Press Room – Living Legends

First Nursing Homes in State Approved for Blood Transfusions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dawn Harsch, Director of Marketing, (716) 479-3865

Date: March 5, 2024

First Nursing Homes in State Approved for Blood Transfusions

BUFFALO, NY – The McGuire Group, operator of highly-ranked skilled nursing and rehabilitative facilities, is excited to announce its approval from the Department of Health to begin providing in-facility blood transfusions at three of its Western New York locations. Garden Gate Health Care Facility in Cheektowaga, Harris Hill Nursing Facility in Williamsville and Northgate Health Care Facility in North Tonawanda are the first and only long-term care facilities in New York State that are authorized to provide this innovative level of care.

The facilities are equipped with dedicated treatment rooms that include pumps, medications, documentation stations, reclining chairs, warming blankets, iPads, televisions, and magazines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Transfusion services are administered by highly trained registered nurses under the direction of a treating physician. The advanced care treatments will begin on March 11 and are available to all patients/residents who meet the criteria and have a chronic or non-urgent need for a blood transfusion. “We’re excited to be pioneering this next-level service for those in the long-term care setting,” stated Chief Nursing Officer Andrea Czora, RN, BSN. “As clinicians, we understand the disruptions associated with a trip to the hospital. Progressive initiatives such as this are part of our clinically strategic plan for reducing avoidable re-hospitalizations and unnecessary emergency room visits by treating residents in place.”

In addition to being more convenient and safer for the resident, in-house transfusions have the added benefit of reducing hospital occupancy and freeing up resources for other acute care services.

The McGuire Group facilities provide 24-hour skilled nursing care, subacute rehabilitation, memory care, in-house dialysis, hospice and palliative care, and respite/short-term care. To learn more, visit www.LivingLegendsHealth.com.

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Shell Appointed Executive Director of Admissions at 19 Health Care Facilities

Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | PHOTO SENT VIA EMAIL

Contact: Dawn Harsch, director of corporate communications, news@mvgservices.com

Date: February 29, 2024

Shell Appointed Executive Director of Admissions at 19 Health Care Facilities

BUFFALO, NY – Jeanine Shell, RN, BSN, has been appointed as the executive director of admissions at 19 New York-based health care facilities in four portfolios including The McGuire Group, RCA Healthcare Management/Absolut Care, Taconic Health Care and VestraCare.

In this role, Shell is responsible for the overall operation of the admissions department including coordination and oversight of the admission processes, supervising admission directors and screeners, and establishing and maintaining communication between the facilities, referral sources and third-party payers to grow the patient census.

Shell has worked in long-term care for 24 years holding positions as a certified nursing assistant, LPN, RN, admissions charge nurse, MDS manager, assistant director of nursing, director of nursing, director of admissions and director of quality assurance. She received certifications for wound care, WCC, and resident assessment coordinator, RAC-CT.

She holds an associate degree from Erie Community College, a practical nursing degree from Trocaire College and a bachelor of science in nursing from D’Youville University. She is a member of the Professional Nurses Association of WNY.

Shell resides in Buffalo with her husband Jason and children Jack, Logan and Andrew.

Facilities in the McGuire Group portfolio include: Autumn View Health Care Facility in Hamburg, Brookhaven Health Care Facility in East Patchogue, Garden Gate Health Care Facility in Cheektowaga, Harris Hill Nursing Facility in Williamsville, Northgate Health Care Facility in North Tonawanda and Seneca Health Care Center in West Seneca.

Facilities in the RCA Healthcare Management/Absolut Care portfolio include: Absolut Care of Allegany in Allegany, Absolut Care of Aurora Park in East Aurora, Absolut Care of Gasport in Gasport, Absolut Care of Three Rivers in Painted Post, Absolut Care of Westfield in Westfield and Orchard Brooke Assisted Living Center in Orchard Park.

Facilities in the Taconic Health Care portfolio include: Taconic Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Beacon in Beacon, Taconic Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Hopewell in Fishkill and Taconic Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Ulster in Highland.

