medicare.gov page.
- Something wrong on this page? Ask for a correction. We fix errors in our copy of the data; findings themselves can only be changed by CMS and the state.
- NursingHomeClear is independent and not affiliated with CMS, Medicare or any state agency. This page reports federal records; it does not rate, recommend or endorse any home, and it is not medical or legal advice.