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LAUREL – The City of Laurel issued the following press release March 6: On Feb. 27, Accura Healthcare, a Midwest-based healthcare company and potential buyer of Hillcrest Care Center, visited Hillcrest Care Center and met with current staff members. Although Accura’s typical practice would not involve discussions with staff during the preliminary phase of their due diligence process, they agreed to do such at the request of Laurel city officials.
City officials requested the meeting to provide transparency and open dialogue between Accura and Hillcrest staff members. Two different time slots were scheduled for these staff meetings with representatives from Accura on the afternoon of Feb. 27.
City Administrator Dan Kuhlman and Hillcrest Administrator Megan Wieck provided advance notice of the meeting by posting a meeting notice and sign-up sheet for staff in the Hillcrest facility earlier in the week.
Laurel City officials directed Wieck to contact Hillcrest Care Center residents and family members prior to Accura’s visit, making them aware that the company had shown interest in acquiring Hillcrest and that Accura representatives would be touring the facility Feb. 27 at approximately 2 p.m. Additionally, city leaders determined that it would be premature for Accura company representatives to visit directly with residents and family at this stage in the process.
During the meeting with Accura, staff members were allowed to ask questions. Company officials were transparent in their response and shared information about the history of Accura and the culture they work to develop within their organization.
Since the meeting, the City of Laurel has been notified that Accura Healthcare is no longer interested in pursuing the purchasing of Hillcrest Care Center.
