As we head toward the start of Q3, 2020 we are all finding ourselves in a new world. I continue to be amazed at the fortitude and resilience that the majority of healthcare providers across the country have continued to demonstrate on a daily basis to not only take care of those they serve but to also do the best that they can for those they employ. While the efforts to take care of those employed are valiant, these efforts come during an incredibly pressing time in our nation’s history. Speaking with many of our providers I know that the pandemic has considerably intensified the national direct support professional workforce shortage that was occurring prior to the pandemic. Not a day goes by where I don’t think of my 20-year service provider history and the struggle to maintain staffing and what that must be like in today’s world.
The legislative and regulatory landscape is everchanging and we can only expect more changes as a result of COVID-19 and its aftermath once there is a vaccine in place. Because of this evolving and dynamic landscape, we decided that it was critical for Scioto to be at the forefront of those changes in order to better position ourselves where there is opportunity, as well as to assist our service provider partners nationally with ongoing information that impacts them from a federal and state standpoint.
As part of our efforts in this area, we recently announced the hiring of Lissette Rivera to our newly created Vice President of Government Affairs position. Lissette brings with her over 20 years of experience in government affairs with a focus on Medicaid, insurance, as well as innovation issues. Lissette holds a Master of Public Affairs and Politics degree from the Edward J. Bloustein School at Rutgers University.
Lissette will be overseeing Scioto’s legislative strategy at the federal and state levels. This includes representing the company and leading efforts with regulatory agencies and trade associations. In this new position, Lisette will communicate timely information about government policies and initiatives to Scioto customers and partners. She is committed to safeguarding sustainable business practices for both our customers and the specialized needs of the people they serve.
Scioto continues to be open for business for all current and potential customers. Throughout the pandemic we have been working diligently to meet the needs of providers nationally in acquiring single-family homes, multifamily complexes, Adult Day Service program buildings, Behavioral Health housing, and Traumatic Brain Injury construction and acquisition projects.
Because of the pandemic, we have seen numerous merger and acquisition opportunities be presented for providers and are always happy and willing to explore to be the real estate partner in these opportunities. As the pandemic continues to evolve, we expect more and more providers to explore selling their operations and we are always interested in assisting with this process to make it as seamless as possible for both the seller and the buyer.
I hope that all providers continue to find ways to fight for their existence. The world has changed, and we are seeing the healthcare services industry changed too. In the coming weeks, I will be sharing more updates with information that the provider community can expect to see from Scioto.
Stay resilient and stay strong,
President/COO
Scioto Properties