Navajo Housing Authority Transfers Two Former Nursing Home Facilities to Sage Memorial Hospital

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2025

GANADO, Ariz. – The Navajo Housing Authority (NHA) officially transferred two former nursing home facilities to Sage Memorial Hospital (SMH) in a signing ceremony held on July 24 at the Ganado Nursing Home. Ernest Franklin, Chief Operations Officer for the Navajo Housing Authority, attended the event on behalf of NHA, joining SMH leaders in celebrating this special event.

The transfer was approved through Resolution NHA-5310-2025, approving a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to allow SMH to take ownership and management of the facilities formerly known as the Ganado Group Home, (7,809 sq. ft., 24-bed assisted living facility), and the Cornfields Group Home, (6,130 sq. ft., 16-bed assisted living facility). Both homes, vacant since 2020 and in need of repair due to environmental damage.

Melinda White, CEO of SMH, expressed her deep appreciation for the partnership. “We sincerely thank the Navajo Housing Authority and their board of commissioners for their partnership and trust in Sage Memorial Hospital,” said White. “This partnership allows us to expand essential healthcare services, particularly for our elders, ensuring they receive the quality care they deserve close to home.”

“Our commitment aligns with their [NHA] vision of ‘Providing a Stable Foundation for Families to Live, Grow and Walk in Beauty.’ Together, we can honor this mission by ensuring these facilities support the health and well-being of our community,” White added. “We are grateful for the NHA Board’s action and look forward to restoring these facilities to serve our communities for years to come.”

SMH board chair Dolores Noble shared heartfelt sentiments on behalf of the board and community, stating in Navajo, “Nihijéí tł’ááhdéͅéͅ’ ahéhee’. Nihee ‘ajooba binahjíͅ nihahastóí, nihizáanii ts’ída beełt’éego baa ‘ádhwiilyáͅą dooleeł. Háála bits’áͅáͅdóó dahosiidlíͅíͅ, nihíne’ dahazlíͅíͅ’.” She continued, “We want to express our sincere appreciation to the NHA, for giving us the means to provide a safe and supportive home for our elderly people allowing us to give back to those who once cared for us.”

As healthcare professionals and family members, it is our responsibility and honor to support our elderly relatives and continue to provide them with the loving environment they deserve – Relatives taking care of relatives, nIhik’éí bá, Nitsaago ahéhee’ Noble explained.

Chair Noble later reflected on the blessings the hospital has obtained including the soon to come labor and delivery services as well as the potential of the newly acquired facilities from NHA. “Just like the design of our Navajo basket we’ve woven a complete circle honoring the journey of life from birth to the care of our parents and grandparents —we have come full circle.”

Ernest Franklin, Chief Operations Officer for NHA, attended the signing ceremony and reflected on the significance of the project and its promising partnership with SMH. “The whole purpose of that relationship was to provide homes for the elderly, and especially for the elderlies in this community,” said Franklin. “Now that we have a relationship with Sage Memorial, I am looking forward to seeing this building facility come back to life, with giving people hope and joy and peace in their lives, as they go through their final stages in life – being there, and having their family with them.”

As part of its FY2025 strategic plan, SMH has committed a substantial investment to renovate and upgrade the two facilities. Restoration efforts are set to begin as soon as possible; to bring the facilities to full operational capacity and ensuring they meet all health and safety standards. The Ganado facility will be restored honoring its longstanding legacy of elder care, while the Cornfields facility is under consideration for expanded services, potentially including an outpatient clinic or a behavioral health unit.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Christian Bigwater
Director of Public Relations/Marketing
christian.bigwater@sagememorial.com
Office – (928) 755-4532
Cell – (928) 221-4205