Image of nurses' hands at computer keyboard

Manor Care has tapped Stephen L. Guillard to be its new executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective January 1.

Guillard also was elected to the board of directors, effective immediately. He will be moving into the position vacated with the retirement of M. Keith Weikel this month. Toledo, OH-based Manor Care is the largest nursing home chain in the country by bed-size.

Guillard joined the company as executive vice president in June 2005 with responsibility for the company’s $3 billion skilled nursing, assisted living and rehabilitation businesses, as well as their related clinical services teams. As COO, he will add responsibility for the company’s hospice and home care operations, which exceed $500 million in annualized revenues.

A staunch player in the rise of the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, Guillard previously served as chairman and CEO of Harborside Healthcare Corp. He also co-founded Diversified Health Services, a privately held operator and contract manager of skilled nursing, assisted living and mental health centers.