Hospice Executive Evolutions Take Shape

Some hospice providers have recently undergone leadership changes at executive levels.

FrontPoint Health Appoints New CEO

Brent Korte has stepped down as CEO of Dallas-based Frontpoint Health. The company appointed Jay Wendt to succeed him.

Korte now serves in an advisory role to Frontpoint Health’s board of directors. He has served as past president for the Home Care Association of Washington. Korte’s previous roles include chief home care officer at EvergreenHealth, as well as secretary on the National Association for Home Care & Hospice’s (NAHC) board of directors. NAHC later merged with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization to form the National Alliance for Care at Home.

Wendt has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the industries of hospice, home and behavioral health, as well as durable medical equipment. He previously served as CEO at Stance Health Solutions, joining the company as COO in 2022. Prior to that, Wendt held similar C-suite roles at the prosthetic technology company Martin Bionics and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders.

“I am thrilled to announce Jay Wendt to the home health and hospice Industry,” Korte said in a social media post. “Jay is a seasoned executive, who has led companies in the post-acute space including DME, behavioral health, and [orthotics and prosthetics]. He’s the right person for the job, and one who will further elevate Frontpoint Health as we endeavor to expand our unique approach to home health and hospice as an industry innovator.”

Frontpoint Health launched more than four years ago, founded by a group of health care leaders, including Korte. The company has since grown through its purchases of organizations such as One Point Health, Dignity Hospice, Highland Hospice and High Plains Senior Care.

Dallas-based Frontpoint Health provides hospice, home health and palliative and personal care to more than 4,000 patients across upwards of 270 counties in Texas. The company is backed by Tacoma Holdings and by the private equity firm Cimarron Healthcare Capital.

Mayo Clinic President, CEO Steps Down

Mayo Clinic President and CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia has announced his departure.

Farrugia has led the Minnesota-headquartered organization since January 2019. He has held several roles at Mayo Clinic since 1994, including professor of both physiology and medicine at its College of Medicine and Science. Farrugia was also director of Mayo Clinic’s Enteric NeuroScience Program, as well as its Center for Individualized Medicine, among other roles.

Under Farrugia’s leadership came the establishment of the artificial intelligence-enabled Mayo Clinic Platform. He has steered the organization through a technology evolution in chronic and acute care delivery, said Richard Davis, board of trustees chair at the Mayo Clinic.

“Dr. Farrugia’s tenure has helped position Mayo Clinic at the forefront of a rapidly changing health care landscape,” Davis said in a statement. “His leadership has strengthened our ability to innovate, collaborate and meet the evolving needs of patients around the world. We are grateful for his contributions and confident that Mayo Clinic is prepared to continue delivering excellence to those we serve and lead the future of health care.”

Mayo Clinic has launched a leadership transition process to appoint its next president and CEO, anticipating to fill the role by Jan. 1, 2027.

The nonprofit organization was founded roughly 150 years ago by Will and Charlie Mayo. The organization has locations in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, as well as in London.

The Mayo Clinic Health System operates in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The hospital-based health system provides hospice, emergency medicine and palliative, primary and home care, among a range of other services.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Taps New Executive Director

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice has appointed Lee Ellison as its new executive director.

Ellison joined the New Jersey-based hospice in 2016 as a marketing director. Most recently, she served as director of marketing and media/business development and interim COO at the organization.

Ellison is the former director of circulation at the New Jersey Herald, serving in management roles during a nearly 30-year tenure at the publication. She is a certified end-of-life doula and instructor.

Ellison has played a “pivotal role” in program development, community engagement and strategic growth initiatives at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, the organization’s board of trustees said in a press release.

“Lee Ellison embodies the mission, values and vision of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice,” the board of trustees said. “Her knowledge, proven leadership and unwavering commitment to compassionate end‑of‑life care make her exceptionally well‑prepared to lead the organization into its next chapter.”

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice provides hospice, palliative and bereavement care in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Founded in 1980 by Julia and Joseph Quinlan, the nonprofit was branded in memoriam of their deceased daughter.

Lamoille Home Health & Hospice’s Executive Director Retires

Lamoille Home Health & Hospice Executive Director Kathy Demars has announced her retirement. She is succeeded by Erica Scott.

Demars has served at the hospice’s helm for more than 30 years. She has helped the organization navigate through challenges such as evolving health care regulations, staffing issues, a cyber-attack and rising demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scott joined Lamoille Home Health & Hospice in 2021, previously serving as its assistant executive director. Prior to that, she was office manager at Dubois Construction Inc, event coordinator at The Green Mountain Inn and served in customer service roles at People’s United Bank and Northfield Savings Bank.

“The board is confident in Erica’s ability to lead the organization while supporting the dedicated team that makes this critical work possible,” the hospice’s board of directors told local news.

Lamoille Home Health & Hospice has provided care since 1971 and currently serves 11 cities across Vermont. The nonprofit provides hospice, home health, palliative, personal and maternal child care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation, among other services.