Christopher Rinn Named CEO of VNA Health Group
Christopher Rinn this August will become president and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group (VNAHG), succeeding Dr. Steven Landers.
Rinn has been CEO of VNA of Central New Jersey Community Health Centers (CHC) since 2017. Previously, he was acting health commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Health and executive director of emergency medical services (EMS) and government affairs for Jersey City Medical Center.
“Christopher is a compassionate servant leader with a deep passion for public health and a drive to ensure high-quality services are provided to the community,” Landers said in a statement. “As a respected health care policy and public health leader, Christopher is an excellent fit for our future.”
VNA Health Group is a multi-state provider of home health, hospice, primary care and public health services, among others.
The organization’s clinic conducts more than 1 million home visits to patients annually and maintains partnerships and joint ventures with a range of providers, including home-visiting physician companies, palliative medicine physician services, federally qualified community health centers and LGBTQ+ health services.
At VNAHG, Rinn will lead a staff of 2,400 who serve an average daily census of more than 12,000 patients.
Aveanna’s CFO David Afshar Resigns
David Afshar, CFO of Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAH), is stepping down as of July 7. He is also the company’s principal accounting officer and principal financial officer.
He is leaving to pursue other opportunities and not as a result of any disagreements with Aveanna management, policies or practices, the company indicated in a press release.
“Since joining the company in February 2018, Dave has been instrumental in building and strengthening our finance team and successfully leading our transition into the public markets,” Aveanna CEO Jeff Shaner said in an announcement. “We appreciate his support during this transition period, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
This is the second c-suite transition in as many years at Aveanna. Shaner became the company’s top executive following the 2022 departure of Tony Strange.
Matt Buckhalter, the SVP of finance, will serve as interim CFO and principal financial officer. Debbie Stewart will be appointed as the SVP and principal accounting officer.
“I am excited for this next chapter at Aveanna promoting both Matt and Debbie into key financial leadership roles,” Shaner said. “They have a strong command of our business and a passion for our mission. Matt and Debbie will join our executive leadership team and provide stability to our already tenured accounting and finance team.”
Evan Hyatt Returns to Pathways as President
Pathways recently announced that Evan Hyatt is returning to the company as its president. Hyatt previously was the organization’s CEO and president from 2008 and 2016.
In the intervening years, Hyatt was executive director of operations for Kaiser Permanente in Northern Colorado. He joined Care Synergy in 2019 as vice president of marketing and development.
Care Synergy provides back-office and administrative support to a network of nonprofit, home-based care providers, primarily in Colorado. Its affiliates include the Colorado Visiting Nurse Association (CVNA), The Denver Hospice, Pathways, and Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, among others.
Hyatt first came to Pathways through the marketing department in 2001. At that time, the organization was called Hospice of Larimer County. The nonprofit has provided hospice care in two Colorado counties since 1978.
“Pathways is excited to add Hyatt as the president of the organization, “stated Tim Bowen, president and CEO of Care Synergy. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in care for individuals with advanced illnesses that will benefit the patients and loved ones Pathways serves.”
Nicole McCann-Davis Named VP, Chief Health Equity Officer for Empassion Health
Nicole McCann-Davis, formerly of Eversana InTouch and AccentCare, has been named vice president of communications and chief health equity officer for Empassion Health.
Empassion operates four regional Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) oriented around home-based care and hospice. Members include AccentCare, Centerwell, Enhabit Inc. (NASDAQ: EHAB), Pathways, Transition and Three Oaks Hospice, among many others.
Health equity has been a major focus throughout McCann-Davis’ career, at Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, then at AccentCare she was associate vice president of health equity and access. A newly created position in which she oversaw the company’s efforts to foster equity, diversity and inclusion among staff and its patient population.
Seasons and AccentCare merged in late 2020 and later unified under the AccentCare brand.
“This role will allow me the opportunity to utilize my passion, experience, and knowledge gained from Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, [the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)], and Eversana Intouch, to help those with advanced illnesses have more good days at home,” McCann-Davis said in a LinkedIn Post. “Increasing access to services for every eligible patient continues to be my North Star, and I’m excited to develop the necessary resources and partnerships to make progress.”
