Compassus Makes Moves in C-Suite; Workforce Retention at Core of AccentCare’s Leadership Change

New COO Takes Helm at Compassus

Laura Templeton has risen through the ranks at Compassus, recently becoming its new COO and executive vice president.

Since joining the company in 2012, Templeton has served as senior vice president and chief of clinical operations. In the midst of a worsening industry-wide staffing shortage, Templeton was charged with retaining nurse leaders and preparing the pipeline of talent to fill those roles in the future.

“Templeton’s natural leadership skills and operational experience, combined with her nursing background, drive excellence across the enterprise to benefit patients and families that receive our care,” the company stated on its website.

Compassus is a portfolio company of the private equity firm Towerbrook Capital Partners and the health system Ascension Health. The Tennessee-based company offers community-based hospice, infusion therapy, home health, and palliative care across 200 locations in 30 states.

As COO Templeton will lead the company’s operations across all of its service lines. Compassus has built “a lot of momentum” throughout the year both in terms of staffing and operational growth, she said.

“We’re seeing some nice trends in our quality and service outcomes, especially with implementation of our care delivery model,” Templeton previously told Hospice News. “We’ve started some enhanced onboarding and training for our directors and our nurses, and we’re hearing great feedback from that.”

This is not the company’s only executive leadership change this year.

Compassus CEO David Grams took the helm in January, indicating that growth in workforce capacity and technology innovations would be top priorities for the company as it swivels into value-based care.

Staffing, quality-driven patient outcomes and payer partnerships will be key areas of focus for Compassus as it leverages its “full continuum” of care in an evolving value-based payment landscape, Grams told Hospice News when he took the helm.

AccentCare names David Cook chief people officer

David Cook, Jr. is stepping into the role of chief people officer at AccentCare.

Cook comes to AccentCare with nearly three decades of human resource experience behind him, including 15 years of senior leadership in health care. He was most recently senior vice president of human resources and chief people officer at Cincinnati-based TriHealth Health System.

“I am eager to utilize and promote the resources available at AccentCare that will attract and retain talent that will grow with the company,” Cook said in an announcement. “I want to celebrate the people who work here and the mission driven work that they accomplish.”

Dallas-headquartered AccentCare’s services span the home-based continuum and include hospice, home health and palliative care, as well as personal and non-medical care, among others. Its staff of 30,000 serve upwards of 210,000 patients across more than 260 locations in 30 states and the District of Columbia.

Cook will be charged with “fostering an environment of opportunity and growth” for AccentCare’s workforce, according to the company. Retention issues have proliferated across the hospice industry, with providers increasingly turning to different solutions to ebb the flow of turnover.

Among his retention strategies will be a focus on investing in staff who want to pursue personal and professional growth, which will lead to better patient outcomes and “a lasting competitive advantage,” for AccentCare, according to Cook.

The company most recently created new employee benefits programs by partnering with Chamberlain University and Walden University. Through the partnership, the company is offering online educational opportunities for staff seeking to advance their career.

“I am thrilled to welcome David onto our executive leadership team with his vast experience, and I know he is excited to dive in to work at AccentCare,” said the company’s CEO Stephan Rodgers in an statement.

Carolina Caring appoints new chief medical officer

Dr. Virginia Duany recently became the new chief medical officer of Carolina Caring.

The hospice, palliative and primary care provider offers care to both children and adults in North Carolina.

“We are thrilled that Duany has accepted the position as Carolina Caring’s chief medical officer,” President and CEO Dana Killian said in a press release. “Her knowledge and wealth of experience will be invaluable assets as we continue serving those with serious medical conditions in greater numbers than ever before.”

Duany brings nearly 15 years of health care experience and developing comprehensive medical plans for patients. She is currently a member of the American Osteopathic Association and American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

As CMO, Duany will oversee daily clinical operations at Caring Carolina and guide its interdisciplinary teams to ensure the “highest quality of medical care is delivered” as the organization continues to “rapidly expand,” the provider indicated in a statement.

