Heisinger Bluffs, St. Joseph’s sold to new owner

Heisinger Bluffs and its St. Joseph's Neighborhood community will come under new ownership next month, its current parent company said Tuesday.

Green Tree Health Care's purchase of the facilities takes effect Oct. 1. Maryanne Wallace, communications and marketing executive director for current owner group, Lutheran Senior Services (LSS), said the two groups were working together on the transfer.

"LSS is working with Green Tree to do everything we can to make this transition as smooth as possible for affected staff members and residents," Wallace said in an email.

A further statement from LSS, provided by Wallace, said the group was attracted to the sale by Heisinger's reputation in the community and believed the facilities would fit well with their business model.

"On behalf of LSS, this decision was not made lightly," the statement read. "After years of strategic efforts and extensive evaluation and careful consideration by the LSS leadership and LSS Board, a business decision was made to accept the offer to purchase both the Heisinger Bluffs building and the St. Joseph's Neighborhood building."

The statement said Green Tree would expand the facilities' offerings while maintaining their legacy within the community.

Green Tree operates several rehabilitation, long-term care, skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities across Missouri, Iowa and Oklahoma, according to LSS. Green Tree's director of operations, Elazar Fischer, said in an email more information on the group's plans was forthcoming.

Heisinger Bluffs, located at 1002 W. Main St., offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and longterm care services. St. Joseph's Neighborhood is also an LSS community.

Heisinger and St. Joseph's Executive Director Ashley Drewel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.