Ensign has purchased the facility from an out-of-state operator who acquired the property in November 2006. Barry Port, president of the Ensign subsidiary that will include Southland, noted that the physical plant is in good condition and includes 18 highly-desirable private suites.
According to Christopher Christensen, president and CEO of Ensign, the acquisition of Southland Healthcare Center adds to the company’s critical mass in the important East Texas area. Mr Christensen also reconfirmed that the company is actively seeking additional opportunities to acquire both well-performing and struggling long-term care operations across the Western US.
The Southland acquisition, along with the acquisition of a 156-bed skilled nursing facility in San Luis Obispo, California that occurred at the same time, brings Ensign’s portfolio to 65 facilities, 33 of which are Ensign-owned.