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North Minneapolis Neighborhood Facility Makes Strides Through New Leadership, Commitment to Quality

Camden Care Center, an 87-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility that has faced challenges over recent years, has embarked on a new, more positive chapter in its history thanks to new leadership, management and infrastructure plans.

A residential resource in the north Minneapolis neighborhood for many years, Camden moved to its present location in the early 1990s. Beset with the financial and programmatic challenges of operating in an increasingly complex care environment, the organization struggled, finally going into receivership with the Minnesota Department of Health in May 2014.

Committed to its residents and the region it serves, however, staff and administrators vowed to recalibrate. A corrective plan was instituted and aggressively acted upon, resulting in Camden Care’s emergence from receivership in November.

Locally headquartered Health Dimensions Group (HDG), a nationally known firm that offers industry-leading expertise to numerous hospitals, health systems, post-acute, long-term care, and senior living providers across the nation, now manages the facility.  Mary Ann Hamer, a 25-year veteran in the industry, is serving as Camden Care’s new executive director.

Under HDG’s leadership, initiatives have been underway to enhance training and quality standards. In addition, a more than a million-dollar renovation is planned to begin in early 2016, that will dramatically improve living and therapeutic environments. Designs for the new space are expected to be shared this month.

“Camden Care Center has always been dedicated to the greater neighborhood, families, residents and those the facility employs,” said Craig Abbott, president of Health Dimensions Group. “This has provided a tremendous foundation upon which to make the necessary changes and move forward in a new, positive direction.”

Despite the challenges it has faced, Camden has continued to maintain strengths in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care, with specializations in pulmonary, cardio, orthopedics and memory care. Not only is there longevity amongst its staff, many patients of the facility have been in residence for a period of time – some as long as 18 years.

“Navigating the challenges that Camden has faced over the years isn’t easy, nor is it always common to see a facility successfully address its issues and emerge from receivership,” observed Abbott. “What made this possible here has been diligent planning, regulatory performance and the consistent financial and stakeholder support. This is testament to not only this organization but the community that values its presence.”