Welltower cuts ties with troubled nursing home operator Blade, The (Toledo, OH) Mar. 3—Toledo-based Welltower Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), said it is largely severing its relationship with financially troubled Genesis HealthCare, an operator of rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, and assisted-living complexes in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, which Welltower has been connected to for 10 years. In April, 2011, when it was named Health Care REIT Inc., Welltower paid $2.4 billion for 147 healthcare facilities owned by Genesis. Welltower said late Tuesday it will terminate leases with 51 Genesis-owned properties and has agreed to pay an $86 million termination fee. $682 million. Thirty-five will be sold for