PITTSFIELD — Integritus Healthcare is proactively addressing workforce challenges in long-term care by developing its own employment pipeline. The Pittsfield-based organization identified the need for skilled personnel in the sector, which has become increasingly strained since the COVID-19 pandemic. As the demand for long-term care is projected to rise sharply, Integritus has taken significant steps to ensure a steady supply of qualified workers.
Since launching its first strategic plan in 2009, Integritus has successfully guided approximately 200 individuals into nursing careers. This initiative has involved nearly $3 million in investments aimed at supporting higher education, training, and career development. Through these efforts, the organization has assisted 70 registered nurses and 84 licensed practical nurses, with 19 nurses earning Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.
Integritus CEO William Jones emphasized the importance of these initiatives. “As nurses and aides retired or left the industry altogether, we’ve come to the other side of the pandemic with this challenge,” he said. The organization offers a range of services, including independent senior living, rehabilitation, memory care, and hospice. To address staffing shortages, Integritus has relied on “traveling nurse” staffing services, which come with significant costs that are ultimately passed to long-term care facilities.
“We’re not alone,” Jones stated, acknowledging that many organizations face similar staffing challenges. Strengthening and retaining the workforce not only creates jobs in the region but also enables Integritus to operate more efficiently. The partnership with McCann Tech exemplifies this commitment. Integritus covers tuition, books, and uniforms for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) wishing to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Recently, the organization began compensating individuals attending classes as if they were working, a move designed to support those balancing education with personal responsibilities.
The collaboration with Berkshire Community College has also yielded positive results, particularly as the state now offers free community college tuition. Jones noted, “We’re having some good results this year,” pointing to improvements in net hires compared to the previous year. While the process of filling vacancies takes time, Integritus remains committed to making necessary investments for the future.
Employing 2,850 people, Integritus has a substantial presence in Pittsfield and throughout Berkshire County, which includes facilities in Greenfield, Leeds, Holyoke, East Longmeadow, Danvers, Peabody, New Bedford, Bourne, and South Yarmouth. The organization operates 15 skilled nursing centers with a total of 1,950 beds and four senior housing communities comprising 227 independent living units and 1,789 assisted living units. Jones expressed pride in the workforce, stating, “We have a terrific group of people who do a remarkable job making a difference in the lives of the people they serve.”
As the region’s population ages, the demand for long-term care is expected to increase. According to data from the 2020 U.S. Census, 36 percent of the county’s population is aged 60 or older, with individuals aged 60 to 69 making up the largest demographic at 18 percent. In August, the Viability and Sustainability of Long-term Care Facilities Task Force, led by Governor Maura Healey, highlighted that Massachusetts may face a deficit of skilled nursing beds by 2035, potentially occurring as soon as 2029.
In response to these challenges, Integritus is investing in the future, partnering with Berkshire Mall owners to propose a $100 million senior housing community with 420 units and commercial retail space. Jones explained, “If there truly is a need for additional senior housing in the Berkshires, we want to be involved in that.”
Despite financial pressures, particularly from Medicaid reimbursements that often do not cover the cost of care, Jones expressed optimism. “Massachusetts increased its Medicaid payments as of October 1,” he noted, appreciating local advocacy for support. Integritus entered the pandemic with a strong balance sheet and has managed to maintain a robust financial position post-pandemic, reporting revenues of $301 million in 2024, reflecting an 11.3 percent increase.
Jones affirmed the organization’s commitment to remaining independent, stating, “We’re not for sale. Our roots are over 100 years deep here in the Berkshires.” He emphasized the responsibility that comes with being the largest not-for-profit post-acute operator in the state, reiterating their dedication to providing high-quality services for the long term.
