Menlo Park nursing home will remain open Menlo Park nursing home will remain open (March 16, 2005)

** New owners take over Menlo Park Place, which was slated to be shut down by the state.

By Renee Batti

Almanac News Editor

A six-month license has been granted to the new owners of Menlo Park Place, a nursing home in Menlo Park that was to be shut down next month by the state under its former owner.

Yong and Christine Shinn, who own an adult day care center in the South Bay, took over the nursing home at 1275 Crane St. on March 1, Ms. Shinn said.

That was the day the Shinns' license to operate the facility was granted by the California Department of Health Services, according to department spokeswoman Norma Arceo.

The transfer of ownership and operation was critical to saving the facility. The prior owner, Catherine Joseph, had taken over Menlo Park Place last year on a temporary license. But because of numerous violations of state health and safety regulations, her application for a permanent license was denied, and the facility was set to close on April 7, Ms. Arceo said.

The Shinns, who own the Adult Day Health Care Center in Milpitas, have had no prior experience running nursing homes, Christine Shinn said. But, she told the Almanac several weeks ago, the couple and the team of professionals they put together "are really committed to it."

She said they have hired a consultant to create a plan to solve existing problems at the facility, which had 39 residents as of last week. Menlo Park Place is licensed for 160 beds.

The Shinns, who could not be reached for comment for this story, will be will be eligible for a second six-month license in late summer if there are no violations, or if violations are adequately dealt with, Ms. Arceo said.

A permanent license would be issued after that time if the owners meet state standards for nursing home care, she said.

Menlo Park Place is one of only two nursing homes in Menlo Park. A third home, University Convalescent Hospital, closed its doors earlier this year.

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