Genesis Healthcare celebrated thirty years of providing skilled nursing and therapy in post acute care on Wednesday, starting by providing its hard working staff with a celebratory breakfast at the company’s head office in Kennett Square.

Founded in 1985 by Mike Walker, Genesis Healthcare began life as a small furniture and dry goods store in Kennett Square with just 25 employees. Since then, the initial vision has grown exponentially. Today Genesis employs nearly 100,00 people and is one of the largest post-acute care providers in the country with more than 500 skilled nursing centers in 34 states and over 1,600 rehabilitation and therapy centers across 46 states and in China.

During the event many long term employees took time to consider what has made the Genesis Healthcare model such a success. “We have always focused on caring and compassion” said Victoria Valton, senior director of employee engagement, our employees “don’t just have a high-level skill set, but a passion and a spirit to deliver our core values”

The company is constantly evolving in its efforts to provide the best health care service available by creating specialty units to provide transitional care as well as cardiac, ventilator and dialysis services. It was the first in the industry to provide physicians and nurse practitioners in its centers and is now introducing a new product, its Powerback Rehabilitation service which focuses on the demand for short stay, high acuity care.

Earlier this year, Genesis completed an agreement to combine with Skilled Healthcare Group which essentially made the company publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker GEN, cementing its position as an industry leader in the long-term care industry.

But it is clear that the driving force behind the initial success was Mike Walker. “When he started, he mortgaged everything,” said Genesis CEO, George V. Hager Jr., “it’s all about Mike’s vision and being good to employees.”

Hager emphasized that Kennett Square is the ideal location of Genesis to have its corporate headquarters. “A special thanks to all of the residents, business owners and community leaders of Kennett Square for their support of the company and our mission, this is a wonderful town to call home.”