Hospices Flesh Out Leadership Suites

New executives have joined the ranks at four hospices. One Colorado-based organization revealed important responsibilities that leadership teams must oversee in today’s end-of-life care landscape.

Care Synergy Names New COO

Colorado-based Care Synergy has hired Dr. Emily Guth as its new chief operating officer.

Guth, a registered nurse and physician, steps into the role on Sep. 21 with more than 15 years of healthcare leadership experience. She previously served as director of clinical operations at the Colorado Community Health Alliance. Prior to that, Guth was vice president of clinical innovation at Evergreen Nephrology. Additionally, she held several healthcare leadership roles during upwards of 11 years at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Hospice and palliative care leaders must navigate several competing responsibilities to ensure sustainable access, said Tricia Ford, CEO elect at and hospice COO at Care Synergy. Ford also serves as COO of hospice and the organization’s affiliate Community Aging in Place – Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE).

“A chief operating officer has to make sure the organization is strong operationally while never losing sight of the people behind the work,” Ford told Hospice News in an email. “In hospice and palliative care, that means supporting our teams, maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance, and making sure patients and families can access compassionate care when they need it most.”

Guth is experienced in hospice, care management, palliative care and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Her background also spans clinical operations, organizational improvement and quality and regulatory compliance.

Guth’s will oversee Care Synergy’s care delivery, strategic execution and financial sustainability, among other duties. She will be responsible for leading the organization’s daily operations, including working closely with its affiliates’ presidents, frontline leaders and clinical teams.

Care Synergy is an organization of hospice and palliative care providers with services along Colorado’s Front Range region. The nonprofit’s affiliates include Colorado PACE, Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, Pathways Hospice, Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, Superior Medical Equipment, The Denver Hospice and its home-based program CAPABLE.

LifeCare Home Health & Hospice Family Taps New COO

Texas-headquartered LifeCare Home Health & Hospice Family has named Dr. Nasser Khan as its new president and COO.

Khan has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare operations, clinical medicine, strategy and organizational leadership. He was previously COO and group president of the behavioral health provider Acadia Healthcare (Nasdaq: ACHC). Khan has also held senior leadership roles at Biograph, DaVita Kidney Care (NYSE: DVA)and Shields Health Solutions.

Khan oversees operations across LifeCare’s portfolio of home-based services, which include hospice, home health, palliative and personal care, among others. These services are offered through the organization’s network of providers in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Arizona.

“Dr. Khan brings a rare combination of clinical insight, operational experience and demonstrated leadership at scale,” LifeCare CEO Dean Alverson said in an announcement. “As LifeCare continues to grow, his experience developing teams, strengthening operations and bringing organizations together will be invaluable. Most importantly, he understands that strong operations ultimately serve a larger purpose: helping our teams provide exceptional care to patients and families.”

Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice Announces New Executive Director

The board of directors at Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice has appointed Anne Stone as its new executive director. She succeeds Rachel Hammon.

The leadership change takes effect on Sep. 28 prior to Hammon’s retirement on Oct. 2. Hammon, a nurse, led the association for 25 years.

Stone has more than two decades of leadership experience at professional and trade associations. She previously served as executive director of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Stone has also held senior leadership roles with the Promotional Products Association International. She began her career in marketing communications and management.

“Anne joins TAHC&H ahead of a demanding legislative session, bringing the strengths in board governance, member engagement, and advocacy that this moment calls for,” the association said in a social media post.

Solara Hospice’s New ED, CFO

Massachusetts-based Solara Hospice recently announced Lenny Denenberg as its new executive director and CFO.

Denenberg previously served as vice president of finance and controller at Bear Mountain Healthcare. He held similar roles at Ascentria Care Alliance and Steward Home Care & Hospice.

Solara Hospice became Medicare-certified in 2022. The hospice geographic service region spans Middlesex County, Mass. Solara Hospice provides care in the home and across facility-based settings.