Senior living facilities receive approval to finalize alliance

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Senior living facilities Moravian Manor Communities of Lititz and Morningstar Living in Lehigh Valley received regulatory approval to finalize their affiliation and formed Unitas Communities to serve as the parent company.

The name Unitas comes from the Moravian heritage, with the Moravian Church officially known as Unitas Fratrum (Unity of Brethren) since 1457. Leadership is focused on the Moravian Church’s emphasis in living its motto: “In essentials, unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things love.”

The communities had been actively exploring forming an affiliation for the better part of a year, with their respective boards and related task forces conducting due diligence within each organization. Both boards unanimously approved the affiliation last summer.

“Long-term strategies guide our decisions as faith-based, not-for-profit organizations,” David Swartley, president and CEO of Moravian Manor Communities, said in a statement. “Both of our communities do not have shareholders to whom we must pay quarterly dividends, allowing the Board of Trustees to focus on long-term initiatives.

“Most leaders in our space believe that small, stand-alone long-term care facilities will struggle to survive. Thus, our affiliation, which we hope will grow and evolve to include more communities in the future.”

Both organizations will retain separate, corporate identities and continue to operate separately financially and legally, while sharing key services and resources.

New leadership roles include the following:

• President & CEO: J. David Swartley, president and CEO of Moravian Manor Communities, has stepped into the key leadership role of president and CEO for both Life Plan Communities. 
• Executive Director, Moravian Manor Communities: Cynthia Meier, formerly vice president of Finance at Moravian Manor Communities, has been named executive director for Moravian Manor Communities. She will oversee day-to-day operations. 
• Executive Director, Morningstar Living: Susan Capobianco has been named as Executive Director for Morningstar Living and will oversee the day-to-day operations there. She also will continue in her current role as chief marketing officer at Morningstar Living. 
• Chief Financial Officer: Christopher Hunt, who had been serving as Morningstar Living’s chief financial officer, will step into the dual role for Moravian Manor Communities and Morningstar Living. 
• Chief Human Resources Officer: Brynn Lee, who had been serving as Morningstar Living’s chief human resources officer, will be in the dual role for Moravian Manor Communities and Morningstar Living.

Each community will maintain a smaller board, with local leadership and resident representation. The parent company board establishes representation for both communities along with that of the Eastern District Synod of the Moravian Church, who sponsored each of the organizations years ago to serve their aging church population.