Guaranteed Taps SVP of Strategic Growth; Nurses Step Into C-Suite at Hospice of the Piedmont, Hudson Valley Hospice

Guaranteed’s New SVP of Growth, Strategy

Tech-enabled hospice startup Guaranteed has named Ryan Malone as its new senior vice president of growth and strategy.

Before joining Guaranteed, Malone served as vice president of sales and partnerships at mental health provider Thriveworks since 2021. Previously, he was head of growth at Mavencare, and served in sales manager and director roles at Hometeam from 2013 to 2016.

“I’m ready to return to my roots (and the office) and join an amazing team at Guaranteed,” Malone said in a LinkedIn post. “Guaranteed Health is redefining the end-of-life-care experience by building a-first-of-its-kind technology and AI-enabled platform that supports patients, caregivers, providers and payers. Based in NYC and operating in LA, it feels great to be back at a #SeedStage company.”

California-based Guaranteed launched last year in August by founder and CEO Jessica McGlory. Its technology platform connects patients and family members to palliative and hospice nurses, social workers, spiritual coordinators and other interdisciplinary staff.

Guaranteed serves Medicare and Medicaid patients across five counties in southern California, including the Los Angeles region. The hospice provider’s strategic growth plans include a geographic stretch into Pennsylvania.

Guaranteed’s growth efforts are being fueled in part by a recent investment from Medicare Advantage Organization SCAN Group, a move towards expanding end-of-life care delivery among vulnerable aging adults, McGlory recently stated in an announcement. The dollar amount of the investment was undisclosed.

The funding follows a $6.5 million infusion of capital Guaranteed secured last year in a seed round led by the investment firm BrandProject. Precursor Ventures, Springbank Ventures, Lakehouse Ventures and Cake Ventures also participated in the round.

Chief Nursing Officer Steps Up as Hospice of the Piedmont’s CEO

Nancy Littlefield will take the helm as president and CEO of Virginia-based Hospice of the Piedmont upon the retirement of Ron Cottrell, effective Oct. 2.

Established in 1980, Hospice of the Piedmont provides community-based hospice and palliative care in Charlottesville, Virginia, and across 12 surrounding counties.

Cottrell has led the nonprofit hospice organization since September 2016.

Littlefield steps in to lead the organization after three decades of experience in the hospice and palliative care space.

“I look forward to being part of the wonderful legacy that Hospice of the Piedmont brings to our community,” Littlefield said in a recent announcement. “I am thrilled to be joining Hospice of the Piedmont and look forward to guiding the team to continue delivering on our mission and transforming how our community views and experiences the end of life.”

Littlefield was previously Riverside Health System’s executive vice president and chief nursing officer. In that role, she oversaw financial and clinical operations and service outcomes across the health system’s network of five hospitals, nine long-term care facilities and its hospice and palliative care services.

Prior to that, she was chief nursing officer at the Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, also holding leadership roles at Evercare Hospice and Palliative Care and Capital Hospice, now Capital Caring.

“Throughout the search process, it was imperative to the board to find someone who could provide strong leadership and direction to ensure the continued success of Hospice of the Piedmont,” Chris Little, chair of Hospice of the Piedmont’s board of directors, said. “I look forward to the new perspectives and ideas Nancy will bring to our organization.”

Hudson Valley Hospice Appoints RN as New SVP, COO

New York-based Hudson Valley Hospice has appointed Teresa Holstein as its new senior vice president and chief operating officer.

Holstein is a registered nurse with more than a decade of hospice and health care experiences in community-based and hospital system programs.

“It is my privilege to join this extraordinary team in their mission to enhance the quality of life for all we serve,” she said in a statement.

Holstein was most recently the director of Missouri-based BJC Hospice, a role in which she focused on revamping its clinical education and quality programs. She also served as hospice director of Evergreen-Health, overseeing patient admissions, as well as education and compliance programs.

“I am extremely pleased that Teresa has joined Hudson Valley Hospice,” President and CEO Michael Kaminski said. “She has extensive hospice experience, at both the clinical and management levels, which will ensure that our programs will be able to serve an increasing number of patients who deserve the benefits of our hospice care services.”

Hudson Valley Hospice offers services to more than 620 individuals across two New York counties that stretch along the Hudson River.

The hospice and palliative care provider has an inpatient facility and also offers community-based end-of-life care. Additional services include medical equipment assistance, a telehospice program, and music, reiki and pet therapies, among others.

Medical Director Takes Reins at Hospice Care of the Low Country

Hospice Care of the Lowcountry & Lowcountry Palliative Care has appointed Dr. F. Carl Derrick as medical director.

Derrick has been a board-certified internal medicine specialist for the last 18 years and has more than a decade of hospice and palliative care experience. He hails from primary care provider Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group, and has served as the medical director of various health care organizations. Derrick was also a clinical instructor of medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Hospice Care of the Lowcountry provides end-of-life and palliative care to two counties in South Carolina. Established roughly 40 years ago, the community-based nonprofit offers hospice, palliative care and home health, along with grief support and home care programs for children coping with illness and loss.

The new hire marks an important step in expanding the hospices’ reach across its service region, according to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry CEO James Dismond.
“Dr. Derrick’s impressive track record and visionary approach align seamlessly with our organization’s mission to provide the highest quality of care,” Dismond told HomeCare. “This selection marks a significant milestone in our journey, reaffirming our dedication to advancing our care services throughout Beaufort and Jasper counties. With his arrival, we are assured to elevate our standards of care and innovation to new heights.”