Press Release

Ellis Announces Closure of Residential and Rehab Center

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Working with residents and their families on seamless transition of care; all nursing home jobs will be preserved

 

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. –– Ellis Medicine has made the difficult decision to close the Ellis Residential and Rehabilitation Center (ERRC) on its McClellan Street campus in the coming months. The decision follows extensive efforts to find a sustainable solution to continue operating the nursing home, including a national search for an operator to purchase ERRC. The two-year search did not produce a suitable buyer. The closure plan, approved and to be overseen by the New York State Department of Health, aims to provide a smooth transition for all residents.

Ellis is also committed to retaining all ERRC employees. Its Human Resources Department is working with ERRC colleagues to transfer them to positions elsewhere in the organization.

“Closing ERRC is a heart-wrenching decision, especially considering the excellent care our staff has provided over the years,” said Paul Milton, President & CEO of Ellis Medicine. “However, the underutilization of the 18-acre McClellan campus and the resulting financial burden have made it clear that we must always be evaluating where we focus our resources to remain viable in a challenging halthcare environment.”

Operation of ERRC and the broader McClellan campus continues to be unsustainable. The annual financial burden of operating the McClellan campus is $5 million; 80 percent of the campus—295,000 square feet—remains unused.

Resident Transition Plan

Ellis Medicine is committed to ensuring that the transition for ERRC residents is as smooth as possible. The state-approved closure plan includes:

• Assessing each resident’s need for continued skilled nursing care.
• Assisting residents in finding suitable alternative facilities.
• Partnering with community organizations for discharge planning and case management.
• Providing medical records, care plans, and medication orders to the new facilities to ensure treatment continues without interruption.
• Working at the residents’ pace during the transition.
• Evaluating and arranging appropriate transportation to new facilities.

The team at Ellis has been working closely with skilled nursing facilities throughout the region to make certain they have the capacity to accept ERRC’s residents.

“These partner facilities are well-equipped to provide the necessary care and support for a seamless transition," Milton said. “Each resident’s unique needs will be carefully assessed to ensure they receive the necessary support during this transition. We are committed to providing ample time for residents and their families to make informed decisions about relocation. We also thank the skilled nursing facilities in the region for working closely with us and assisting in transferring our residents.”

The future of the McClellan campus

Ellis Medicine has centralized operations in recent years—moving multiple services from the McClellen Street campus to Ellis Hospital and Bellevue Woman’s Center—to maximize staffing coverage, improve efficiency and enhance the patient experience. Looking ahead, Ellis is actively working with outside parties interested in taking over the property, developing it, and helping fulfill its potential. Under these scenarios, Ellis Medicine’s primary care/Family Health Center practice and the Belanger School of Nursing will continue to operate on the McClellan campus.

Community meeting

Ellis will host a community meeting for anyone interested in learning more about the ERRC closure.

When: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26

Where: Robb Auditorium at the McClellan Street Health Center

Address: 600 McClellan St., Schenectady, NY 12304

Note:  No registration required. At the main entrance, visitors will need to use the buzzer / intercom to access the building

More info: Contact Philip Schwartz, Sr. Director of Communications, at 518.831.8588, or schwartzp@ellismedicine.org

 

ABOUT ELLIS MEDICINE

Ellis Medicine is a 438-bed community and teaching healthcare system serving New York’s Capital Region. With five campuses — Ellis Hospital, McClellan Street Health Center, Bellevue Woman’s Center, Ellis Health Center, and the Medical Center of Clifton Park — and approximately 2,700 employees, Ellis Medicine is proud to provide a lifetime of care for patients. Ellis offers an extensive array of inpatient and outpatient services — including cardiac, cancer, emergency, mental health, and women’s services.

Ellis Medicine | Newsroom

Ellis Medicine Media Inquiries

Media inquiries should be directed to the Communications Department at Ellis Medicine. The Communications Department is open and staffed Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. The department can be reached by phone at 518.232.9288. If you leave a message your call will typically be returned within 24 hours.

All official communications regarding Ellis Medicine are arranged through the Communications Department. We look forward to working with members of the public and media organizations to provide accurate, up-to-date information about Ellis Medicine.

Contact:

Communications
Ellis Medicine
1101 Nott Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
518.232.9288