On Dec. 15, it was announced that the sale of the residential health care facility and three nursing homes, which are operated in conjunction with the Diocese of Camden, to the Catholic Health Group division of Center Management Group had been completed for $40 million.
The three nursing homes are Our Lady’s Residence in Pleasantville, Bishop McCarthy Residence in Vineland, and St. Mary’s Catholic Home in Cherry Hill. The residential health care facility is The Manor at St. Mary’s.
Center Management Group, which was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Flushing, New York, is a regional health care management company that specializes in long-term care. It currently owns and operates nursing homes and assisted living facilities in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Last year, Center Management was selected by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to purchase skilled nursing and personal care facilities previously operated by the Catholic Health Care Services division of the Archdiocese which — in accord with a Stewardship Agreement — continue to be operated in a Catholic faith-based manner. Prior to the acquisition of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia facilities, it acquired two nursing homes in New York which had been part of Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center, which it also continues to operate in a Catholic faith-based manner.
As part of the sale, Center Management has signed a 50-year stewardship agreement to ensure the continued Catholic identity of the South Jersey facilities, and has agreed to operate each facility in accordance with the moral, ethical and social teachings of the Catholic Church as expressed in the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
Proceeds of the sale will cover debts of the facilities, sale fees and financial arrangements related to the pension program for the existing employees of the facilities. The remaining funds will be used to finance new programs being developed by the Diocese to provide non-institutional care for the elderly and persons with disabilities, without regard to religious affiliation or the ability to pay.
Through the newly established VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services, multiple healthcare programs will benefit from the sale. Care Coordination and Consultation Services, staffed by RNs and MSWs, will provide assistance to individuals and families to navigate the often complex and confusing maze of healthcare options and support services available. Other programs expected to benefit from the sale include an expansion of the existing Parish Nurse program, new parish-based day centers for seniors, the development of a Non-Medical Home Care Agency for seniors and persons with disabilities, along with support services for families with Children on the Autism spectrum. A toll-free help line provides an easy mechanism to be connected with the services of VITALity.