by Dennis Dalman
CentraCare health organization will sell 12 senior-living facilities in Sartell, St. Cloud and Monticello to Ecumen, a nonprofit service organization for older adults.
Ecumen ownership is expected to begin by late 2023.
The announcement was made on July 13.
Two of the facilities to be sold are Chateau Waters, a full-service apartment complex for senior citizens in Sartell, and Sartell Therapy Suites. The latter is a facility of transitional-living apartments for older adults released from hospitals where they can live and heal before returning to their homes.
Included in the sale and transition to Ecumen are also three facilities in Monticello and seven in St. Cloud, including the St. Benedict’s Care Center. All of those places are operated by the faith tenets of the St. Benedictine tradition of human services.
The nonprofit CentraCare health organization owns and operates nine hospitals and many senior living facilities in central and western Minnesota.
Ecumen, based in Shoreview, is a nonprofit provider, developer and operator of services and housing options for older adults in multiple states. It owns 31 senior-living facilities in Minnesota and serves more than 27,000 people every year.
Dr. Ken Holmen, president and CEO of CentraCare, said Ecumen was chosen for the sale because it is dedicated to the long-time St. Benedictine faith-based traditions and commitment to health care and senior living.
Holmen stated the following in a press release: “We’re so grateful for all the stakeholders involved in this process, including the St. Benedict’s Advisory Board, the Office of the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud, the Prioress of the St. Benedict’s Monastery (in St. Joseph), the corporate members, as well as the St. Cloud Hospital Advisory Board and the CentraCare Board.”
Shelley Kendrick, president and CEO of Ecumen, had this to say in the press release:
“Since our founding in 1862, our faith-based mission has guided our service to individuals and their families. We couldn’t be happier that we are bringing that mission of providing compassionate health care and innovative services to the greater St. Cloud area. We are eager to get to know the team members and residents here and to be part of this already vibrant community.”
Sister Karen Rose, the newly installed prioress of St. Benedict Monastery, expressed satisfaction about the sale and transition.
“I feel very confident Ecumen will provide the best possible service to residents in St. Cloud, Monticello and Sartell, and that they will work to ensure our Catholic identity and Benedictine heritage are maintained,” she said. “I am happy to have the opportunity to partner with a faith-based organization, which has such high standards of care.”
