AccentCare CEO Steve Rodgers is stepping down, with Laura Tortorella, COO of Steward Health, lined up to succeed him.
Rodgers became AccentCare’s top executive in 2012 after more than three years as the CEO of OptumHealth Collaborative Care. Optum is now a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH).
A major achievement during Rodgers’ tenure at the Dallas-based hospice, home health and palliative care provider was the company’s 2020 merger with Illinois-based Seasons Hospice & Palliative. The deal made AccentCare one of the nation’s largest hospice providers.
“I have had the honor of working with an incredible team at AccentCare for more than a decade,” Rodgers said in a statement. “During that time, the organization has experienced growth through the expansion of existing services into new markets, creation of joint ventures with leading health systems, acquisitions and mergers and the addition of new care offerings. Looking back to where we started and seeing where we stand now, I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished, and I look forward to working with Laura as she assumes the role of CEO.”
Hospice News heard rumors about a CEO change early on Thursday but was unable to independently confirm the details, but the change was reported by another health care newsroom. AccentCare announced the news early Thursday evening.
Dallas-headquartered AccentCare is a portfolio company of the private equity firm Advent International, offering hospice, palliative care, personal care, non-medical services, home health, care management and high-acuity home care. The company operates more than 260 locations in 31 states, caring for 210,000 patients and families annually.
AccentCare has been focused on growth in recent years, with joint ventures with health system and physician groups as a key driver, Rodgers told Hospice News in January.
“Our focus right now and where we’re seeing the majority of our activity is continuing expansion over joint venture strategy,” Rodgers said. “Actually taking over hospital-based assets, transforming those assets and creating the partnerships are transforming marketplaces for us — and are creating the right level and kind of partnerships.”
Tortorella, his successor, has been COO at Steward Health Care since November of 2020. She previously served as the company’s executive vice president of operations, as well as other leadership positions.
Steward Health Care is an integrated health system that operates 33 community hospitals across nine states, with more than 30,000 employees. The company also includes a medical group, urgent care centers and Steward Health Choice, a managed risk insurance platform that covers 680,000 beneficiaries in three states.
“I am honored and thrilled to join AccentCare. I keenly understand the importance of high-quality post-acute care services in my role helping lead one of the nation’s largest health systems,” Tortorella said in a press release. “For patients, family members, referring clinicians and health systems, it can be difficult to find a clinical partner in post-acute care. The role that AccentCare plays in our health care system is vital, and I look forward to working with the 30,000 compassionate AccentCare professionals across the nation to meet the country’s growing post-acute care needs.”
