<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001437749-24-005083.txt : 20240221
<SEC-HEADER>0001437749-24-005083.hdr.sgml : 20240221
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20240221172106
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001437749-24-005083
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20240216
FILED AS OF DATE:		20240221
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20240221

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ABERNATHY JAMES PAUL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001261687
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13489
		FILM NUMBER:		24661081

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2102 GREENLAND DRIVE
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37130

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001047335
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES [8051]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	08 Industrial Applications and Services
		IRS NUMBER:				522057472
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 E. VINE ST
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37130
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6158902020

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 E. VINE ST
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37130
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rdgdoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>OPTION EXERCISE
<TEXT>
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<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0508</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2024-02-16</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001047335</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NHC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001261687</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ABERNATHY JAMES PAUL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1523 MIRABELLA WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MURFREESBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37130</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <aff10b5One>0</aff10b5One>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Shares of Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2024-02-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1745</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>71.64</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>34883</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock [2021 Grant]</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>71.64</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2024-02-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1745</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2022-05-06</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2026-05-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5755</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock [2022 Grant]</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>69.1900</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2023-05-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-05-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock [2023 Grant]</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>55.7500</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2024-05-04</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-05-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These stock options were granted pursant to the 2020 Obmnibus Equity Incentive Plan on May 6, 2021. The grant and exercise of these stock options are exempt from Section 16(b) pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ J. Paul Abernathy by Kristina R. Hulsey, P.O.A.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-02-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>abernathypoa.htm
<TEXT>
<html><head>
	<title>nhc20240103_sec16.htm</title>

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<p style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 10pt; font-variant: normal; margin: 0pt; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 10pt; font-variant: normal; margin: 0pt; text-align: right;">Exhibit 24</p>

<p style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 10pt; font-variant: normal; margin: 0pt; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:center;margin:0pt;"><b>POWER OF ATTORNEY</b></p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;text-indent:36pt;">Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of Kristina R. Hulsey and Trevor W. Layland (each, an &#8220;attorney-in-fact&#8221;), or either one of them signing alone, and with full power of substitution, as the undersigned's true and lawful attorney-in-fact to:</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;text-indent:36pt;">(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;prepare, execute in the undersigned's name and on the undersigned's behalf, and submit to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a Form ID, including amendments thereto, and any other documents necessary or appropriate to obtain codes and passwords enabling the undersigned to make electronic filings with the SEC of reports required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation of the SEC;</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;text-indent:36pt;">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned's capacity as an officer and/or director of National HealthCare Corporation (the "Company"), Forms 3, 4, and 5 in accordance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules thereunder;</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;text-indent:36pt;">(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such Form 3, 4, or 5, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the SEC and any stock exchange or similar authority; and</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;text-indent:36pt;">(4)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact's discretion.</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;text-indent:36pt;">For the avoidance of doubt, any one attorney-in-fact may act in my name and stead pursuant to this Power of Attorney without the joinder or permission of the other attorney-in-fact or any required notice to them.</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;text-indent:36pt;">The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact's substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney and the rights and powers herein granted. The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not assuming, nor is the Company assuming, any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;text-indent:36pt;">This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer required to file Forms 3, 4, and 5 with respect to the undersigned's holdings of and transactions in securities issued by the Company, unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact.</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;text-indent:36pt;">IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:justify;margin:0pt;">be executed as of this <u>2nd</u> day of <u>November</u>, <u>2023</u>.</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:right;margin:0pt;">/s/ <u>James Paul Abernathy</u></p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:right;margin:0pt;">Signature</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:right;margin:0pt;">James Paul Abernathy</p>

<p style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;text-align:right;margin:0pt;">Filer Name</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;font-variant:normal;margin:0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

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