Pennant Expands Wyoming Footprint with Healing Hearts Acquisition, Defying Industry slowdown
Pennant Group, Inc., a leading provider of home health, hospice, adn senior living services, has strategically expanded its presence in Wyoming with the acquisition of Healing Hearts Home Health and its affiliated outpatient therapy operation. The deal, finalized on Monday, underscores Pennant’s continued commitment to growth in the home-based care sector, even as some competitors are pausing acquisitions due to challenging market conditions.
Healing Hearts, previously owned by a group of Wyoming medical professionals, provides vital home health, non-medical home care, and outpatient therapy services across seven communities in the state, specifically focusing on Gillette and Moorcroft. Importantly, both the home health agency and therapy operation will maintain their established brands, ensuring continuity of care for existing patients.
Navigating a Complex Landscape
The home health industry is currently facing headwinds. A proposed important cut to Medicare home health reimbursement rates for 2026 is causing uncertainty. This has led some providers, like New Day Healthcare, to slow down acquisition activity.
However, Pennant is bucking this trend. “Health care should meet people where they are,” explains brent Guerisoli, CEO of Pennant.”By expanding our home health and outpatient therapy network, we can now serve more Wyoming residents with the same compassionate and personalized care our communities have come to trust.”
Pennant’s aggressive Growth Strategy
This acquisition isn’t an isolated event.Pennant has remained actively engaged in strategic acquisitions, demonstrating a clear growth trajectory.recent moves include:
July 2025: Acquisition of GrandCare Health Services in Southern California.
Ongoing: Plans to acquire 38-50 agencies divested by Amedisys and UnitedHealth Group following their recent merger – a deal valued between $113 million and $147 million.
Continued Pipeline: Guerisoli stated in May the company is actively evaluating further acquisition opportunities.
This proactive approach highlights Pennant’s confidence in its business model and its ability to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape.
A Localized Approach to Care
Pennant differentiates itself through a localized operating model. this approach is particularly well-suited to the unique challenges faced by providers in the Intermountain West.
“Our local operating model has proven uniquely suited to the challenges that face providers in the Intermountain West,” says John Gochnour, president and COO of Pennant. “This acquisition strengthens our ability to invest in people and programs that will improve care delivery across Eastern Wyoming.”
What This Means for You
If you or a loved one requires home health or outpatient therapy services in Wyoming, this acquisition means increased access to quality care. Pennant’s commitment to a localized approach ensures that services will be tailored to the specific needs of the community.
Pennant, based in Eagle, Idaho, now encompasses over 120 home health and hospice agencies operating across 14 states. The company’s continued expansion signals a strong belief in the future of home-based care and its vital role in supporting aging populations and improving healthcare access.
Resources:
WayBack Machine Archive of Healing Hearts Home Health
Home Healthcare News – Mixed Home-Based Care Dealmaking Outlook
Home Healthcare News – Proposed Medicare Home Health Rate Cut
Home Healthcare News – New Day Healthcare Slows Dealmaking
[Home Healthcare News –