Established in 1979, the nonprofit organization was one of three original hospice providers in the state of North Carolina. Caring Carolina’s service region includes 12 cities in the state’s western region.

“I am humbled and excited,” Duany said. “I’ve always been motivated by the opportunity to improve people’s lives, so leading our health care teams as they help our patients navigate their illnesses is rewarding on many levels.”

Houston Hospice selects HR VP to raise bar on recruitment competition

Texas-based Houston Hospice has named Darlene Berliner as its new vice president of human resources.

Berliner has more than 25 years in human resource leadership. She was previously the vice president of human resources for Zeno Manufacturing. Before that, she served as director of human resources at RediClinic.

At Houston Hospice, Berliner will oversee the development and implementation of its revised human resources strategies, including competitive compensation and employee benefits, as well as strengthening a diverse nursing workforce.

Key to the strategy will be a focus on employee relations, performance management, training and development opportunities, and establishing new recruitment and retention measures.

“Our people are our greatest asset, and this newly reprised role underscores our commitment to our clinical and office staff across the organization,” said Houston Hospice President and CEO Rana McClelland in an announcement. “Darlene will build upon our top-tier hospice team culture and expand upon the policies that support a positive work environment. She will pay special attention to the growing need for qualified nurses interested in hospice care and elevate our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program, talent management, and recruiting efforts as we continue to grow across Southeast Texas.”

Established in 1980, Houston Hospice is a nonprofit organization that serves 13 counties in southeast Texas.

Last year the organization partnered with the Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute to curb burnout among employees. Through the partnership, the hospice developed a wellness initiative to help staff cope with the stress of providing end-of-life care.

Houston Hospice is part of the Texas Medical Center health system. Berliner will work in close coordination with senior leadership at Texas Medical Center to ensure that policies and initiatives are aligned across the organization’s service region.

“I look forward to collaborating with leadership to develop new and competitive ways to recruit and retain registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses, as well as identify best practices that are in alignment with our mission to provide uncompromising, compassionate care to hospice patients and families in our community.”

Enclara Pharmacia appoints business development VP

Enclara Pharmacia recently appointed Tim Sanderson as its new vice president of business development.

In this role, Sanderson will lead staff in taking a “consultative approach” to helping hospices improve patient care and cost management, support their clinical staff, and maintain regulatory compliance, according to the company.

“Tim’s deep understanding of hospice needs and pharmacy networks supports our mission to provide custom solutions designed for the unique needs of each hospice organization,” Deanna Douglass, senior vice president of business development at Enclara, said. “He will help articulate our value proposition, not only as a pharmacy provider but as a trusted partner for hospices seeking to improve care, manage costs and embrace new opportunities.”

Sanderson has worked in sales and consulting within hospice and pharmaceutical networks for roughly 20 years. He previously worked in the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) sector and owned his firm, Pink Tie Consulting. He also taught finance, as well as mergers and acquisitions, at Oral Roberts University.

Philadelphia-based Enclara Pharmacia is a national full-service PBM and mail order supplier of medications and clinical services developed specifically for the hospice and palliative care industry.

Enclara works with more than 600 hospice providers and 115,000 patients nationwide. The PBM supplies mail ordered medications and clinical services specifically for hospice and palliative care providers. The company manages a network of more than 7,000 retail and institutional pharmacies, as well as its own automated fulfillment service.

Last year the company expanded its Neighborhood Connections network by adding on eight pharmacy members in Miami and Jacksonville, Florida.

“I’m grateful to join Enclara because it’s a mission-driven company that puts the patient at the center of everything it does,” Sanderson said. “Enclara has also made it our mission to provide personal service to hospices of all shapes and sizes, from the smallest not-for-profits and sole proprietors to some of the nation’s largest hospice providers. That’s something I am super excited to be a part of.”