GlobeNewswire Inc | Aug 2, 2021 06:00AM EDT

August 02, 2021

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., Aug. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TheEnsign Group, Inc.(Nasdaq: ENSG), the parent company of the Ensigngroup of companies, which invest in and provide skilled nursing and senior living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies and other rehabilitative and healthcare services, announced today that, effective August 1, 2021, it acquired the operations of the following skilled nursing facilities in Texas:

-- Sedona Trace Health and Wellness Center, a 119-bed skilled nursing facility located in Austin, TX; and -- Cedar Pointe Health and Wellness Center, a 122-bed skilled nursing facility located in Cedar Park, TX.

The real estate for each of these operations was acquired by CareTrust REIT, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTRE) in the transaction and each operation will be added to an existing long-term, triple-net master lease, which is currently in place between Ensign affiliates and CareTrust.

We are excited to be growing in the Greater Austin area, which is a part of Texas we have been looking to grow in for some time. These acquisitions are a perfect fit both from a geographic and cultural perspective, said Barry Port, Ensign's Chief Executive Officer. We are again thrilled to be announcing our growing relationship with CareTrust and are excited to announce that, in connection with this transaction, CareTrust extended the applicable lease term by ten years. We continue to look forward to many more years of working together with CareTrust on these and future opportunities, he added.

Kevin Niccum, President of Keystone Care LLC, Ensigns Texas-based subsidiary, added These recently constructed facilities represent fantastic growth opportunities in the short-term and the long term. We look forward to working closely with an outstanding team of professionals that truly care about the residents and their families. This acquisition brings Ensign's growing portfolio to 242 healthcare operations, 22 of which also include senior living operations, across thirteen states. Ensign owns 95 real estate assets. Mr. Port reaffirmed that Ensign is actively seeking opportunities to acquire real estate and to lease both well-performing and struggling skilled nursing, senior living and other healthcare related businesses throughout the United States.

About EnsignTM

TheEnsign Group, Inc.'sindependent operating subsidiaries provide a broad spectrum of skilled nursing and senior living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies and other rehabilitative and healthcare services at 242 healthcare facilities, in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. More information about Ensign is available at http://www.ensigngroup.net.

About CareTrust

CareTrust REIT, Inc.is a self-administered, publicly-traded real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership, acquisition, development and leasing of skilled nursing, seniors housing and other healthcare-related properties. With a nationwide portfolio of long-term net-leased properties, and a growing portfolio of quality operators leasing them,CareTrust REITis pursuing both external and organic growth opportunities acrossthe United States. More information aboutCareTrust REITis available atwww.caretrustreit.com.

Contact Information

The Ensign Group, Inc., (949) 487-9500, ir@ensigngroup.net

SOURCE: The Ensign Group, Inc.