Waterview Heights Nursing Home Closed Following Violations
The Rochester facility shuttered after operating without required state health certification.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
Live Poll
Do you trust your local government to effectively monitor the safety standards of nursing home operators?
Waterview Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has closed amid reports of resident neglect and abuse. The facility was operated by The Grand Healthcare System without obtaining necessary Department of Health certification.
Why it matters
The closure highlights significant lapses in oversight, as the operator allegedly bypassed mandatory character and competence reviews. State officials are now investigating potential loopholes in the process used to transfer nursing home licenses.
The Grand Healthcare System settled federal fraud allegations for $21.3 million in 2024. As of 2025, 76 percent of the 21 nursing homes owned by the firm in New York held one or two-star ratings.
The players
The Grand Healthcare System
This organization is a private operator that owned 21 nursing homes in New York in 2025.
Bob Hurlbut
He is the former owner who sold the Waterview Heights facility to The Grand Healthcare System.
The details
Although Bob Hurlbut sold the facility to The Grand Healthcare System in July 2022, Hurlbut Care Communities remained the holder of the Department of Health license. The transfer of the operating license was never approved by the state, yet the facility continued to operate under the new ownership.
Timeline
July 2022: Bob Hurlbut sold the facility to Grand Healthcare.
2024: The Grand settled a federal whistleblower lawsuit for $21.3 million.
February 16, 2025: Tammy Werth described the facility's staffing conditions.
Market Landscape
This event reflects broader instability within New York's nursing home industry, where operators may bypass the Public Health and Health Planning Council character and competence review. It positions regulators against a growing trend of complex ownership transfers that prioritize expansion over facility oversight.
The closure of Waterview Heights necessitates that families immediately identify alternative care placements for affected residents. Residents and their families should contact state agencies for guidance on the transfer of medical records and continuity of care.
The takeaway
Maintaining transparency in healthcare facility ownership is essential for ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance. Consumers should verify the certification status of nursing home operators when evaluating potential care providers for their loved ones.
Further reading
For more information on the current state of local facilities, visit the Rochester Nursing Jobs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHEC.
Live Poll
Do you trust your local government to effectively monitor the safety standards of nursing home operators?
