Geer Village announces ‘strategic partnership’ with Integritus Healthcare

“This is the best possible scenario for the future of Geer.” —Shaun Powell, CEO/CFO Geer Village Senior Community

NORTH CANAAN — For the first time in its more than 95-year history, the nonprofit Geer Village Senior Community will soon operate under a new management contract, although it will remain an independent organization.

A joint announcement of a “strategic partnership” between Geer Village and Integritus Healthcare, a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization and post-acute healthcare industry leader based out of Pittsfield, Mass., was made on Aug. 7.

According to Bill Jones, president and CEO of Integritus Healthcare, his organization will become the management company for the Geer Village campus of services and Geer will remain the owner/operator of the programs and services, with Integritus Healthcare providing oversight.

“This is the best possible scenario for the future of Geer,” said Shaun Powell, Geer CEO/CFO.

No layoffs are expected because of the partnership, and it will not impact Geer’s lease with the YMCA’s Canaan Family Branch located there, according to company officials.

In making the announcement, Powell said he anticipates a “bright future through strong collaboration and sharing of expertise as Geer Village aims to strengthen its market position and remain the cornerstone for high-quality care options and employment for consumers and the communities it has been serving for almost 100 years.”

In a joint statement, Powell and Jones noted that the “overarching goal of the partnership is to ensure and protect Geer’s longstanding legacy and commitment to high-quality care in northwestern Connecticut.”

Over the next several months, they noted, Integritus will work alongside the Geer leadership team to “support the goal of a seamless transition for residents, families and staff.”

Both nonprofits’ Board of Directors have unanimously approved a management agreement whereby Integritus Healthcare will become the management company for the Geer Village campus of services, according to a joint announcement to residents, families, friends and community members by Powell and Geer board chair Lance Leifert.

The Covid-19 pandemic, said Geer officials, changed the senior living industry “in ways no one could ever have imagined. As a result, Geer Village and Integritus Healthcare have been talking for a few years to determine how best to navigate these changes ad position the organizations for long-term strategic growth and stability.”

Integritus will be naming Powell, who has held dual roles as Geer’s CEO and CFO for several years, as permanent CFO of Integritus Healthcare.

“Shaun will move into this new role over the course of the next several months, while remaining active as the Geer CEO to ensure a smooth transition… and continue to be intimately involved in the financial operation of Geer,” according to the release.

“The Geer management team will remain essential to the success of the organization and work with the Integritus leaders to ensure a successful integration.”

Geer Village will remain the operator of the programs and services but joins the umbrella of 19 entities at Integritus Healthcare.

The nonprofit Geer Village Senior Community provides care and support to seniors and their families through all stages of aging. It has been serving the Northwest Corner for more than 95 years, first as a hospital then changing to a skilled nursing facility.

In the early 2000s, Geer added low-income senior housing and an assisted living facility to the campus.

Integritus Healthcare, formerly Berkshire Healthcare Systems, is a leading non-profit provider of post-acute care, long-term healthcare and senior housing in Massachusetts.

While the majority of Integritus’ 19 locations are in Berkshire County, it operates as far away as Cape Cod.

“The industry is not getting any easier,” said Powell. “This will ensure the long-term future of Geer. It is going to help us weather the tougher times that exist.”