County nursing home is officially sold

Provided Photo – Orleans County officials sign documents on Tuesday to finalize the sale of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Facility to Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services. The following are pictured, from left: William Gillick, interim administrator; David Schubel, county attorney; David Callard, Legislature Chairman; Chuck Nesbitt, county chief administrative officer; and Francis Gorman III from Harris Beach PLLC.

ALBION – The former county-owned Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center has officially transferred to new ownership. The $7.8 million sale of The Villages to Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services exceeds the suggested $6.5 million market value, Comprehensive officials said in a press release this morning.

Comprehensive’s bid was approved by the Orleans County Health Facilities Corporation in February 2014.

“We were confident early on that Comprehensive was the best option for Orleans County,” Russ Martino, chairman of the OCHFC, said in the press release. “Their desire and ability to immediately expand the facility’s existing programs and services will make a big impact on elder care and rehabilitation options in this community.”

Finalization of the sale removes the 120-bed nursing home from the county’s books, stabilizes nursing home operations and preserves local jobs, once feared to be a casualty of privatization, county officials said.

Bob Compani, CSEA Private Sector director, praised Comprehensive for welcoming the employees in the nursing home.

“From my perspective, it was a breath of fresh air in comparison to other nursing home owners who have gutted employee wages and benefits in other counties throughout the state,” Compani said. “The agreement we reached maintains pay and benefits at levels that will retain the valuable employees and ensure that exceptional quality of care will continue at The Villages.”

Comprehensive’s purchase of The Villages of Orleans is the first of four acquisitions the Long Island-based company will execute in Western New York this year.

The principals of Comprehensive endeavor to support smaller, close-knit communities that are struggling with an ever-changing health care system, according to the press release.

“It’s deeply ingrained in our mission to respect and assist society’s aging and under-served,” said CHMS managing member Josh Farkovits. “We understand the challenges facing people right now and our goal is to deliver sustainable health care options wherever we can make the most impact. Right now, communities in Western New York need our resources and support and we want to assure them of our desire to bring the highest level of customized care to them all.”

File photo by Tom Rivers – The new owners of the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Facility will retain the majority of the 130 employees at the site on Route 31 in Albion.

The company plans to expand services, rehabilitative programs and invest in the county by introducing nearby senior living options, said CHMS managing member Mordy Lahasky.

“Comprehensive is very appreciative of the warm welcome and high-level of cooperation we received in Orleans County,” Lahasky said. “This ease-of-transition has allowed us to not only hit the ground running but really fine-tune our operational and expansion goals for The Villages.”

Comprehensive’s team has worked on site with county officials and the facility’s staff for more than eight months prior to the transfer. They also met with resident council and resident family members.

Comprehensive has agreed to continue the nationally recognized Community As Schools program at the facility, where at-risk Albion High School students attend an alternative education program and do internships with nursing home staff.

Comprehensive said county officials worked with the new owners to allow for a seamless transition.

“We are very pleased that the transition is proceeding better than expected,” said Legislature Chairman David Callard. “The LDC members and our staff have done a marvelous job. Comprehensive has been professional and easy to work with. There seems to be a very positive working relationship developing with Comprehensive, the union and our employees. I am confident that our residents will receive top quality care going forward.”