Facilities in the VestraCare portfolio include: Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk, Roscoe Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Roscoe, Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Boonville and Susquehanna Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Johnson City.

Services include skilled nursing care, subacute rehabilitation, assisted living, memory care, hospice and palliative care, in-house dialysis and respite/short-term care. To learn more visit: www.livinglegendshealth.com. -30-

McGuire Group’s Palliative Care Program Receives Honors

Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dawn Harsch, director of corporate communications, (716) 479-3865

Date: December 7, 2023

Back row:- Patrick Reilly. Middle row from left: Gina Sciandra, Brittnay Hoffman, Pat Gonzalez, Barb Johnson. Front row: Cheryl Tredo, Joanne Novak, Janice Brown, Lynn Priester and Kathy Mateja

The McGuire Group’s Journeys palliative care program, offered at the organization’s four skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers in Erie County, was awarded the Network in Aging’s program of excellence award at its 43^rd annual meeting.

Under the leadership of Journeys Director Barbara Johnson, the team provides specialized services to individuals with end-of-life illnesses and provides support to their family and loved ones.

“Our goal is to address our residents’ needs and priorities by honoring their choices during the final stages of life,” Johnson remarked. “This includes appreciating and recognizing their individuality and fulfilling their wishes as they relate to comfort, care and treatments.”

The Journeys program is offered at Autumn View Health Care Facility in Hamburg, Garden Gate Health Care Facility in Cheektowaga, Harris Hill Nursing Facility in Williamsville and Seneca Health Care Center in West Seneca. Read more about the award and the Journeys program at: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:f7887957-bfe8-4c2c-8432-1d59e4f5ba3d

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Nursing Home Residents Enjoy Horse Drawn Carriage Rides at Garden Gate Health Care Facility

Garden Gate News, Press Room

CONTACT: Dawn Harsch, director of corporate communications, (716) 479-3865 | Rhonda Gorman, activity director, (716) 668-8100

Nursing Home Residents Enjoy Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

at Garden Gate Health Care Facility

WHO: Residents, employees and family members from Garden Gate Health Care Facility.

WHAT: Residents, employees and family members will kick off the holiday season with horse drawn carriage rides from Banner Farms of Perrysburg, NY. The ride will take place around the facility’s campus.

In addition, the Merry Bells will sing Christmas carols and everyone will enjoy hot cocoa and sweet treats.

The front patio will also be decorated festively, and outdoor heaters will be available for those waiting to board the carriage.

WHEN: Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

WHERE: Garden Gate Health Care Facility, 2365 Union Rd, Cheektowaga 14227 (between Losson and French Roads).

MISC.: Garden Gate Health Care Facility provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, subacute care and respite/short-term care. Learn more at www.livinglegendshealth.com.

Brookhaven Health Care Facility Rated Best Nursing Home by Newsweek

Brookhaven News, Employee News, Press Room

Contact: Dawn Harsch, Director of Corporate Communications, (716) 479-3865

East Patchogue, NY – Newsweek has ranked The McGuire Group’s Brookhaven Health Care Facility ninth out of more than 600 facilities in New York state and among the nation’s top 750 out of 12,273 facilities analyzed for its 2024 Best Nursing Homes report.

Newsweek partnered with global data research firm Statista to create the annual ranking. The results are based on performance data, peer recommendations, management of the COVID-19 situation and accreditations from The Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. For the first time, resident satisfaction data for nursing homes, based on national safety goals from The Joint Commission and Google scores, has been added to the scoring model. Additionally, for the first time, the ranking included nursing homes with 100-149 beds, in addition to those with more than 150 beds as in previous years. Nursing homes in the 25 states with the highest population size, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS, 2023), were included in the study.

“This ranking is reflective of our team’s commitment to develop and implement impactful programs that are challenging the status quo in long-term care,” stated Chief Executive Officer, Susan Grigg, RN, BSN, CRRN, LNC, LNHA. “Our clinically progressive programs are allowing us to make a significant difference in the lives of our residents and in the overall quality of care in our community.”

