In a move that took many by surprise, Elant”™s board of directors released its founder and CEO, Donna McAleer, and is now moving toward restructuring the senior health care provider”™s extensive network of facilities and services.
“The health care industry is undergoing a major shakeup,” said Donna Cornell, who became chair of Elant”™s board of directors in 2009. “Federal and state government is changing the way they reimburse and Elant is not isolated from those changes. We have to meet them.”
In addition to the departure of McAleer, who could not be reached for comment, Elant also released Patricia Gilchrist, former head of the Orange County Citizens Foundation, from her part-time position as community liaison.
Cornell said Elant hired Roush & Associates Inc., a consulting firm that operates nursing homes and long-term care facilities. “They have come in and will evaluate us, let us know how we can provide services better and what services we are now providing that need to be changed. They are coming in tomorrow for their first meeting for a 90-day evaluation””we are looking at everything from our long-term care to community-based services.”
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Roush will be looking at Elant”™s plans for the new housing development planned next to Glen Arden, its continuing-care retirement community (CCRC) in Goshen. The homes, first slated to be marketed as a 55-and-over adult community, is now proposed to become part of Glen Arden”™s CCRC services.
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“We need to look at what we”™re doing and see if there”™s a way we can rethink this project and possibly make it more affordable. The real estate market has changed dramatically and perhaps the product we offered is not priced right. Roush will take a look at that as well as our other facilities in Orange, Dutchess and Westchester counties.
“We need to stay financially viable. Elant”™s a great organization. I got involved about five years ago. I really took a look at what is the most vulnerable population ”“ children and the elderly ”“ and got involved with a well-respected organization to make a difference to seniors.”
With McAleer gone, her duties now fall to Todd Whitney, chief financial officer and Nick Lanza, chief operating officer. “There will not be an interim president,” Cornell said. “Once we identify and establish the changes we want to make, that will be next in the pipeline. Right now, we”™re looking forward to what we need to be doing to meet the senior health care needs in the new economy.”
Elant operates nursing homes in Goshen, Newburgh, Fishkill, Wappingers Falls and Briarcliff Manor. It serves approximately 3,000 seniors a day, both inpatient and day programs.
