UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Original Filing
(Name of Issuer)
VistaCare, Inc.
(Title of Class of Securities)
Common Stock
(Cusip Number)
92839Y109
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Dec-03
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this
Schedule is Filed:
[ x ] Rule 13d-1(b)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities,
and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that
section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provision of the Act
(however, see the Notes).
Cusip Number
92839Y109
1. Name of Reporting Persons.
I.R.S. identification Nos. of above persons (entities only)
Next Century Growth Investors, LLC - 41-1923871
2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
(a)
(b)
3. SEC Use Only
4. Citizenship or Place of Organization Delaware
Number of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person with:
5. Sole Voting Power
0
6. Shared Voting Power
1,121,607
7. Sole Dispositive Power
0
8. Shared Dispositive Power
1,121,607
9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 7.1%
10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See
Instructions)
N/A
11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 7.1%
12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IA
Cusip Number
92839Y109
1. Name of Reporting Persons.
I.R.S. identification Nos. of above persons (entities only) Thomas L. Press
2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
(a)
(b)
3. SEC Use Only
4. Citizenship or Place of Organization U.S.A.
Number of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person with:
5. Sole Voting Power
0
6. Shared Voting Power
1,121,607
7. Sole Dispositive Power
0
8. Shared Dispositive Power
1,121,607
9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 7.1%
10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See
Instructions)
N/A
11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 7.1%
12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IN
Item 1(a). The name of the issuer is:
VistaCare, Inc.
Item 1(b). The principal executive office of the issuer is:
4800 North Scottsdale Road Suite 5000 Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Item 2(a). The names of the persons filing this statement are:
Next Century Growth Investors, LLC, Thomas L. Press
and Donald M. Longlet
The persons filing this Schedule 13G have entered into a Joint Filing
Agreement, a copy of which is filed with this statement as Exhibit 1,
pursuant to which such persons have agreed to file this Schedule 13G
jointly in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-1(k) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The persons filing this Schedule 13G
are of the view that they are not acting as a "group" for purposes of
Section 13(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 2(b). The Principal business office of Next Century Growth Investors, LLC
Thomas L. Press and Donald M. Longlet is:
5500 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 1275 Minneapolis, MN 55416
Item 2(c). Next Century Growth Investors, LLC is a Delaware limited liability
company, and Thomas L. Press and Donald M. Longlet are citizens of the
U.S.A.
Item 2(d). This Statement relates to shares of the common stock of the
Issuer (the "Stock")
Item 2(e). The CUSIP number of the Stock is: 92839Y109
Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to ss.ss.240.13d-1(b) or
240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a). [ ] Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act
(15 U.S.C. 78o).
(b). [ ] Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).
(c ). [ ] Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act
(15 U.S.C. 78c)
(d). [ ] Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8).
(e). [ x ] An investment adviser in accordance with
ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E).
This Schedule 13G is being filed by Next Century Growth Investors, LLC
as a registered investment adviser. The Stock to which this Schedule
13G relates is held in investment advisory accounts of Next Century
Growth Investors, LLC.
(f). [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with
ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).
(g). [ x ] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with
ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).
This Schedule 13G is also being filed by Thomas L. Press, who serves as
Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Next Century Growth
Investors, LLC and Donald M. Longlet, who serves as Director and
President of Next Century Growth Investors, LLC. Mr. Press and Mr.
Longlet each own in excess of 25% of Next Century Growth Investors, LLC
and are controlling persons of Next Century Growth Investors, LLC.
(h). [ ] A savings associations as defined in section 3(b) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(I). [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment
company under section 3(c )(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
(15 U.S.C. 80a-3).
(j). [ ] Group, in accordance with ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).
Item 4. Ownership*
The Stock to which this Schedule 13G relates may be deemed beneficially
owned within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 by (1) Next Century Growth Investors, LLC by virture of its
investment discretion and/or voting power over client securities,
which may be revoked; and (2) Thomas L. Press and Donald M. Longlet,
as a result of their positions with and ownership positions in Next
Century Growth Investors, LLC, which could be deemed to confer upon
each of them voting and/or investment power over the shares. Each of
Next Century Growth Investors, LLC, Thomas L. Press and Donald M.
Longlet disclaim beneficial ownership of the Stock except to the extent
of each of their respective pecuniary interested therein, if any, and
the filing of this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission
by any of such persons that it is the beneficial owner of the Stock.
See Items 5-9 and 11 on the cover page for each filer.
Item 5. Ownership of five percent or less of a Class
If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date
hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of
more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following
[ ].
Item 6. The Stock to which this Schedule 13G relates is held in investment
advisory accounts "of Next Century Growth, LLC. As a result, various
persons have the right to receive or" "the power to direct the receipt
of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of," the securities. No
such account is known to have such an interest relating to more than 5%
of the class.
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary which acquired the
security
being reported on by the parent holding company:
Not Applicable
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group:
Not Applicable
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group:
Not Applicable
Item 10. Certification
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in
the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held
for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the
control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are
not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction
having that purpose or effect.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of our knowledge and belief, the
undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
Dated: February 13, 2004
Next Century Growth Investors, LLC
By: /s/ Thomas L. Press
Thomas L. Press
Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Donald M. Longlet
Donald M. Longlet
President
Exhibit A
JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Acto of 1934,
the undersigned persons agree and consent to the joint filing on their behalf
of a statement on Schedule 13G, including amendments thereto, in connection
with respect to shares of common stock of VistaCare, Inc. IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Joint Filing Agreement on
February 13, 2004.
NEXT CENTURY GROWTH INVESTORS, LLC
By: /s/ Thomas L. Press
Thomas L. Press, Chief Executive Officer
THOMAS L. PRESS
By: /s/ Thomas L. Press
Thomas L. Press
DONALD M. LONGLET
By: /s/ Donald M. Longlet
Donald M. Longlet