Statista used Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data to determine the performance of nursing homes. For peer recommendations, Statista invited thousands of medical experts including nurses, nursing home administrators, therapists, physicians and nursing assistants to participate in an online survey. Additionally, experts from across the US could participate in the survey of America’s Best Nursing Homes by state on newsweek.com.

The survey data was collected from June to July 2023. Statista and Newsweek calculated a COVID-19 score for each facility using CMS data to identify nursing homes that had the best possible response and protocols during the pandemic. For the first time, resident satisfaction data for nursing homes, based on national safety goals from The Joint Commission and Google scores, has been added to the scoring model.

The overall rating is the weighted average of the performance data score 35%, the reputation score 35%, the COVID-19 score 18%, the resident satisfaction score 7% and the accreditation score 5%.

Brookhaven Health Care Facility is a 160-bed facility that provides subacute rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, palliative care and respite/short-term care. For more information visit www.livinglegendshealth.com.

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Autumn View Health Care Facility Rated Best Nursing Home by Newsweek

Autumn View, Employee News, Press Room

Contact: Dawn Harsch, Director of Corporate Communications, (716) 479-3865

Hamburg, NY – Newsweek has ranked The McGuire Group’s Autumn View Health Care Facility as No. 29 out of more than 600 facilities in New York state and among the nation’s top 750 out of 12,273 facilities analyzed for its 2024 Best Nursing Homes report.

Newsweek partnered with global data research firm Statista to create the annual ranking. The results are based on performance data, peer recommendations, management of the COVID-19 situation and accreditations from The Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. For the first time, resident satisfaction data for nursing homes, based on national safety goals from The Joint Commission and Google scores, has been added to the scoring model. Additionally, for the first time, the ranking included nursing homes with 100-149 beds, in addition to those with more than 150 beds as in previous years. Nursing homes in the 25 states with the highest population size, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS, 2023), were included in the study.

The overall rating is the weighted average of the performance data score 35%, the reputation score 35%, the COVID-19 score 18%, the resident satisfaction score 7% and the accreditation score 5%.

Autumn View Health Care Facility is a 230-bed facility that provides subacute rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, palliative care and respite/short-term care. For more information visit www.livinglegendshealth.com.

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Gahr Named Assistant Administrator at Absolut Care of Aurora Park

Aurora Park News, Employee News, Press Room

Contact: Dawn Harsch, Director of Corporate Communications, (716) 479-3865

EAST AURORA, NY – Kate Gahr has been appointed as the assistant administrator at Absolut Care of Aurora Park, one of six nursing and assisted living facilities in the Absolut Care portfolio. Absolut Care is part of an enterprise that is jointly branded as Living Legends and includes sister portfolios, the McGuire Group, Taconic Health Care and VestraCare. Together they provide care to more than 2,800 individuals across New York state.

In this role, Gahr is responsible for assisting with the planning, development and operational oversight of the 177-bed skilled nursing and rehab facility in accordance with all state, federal and local regulations.

Prior to her appointment, Gahr held roles at Elderwood as an occupational therapist, director of therapy and assistant administrator.

Gahr holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University at Buffalo. She resides in Alden with her husband and children.

Absolut Care of Aurora Park provides skilled nursing care, subacute rehabilitation, memory care, hospice services, in-house dialysis and respite/short-term care. To learn more visit: www.livinglegendshealth.com.

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Bastian Named Administrator at Harris Hill Nursing Facility

Employee News, Harris Hill News, Press Room

Contact: Dawn Harsch, Director of Corporate Communications, (716) 479-3865

BUFFALO, NY – Stacy Bastian, RN, BSN, LNHA, has been appointed administrator of the McGuire Group’s Harris Hill Nursing Facility in Williamsville.

In this capacity, Bastian is responsible for planning, developing and directing the overall operations of the 192-bed facility in accordance with all state, federal and local regulations.

