Advocat Inc., which operates 48 skilled nursing centers, changed its name to Diversicare Healthcare Services as of March 15. Its facilities already operated under the Diversicare name, and President and CEO Kelly J. Gill said the name change is to unify branding.

The company is also expanding into a new region, with the $15.5 million purchase of five SNFs in Kansas. The Tennessee-based company currently operates in the Southeast and Southwest.

The acquisitions are expected to be finalized in the second quarter of this year.