CHRISTUS Saint Joseph Villa finds a buyer

Intermountain Catholic

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CHRISTUS Saint Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City, which was founded in 1947 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, has been sold to a for-profit group.

By Christine Young

Intermountain Catholic

SALT LAKE CITY - After much analysis, conversation and prayerful reflection, CHRISTUS Health has selected The Ensign Group to purchase CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa and the CHRISTUS Marian Center.

Ensign is based in Mission Viejo, Calif., and owns and operates 82 senior care facilities in California, Washington, Utah, Idaho, Arizona and Texas. "They have nine in Utah and of those, five are in the Salt Lake Valley including Arlington Hills Healthcare Center, Holladay Healthcare Center, Copper Ridge Healthcare Center, Draper Health and Rehabilitation and Paramount Health and Rehabilitation.

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word opened the Villa in 1947. They will be honored at a Mass on Jan. 27, and will leave the end of January.

"The Mass is a celebration of the service of the sisters," said Ginger Moulton, St. Joseph Villa chief development officer, who has worked with the sisters for 25 years. "I've loved working with them. They have been very good to me over the years. They supported me when I started out answering telephones in the business office, and continued to support me as I increased in positions, responsibilities and authority. They've also been personally supportive of my family, and have always been a very important part of my life. It will be very hard to see them go. I believe in the mission of the sisters and I have a great appreciation for all they've done at the Villa. Working side-by-side with the sisters has given me an example of Christ-like service. They all have touched me in their own special ways and touched everyone with whom they have come in contact."

While Ensign is a for-profit group, they are committed to the mission of St. Joseph Villa and of the sisters and will keep the name St. Joseph Villa.

Mark Church, from the Ensign Group will be the new chief executive officer of St. Joseph Villa. He said Ensign is honored to be affiliated with St. Joseph Villa and the history of the mission and ministry of the sisters who founded it. "We recognize the work that has been done here over the past 63 years and don't want to do anything that would detract from it in any way," he said. "We view this as a benefit to take the facility and hopefully bring our expertise in running long-term care facilities and only make it better in terms of how it operates and for the community at large."

Ensign officials anticipate continuing the charity care program through which residents are assisted financially with medical expenses through various forms of fundraising and charity events, he added. "We also hope that by working with the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City that we will be able to continue the Masses held here," said Church. "We think it is a critical part of health care. We have met with Bishop Wester (the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City), and expressed our desire to continue the Masses, and think there is a common desire and commitment to make that a reality."

"This is a great opportunity for St. Joseph Villa as well as Ensign to work together because they do not have another facility that offers all of the services provided at St. Joseph Villa," said Moulton. "They also want to make sure there is a good environment for the residents and employees. We are looking forward to how we can continue to provide the residents and their families with the care they have come to know and respect from St. Joseph Villa."

A Ceremony of Transition will take place at the Villa Jan. 28. The operations of the CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa Uarda Smart Wright Day Center for Children will be transferred to the Kearns-Saint Ann School and Saint Ann Parish.