Care center has new owners

Gov. Matt Mead visited Sage View Care Center in Rock Springs Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the successful efforts made to keep the center running.

Sage View was facing closure, and what could have been a disastrous story, ended up being a great example of how a community can work together.

About a month ago, Sage View was notified that they would be facing closure. Deseret Health and Rehab owned Sage View as well as a care center in Saratoga and facing the same troubles. Sage View Administrator, Melissa Elliot called EmpRes Healthcare to see if they could help keep the center open. The state took over the center, and since then, many individuals throughout the community have helped keep the care center running. The center will continue under the new name EmpRes Healthcare.

The community and those who had a role in keeping the center open gathered to celebrate their success. EmpRes Chief Executive Officer, Dale Patterson, and Brent Well, President and Chief Operations Officer congratulated the community. They gave plaques to the individuals who played a crucial role in keeping the facility open. Melissa Elliot received a leadership award for being the driving force in this operation. Those receiving humanitarian awards were Rock Springs councilman Tim Savage, Rep. Joanne Dayton, Sen. Bernadine Craft and Mead. Sue Jones, a Carbon County Commissioner, was also thanked for her efforts.

“This is my home town and my home district, and I have never been more proud of my home town and my home district,” Craft said.

Mead stressed how important the community and the employees at Sage View were to creating this success.

“When I got way out there on a limb and said this is what we need to do, you all did not disappoint. You all came through,” Mead said, “No one should ever question the character of this community.”