Mercy Springfield agrees to sell Mercy Villa nursing home

The Mercy Villa skilled nursing facility in south Springfield will soon be under new management.

Mercy Springfield plans to lease the building on East Montclair Street at Maryland Avenue to Health Systems, Incorporated, the state's largest provider of skilled and long-term nursing care.

Mercy says residents and their families shouldn't notice any changes during the transition. It says HSI intends to continue to the contracts with the doctors who serve patients at Mercy Villa, and employees can continue working.

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FROM: Alan Scarrow, MD, President

DATE: December 7, 2016

SUBJECT: Change of Ownership for Mercy Villa

After much discernment, prayer and consideration, we have agreed to a letter of intent for the transition of Mercy Villa ownership to Health Systems, Inc. (HSI). Yesterday, our executive leaders met with Mercy Villa co-workers and physicians, and we wanted to make sure you knew as well.

Given the complexities of the current health care environment, we recognize the necessity of a partner who can provide expertise in managing nursing homes. As a result, HSI has emerged as our preferred partner. It is the largest provider of skilled and long-term nursing care in Missouri with 87 facilities across the state. Several of these facilities are located within Mercy Springfield Communities in towns like Lebanon, Nixa, Willard, Republic and Springfield.

HSI is widely respected, not only as the largest provider, but also as the expert in long-term care. It has the resources to more comprehensively support every department of the facility in an effort to provide the best skilled and long-term care available.

We anticipate that the transition to HSI will take place in the next 30-60 days. Mercy will continue to own the land and facility and lease it to HSI. Mercy Villa co-workers will remain in their current positions and become employees of HSI.

HSI has a deep respect for Mercy's Mission and Values and has expressed its commitment to continue providing charity care for patients, just as Mercy Villa has done in the past.

We ask for your support for the co-workers and residents as we move forward. Please know that this decision was not made in haste and we are confident that it is in the best interest of our co-workers, residents and community. We will continue to provide updates on the progress of this transition.