Clark Retirement Community Announces Planned Affiliation with BHI Senior Living
February 1, 2022
The Board of Trustees at Clark Retirement Community announced plans to affiliate with BHI Senior Living based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Affiliation agreements were signed on January 19, 2022. Clark and BHI, both premier nonprofit, faith-based senior living organizations, have long histories of providing services and care in independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitative care communities.
Brian Pangle, President and CEO of Clark shared, “Our board conducted an eighteen-month, comprehensive exploratory process and unanimously agreed an affiliation with BHI Senior Living will allow Clark to remain a vibrant and relevant pillar in the community well into the future.” Pangle says that the affiliation with BHI will give Clark the opportunity to continue expanding, enhancing, and repositioning existing campuses and identify additional opportunities to serve older adults in West Michigan and throughout the state.
Beth Kelly, Board Chair of Clark, explained, “For over 116 years, Clark has been creating communities of dignity, compassion, and respect centered on the lives of older adults and those who care for them. Identifying a partner who shares our mission, vision, and values was of paramount importance. BHI Senior Living checked all of the boxes and will align beautifully with Clark’s culture and vision for the future.”
In the affiliation, Clark Retirement Community will maintain its brand and identity as a subsidiary of BHI. The BHI board of directors will succeed the current Clark governing board and will include two current Clark board members, Beth Kelly and Brian Ellis. Brian Pangle will continue as President of Clark and all Michigan-based operations. The existing executive team of Clark will remain in place. The Clark Foundation will continue to operate independently to fulfill its mission to support the retirement community and the Clark Promise for current and future residents. The Clark Foundation Board will appoint two additional board members from BHI Senior Living.
Since 1906, Clark has enjoyed a covenant relationship with the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. Presiding Bishop David Bard said, “As the environment for retirement communities and senior care facilities has changed in recent years, I recognize the need for faith-based, nonprofit organizations to work together more collaboratively and support this affiliation. I think I speak for the entire Michigan Conference in saying that I am grateful for our relationship with Clark through the years, and we look forward to our continuing relationship for years to come.”
John Dattilo, CEO of BHI, sees a great future together for the two organizations. “Clark’s track record of success in developing thoughtful, innovative approaches to serving seniors aligns perfectly with the future growth vision of BHI. We look forward to partnering with Clark in Grand Rapids and throughout the State of Michigan and are proud to welcome Clark to the BHI Family”.