Founder Profile
Vencor, Inc. (spin-off)
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Background
Ventas has no individual founder. It was formed in 1998 when Vencor, Inc., a Louisville, Kentucky nursing-home and hospital operator founded by Bruce Lunsford, separated its real estate into Ventas and its operations into a new Vencor (later Kindred Healthcare). Debra A. Cafaro, often associated with the company, joined as CEO in 1999.
Founding Story
Ventas has no individual founder. It was formed in 1998 when Vencor, Inc., a Louisville, Kentucky nursing-home and hospital operator founded by Bruce Lunsford, separated its real estate into Ventas and its operations into a new Vencor (later Kindred Healthcare). Debra A. Cafaro, often associated with the company, joined as CEO in 1999.