Cabot – Keith Frndak, President and CEO, Concordia Lutheran Ministries announced today that the $11.5 million expansion to the Lund Care Center on the Cabot campus is scheduled to begin in late May. A project that will assure Concordia’s position as the facility of choice for many years to come, the skilled nursing and assisted living facility features a full complement of private rooms.

Frndak underscores the availability of 350 private rooms. “I know of no facility in Pennsylvania that offers this amenity,” he said.

Completion of the project is planned for July 2006. Ed Long of RW Larson and Associates has been selected as the architect. Long designed the current structure completed in 1998 as well as the last two Concordia Haven Apartments, the independent living dwelling on the 167-acre campus. Returning as project superintendent is Gary Holmes.

Some of our building plan highlights include:

· 129,000 sq. ft. expansion to the current 113,600 sq. ft.

· A full complement of private rooms

· Country kitchen on each of three floors providing restaurant style dining

· Focus on rehabilitation services providing water therapy through a hydraulic pool

· Four seasons room and outdoor courtyards

· Diagnostic medical services available on site

Robust inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services include both land and water therapy using state-of-the-art equipment.

The concept of the country kitchen will eliminate 90 percent of tray service. Food will be served directly to the resident on a dinner plate.

Together, these amenities - private rooms, food service and rehab afford Concordia a remarkable quality advantage. In addition, administration is not separated from care-giving.

“It is important that we are right there. Decision-makers are next to staff and won’t lose touch with residents and caregivers,” Frndak notes. “This kind of proximity helps to maintain a family atmosphere. The nursing units, designed to be small and more personal, will accommodate 26-27 residents,” he says.

“I am personally excited about the elevated level not available at other facilities. We want the best environment available for the comfort of our residents.”

The Lund Care Center expansion prepares Concordia for the critical and controversial issues that are surging to the forefront of health care in the United States. Federal and state trending for reimbursement will shift 40 percent of the dollars spent on skilled nursing to home and community based services. The Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services is flattening budget growth by shifting care away from institutions to home care.

A $2.5 million capital campaign will help to fund the expansion. Chosen by the Concordia Board of Directors, members of its 37 supporting Lutheran Church Missouri Synod churches, the capital campaign theme “A Time to Build …,” is based on the Old Testament writings of wise King Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Concordia’s family will celebrate a ceremonial groundbreaking on May 25 at 2:30 p.m. at the outdoor pavilion with a walk, sponsored by its Health and Wellness Committee. As part of the “10,000 Step Challenge,” employees and their families as well as residents can participate and raise dollars for the capital campaign fund by acquiring sponsorships for walkers. The public is invited to attend.

The “10,000 Step Challenge” was kicked off on May 1. Employees wear a pedometer that registers each step on a daily basis. The goal for each individual is to walk 10,000 steps per day.

Concordia’s second annual golf outing is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 29 at Deer Run Golf Course. All proceeds will be donated to the capital campaign fund. In addition, a cookbook of recipes from residents, employees and their families has been compiled and will be sold for $10.

Please call Shirley Freyer at 724-352-1571, ext. 266 for more information.