The Circumstances and Challenges
A large, not for profit, religious based health care organization wished to convert a former acute care hospital based campus in a major metropolitan area to a full service long term care campus. In addition to maintaining the mission and philosophy of the organization, serious questions included strategic feasibility, lack of operational know-how, facility requirements, community perceptions, and financial consequences.
The Process and Selection of a Consulting Firm
The President/Chief Executive Officer and the entire executive team sought external assistance given their lack of experience and knowledge in the long term care field. Their search led them to The Fox Group, LLC. Their initial charge – conduct market studies for both a skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.
These studies were quickly followed by requests for financial feasibility analyses for both projects. At the conclusion of these analyses, The Fox Group, LLC was asked to participate in the master planning committee, whose goal was to establish a complete strategic vision for the re-purposing of the entire campus. The Fox Group worked with the committee, which included both members of the executive team and outside parties to formulate the master plan. The master plan was eventually presented to the entire executive team as well as the board of directors, gaining their approval, before sharing it with the surrounding community.
In addition, The Fox Group provided substantial input and guidance in the design process for the skilled nursing facility. The client requested that The Fox Group provide assistance and guidance in identifying and selecting a qualified skilled nursing operator to lease the facility once the construction was complete.
The Outcome
Phase one which was the conversion of one hospital tower into a 119 bed skilled nursing facility was completed successfully and within budget. A skilled nursing operator was selected from a pool of qualified candidates and a lease was negotiated. The facility has been opened and is filling ahead of schedule with a high quality mix.
Phase two is now underway and The Fox Group is currently working with the client to execute the next phase in the development of the campus.