Mission To provide the highest quality of care and customer service to our residents and their families through the use of best practices, highly trained staff and innovative programs and services designed to meet their needs.
Description Since its establishment in 1984, Athena Health Care Systems has evolved into a privately owned, for-profit leader in long-term care management. With more than 4,000 dedicated employees, Athena positively impacts the lives of thousands of patients, residents, and their families each year. Athena, headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, was formed by a group of like-minded individuals with a diversified background in healthcare. Through the years, multiple centers were constructed under the guidance of the Athena team, while others were acquired. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024, Athena remains committed to these values while operating a network of 15 Massachusetts skilled nursing centers, four hospice agencies throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, as well as a private-duty agency and skilled nursing facility in Connecticut. Under the leadership of founding partner President and CEO Larry Santilli, Athena Health Care Systems was built on the core principle of “Protecting the Quality of Life,” paired with a strategy of steady and deliberate growth. Athena employs a team of highly qualified professionals who bring a diverse background in management experience, covering all facets of healthcare and business management to the continuum. Their knowledge is deep, their approach is creative and informed, and their expertise is varied – including day-to-day operations, financial management, regulatory compliance, clinical care, public relations, marketing, and much more. Athena and its affiliates are prepared to navigate the challenges of the ever-changing healthcare profession. Athena has a penchant for creative thinking, a history of strategies that work, and a proven track record of success.
Athena Health Care Systems has an employee rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 140 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Athena Health Care Systems employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Healthcare industry (3.4 stars).
Overall, 16% of employees would recommend working at Athena Health Care Systems to a friend. This is based on 140 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor.
58% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Athena Health Care Systems as positive. Candidates give an average difficulty score of 2.5 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) for their job interview at Athena Health Care Systems.
Sharecare is the digital health company that helps people manage all their health in one place. The Sharecare platform provides each person – no matter where they are in their health journey – with a comprehensive and personalized health profile, where they can dynamically and easily connect to the information, evidence-based programs and health professionals they need to live their healthiest, happiest and most productive life. With award-winning and innovative frictionless technologies, scientifically validated clinical protocols and best-in-class coaching tools, Sharecare helps providers, employers and health plans effectively scale outcomes-based health and wellness solutions across their entire populations.
Wachusett Healthcare: Growth, Compassion, and Quality Care:
Over the past eight years, Wachusett Healthcare has grown from a single-facility operation into a respected and thriving network of skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers across Connecticut. Our journey began with a simple, yet powerful mission: to deliver exceptional, compassionate care that supports individuals through life’s most vulnerable moments. Founded with the vision of raising the standard in post-acute and long-term care, Wachusett Healthcare has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of our communities while staying true to the values of quality, dignity, and respect.
Our Foundation and Philosophy:
Wachusett Healthcare was established in response to a critical need in the healthcare continuum: providing high-quality, personalized skilled nursing care that bridges the gap between hospital and home. Recognizing the challenges faced by patients and families navigating complex medical recoveries, our founders sought to create an environment where clinical excellence and heartfelt compassion could coexist. From day one, we have been driven by our motto—“Discover the difference of quality care.” It serves as both a promise and a call to action for every member of our team.
Growth and Expansion
In just eight years, Wachusett Healthcare has expanded to include four premier facilities across the state: Harbor Village Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in New London, Villa Maria Nursing & Rehabilitation in Plainfield, Parkway Pavilion Health and Rehabilitation Center in Enfield, and most recently, Beechwood Health & Rehabilitation in New London, which joined our family in 2025. Each acquisition and expansion has been strategic and purposeful, aimed at strengthening our capacity to deliver consistent, high-quality care while maintaining a strong presence in the communities we serve.
Our growth has not only been in scale, but in scope. We have broadened our clinical capabilities, introduced specialized services, and invested in state-of-the-art equipment and staff training to support our mission. From short-term rehabilitation and long-term care to memory support, respite care, and palliative and hospice services, Wachusett Healthcare now provides a full continuum of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of our patients.
Clinical Excellence and Specialty Services
One of our proudest accomplishments has been the elevation of clinical services across our facilities. In recent years, we’ve partnered with leading post-acute providers to enhance patient outcomes, implemented advanced therapy modalities, and expanded our rehabilitation programs. In 2024, we introduced Physiatry services, focusing on restoring physical function through targeted treatments like physical therapy and pain management.
Our interdisciplinary care teams include physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and support staff who work collaboratively to develop customized care plans. We place a strong emphasis on evidence-based practices, continuity of care, and transparent communication with families—ensuring our patients not only recover, but thrive.
The People We Serve:
At the heart of Wachusett Healthcare are the residents and patients we care for every day. We serve individuals recovering from surgeries, strokes, and other serious health events, as well as seniors who require long-term assistance with daily living. Many come to us at a time of uncertainty, and it’s our privilege to be their guide and support through recovery and beyond. Our customer base includes adults of all ages, often referred from hospitals, physicians, and families who trust us with their loved ones.
Culture and Community:
Wachusett Healthcare isn’t just a network of facilities—it’s a community. Over the years, we've become an integral part of the neighborhoods we operate in, building strong relationships with local hospitals, senior service organizations, and community groups. We regularly host events, support local initiatives, and welcome volunteers, entertainers, and school groups who help bring joy and connection to our residents.
Mission and Vision
Our mission is clear: to improve the lives of those we serve through clinical excellence, compassionate care, and community engagement. We envision a future where every patient who walks through our doors experiences not just recovery, but restoration of hope and purpose. We are committed to being a trusted leader in post-acute and long-term care, known for innovation, integrity, and humanity.
Looking Ahead:
As we reflect on our accomplishments, we remain focused on the road ahead. 2025 and beyond present new opportunities for growth, partnerships, and continuous improvement.
Conclusion:
Wachusett Healthcare has a vision rooted in the desire to make a difference. Today, it is a thriving reality—anchored by dedicated professionals, strengthened by community trust, and guided by an unwavering commitment to care.