Bastian had previously worked at Harris Hill for 23 years advancing through the ranks and holding positions as a certified nursing assistant, LPN, RN, director of nursing and assistant administrator. For the last three years, she has worked for a sister portfolio as the administrator at Absolut Care of Aurora Park in East Aurora.

Bastian holds an associate degree and bachelor’s degree in nursing from Trocaire College and earned a long-term care administrator certificate from Saint Joseph College of Maine.

Bastian is a member of the Professional Nurses Association of WNY and the East Aurora Chamber of Commerce. She was the 2022 recipient of the ACHCA’s New Administrator of the Year Award and Business First’s Excellence in Health Care Award.

Harris Hill Nursing Facility provides skilled nursing care, subacute rehabilitation and respite/short-term care. The McGuire Group and Harris Hill are part of an enterprise that includes sister portfolios, RCA Healthcare Management/Absolut Care, Taconic Health Care and VestraCare which provide care to more than 2,800 individuals across the state. To learn more visit: www.livinglegendshealth.com.

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Dirlam Promoted to McGuire Group Regional Vice President

Employee News, Press Room

Contact: Dawn Harsch, Director of Corporate Communications, (716) 479-3865

BUFFALO, NY – Mark Dirlam, DPT, LNHA, has been promoted to the position of regional vice president for the McGuire Group, with oversight of its five Western New York-based skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities.

In this role, Dirlam is responsible for the management and operation of more than 1,100 beds and 1,900 employees at Autumn View Health Care Facility in Hamburg, Garden Gate Health Care Facility in Cheektowaga, Harris Hill Nursing Facility in Williamsville, Northgate Health Care Facility in North Tonawanda, Seneca Health Care Center in West Seneca.

Dirlam holds a doctorate in physical therapy from the University at Buffalo, where he was valedictorian of his graduating class, and a bachelor of arts in interpersonal communications from Bowling Green State University.

Prior to his appointment, he served as the Administrator at the organization’s Garden Gate Health Care Facility.

Dirlam is a member of the executive committee for Western New York NYSHFA and is a past member of the Trocaire College nursing advisory board and a legislative liaison for Western New York APTA.

The McGuire Group provides skilled nursing care, subacute rehabilitation, memory care, hospice and palliative care, in-house dialysis, telemetry services and respite/short-term care. The organization and its sister portfolios, RCA Healthcare Management/Absolut Care, Taconic Health Care and VestraCare provide care to more than 2,800 individuals across the state. To learn more visit: www.livinglegendshealth.com.

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Schleer Named Administrator at Garden Gate Health Care Facility

Employee News, Garden Gate News, Press Room

Contact: Dawn Harsch, Director of Corporate Communications, (716) 479-3865

BUFFALO, NY – Amy Schleer, RN, BSN, WCC, LNHA, has been appointed administrator of the McGuire Group’s Garden Gate Health Care Facility in Cheektowaga.

In this capacity, Schleer is responsible for planning, developing and directing the overall operations of the 184-bed facility in accordance with all state, federal and local regulations.

Schleer began her journey at Garden Gate as a volunteer when she was 13 years old. Over the last 30 years, she has advanced through the ranks at a number of McGuire Group facilities holding positions as a certified nursing assistant, cart nurse, unit coordinator, associate director of quality & education, assistant director of nursing and director of nursing. Most recently, she served as a regional quality assurance nurse at the McGuire Group’s corporate center.

Schleer holds an associate degree from Trocaire College and a bachelor of science in nursing from American Sentinel University. She received her long-term care administrator’s certificate from St. Joseph’s College of Maine.

Schleer has been a member of the Professional Nurses Association of WNY, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology, Specialized Medical Alert Response Team and Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.

Garden Gate Health Care Facility provides skilled nursing care, subacute rehabilitation, complex medical care and telemetry monitoring, and respite/short-term care. The McGuire Group and Garden Gate are part of an enterprise that includes sister portfolios, RCA Healthcare Management/Absolut Care, Taconic Health Care and VestraCare which provide care to more than 2,800 individuals across the state. To learn more, visit: www.livinglegendshealth.com.

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