New Executives Take the Helm at AccentCare, Blue Ridge, Androscoggin, Good Samaritan

AccentCare Appoints New EVP, CMO

Dr. Balu Natarajan has become AccentCare’s new executive vice president and chief medical officer.

Natarajan’s role expanded after previously serving as the post-acute company’s chief medical officer for hospice since 2005. In addition to oversee AccentCare’s hospice and palliative care programs, he will also support its clinical care operations and patient experience initiatives.

Prior to joining AccentCare, Natarajan founded Chicago Primary Care Sports Medicine. He also currently serves as president of the North South Foundation.

“In his almost two decades with our company, Dr. Natarajan has been an invaluable asset to our team, demonstrating exceptional leadership and medical expertise,” AccentCare CEO Laura Tortorella said in a statement. “With his proven track record of putting patients first and building best-in-class clinical teams, I am confident that Dr. Natarajan will continue to advance our delivery of high-quality, consistent and connected care.”

The news follows another executive shift in January when the company tapped a new CFO, Saurabh Gupta. Tortorella joined AccentCare as CEO last September.

AccentCare is a portfolio company of the private equity firm Advent International, which purchased the provider from Oak Hill Capital Partners in 2019 for an undisclosed sum. The company merged with Illinois-based Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care in 2020.

AccentCare provides hospice, palliative and personal care, along with home health, non-medical services, care management and high-acuity home care. The Dallas-headquartered company operates upwards of 250 locations in 31 states and in the District of Columbia and has an annual census of more than 200,000 patients.

“Our team will continue to be guided by the patient’s voice and put patients at the center of everything we do as we deliver high-quality care,” Natarajan said. “From coast to coast, patients and their families are counting on providers to help them navigate a complex health care system. I look forward to working with our clinical teams and partners to develop and implement strategies that promote innovation and drive successful patient experiences and outcomes.”

Blue Ridge Hospice Taps New CEO

Blue Ridge Hospice recently named Jason Parsons as president and CEO.

Parsons will also head its PACE program, Blue Ridge Independence at Home, as well as Blue Ridge Palliative Care Services. He previously served as chief strategy officer at the hospice organization since April 2023. Parsons joined Blue Ridge Hospice in 2022 as its chief business development officer. He hails from Capital Caring Health, where he was vice president of public affairs and philanthropy.

Former Blue Ridge CEO Cheryl Hamilton Fried stepped down in January to pursue other opportunities, according to the company’s board of directors.

“Stepping into 2024, I’m excited to share news that marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for Blue Ridge Hospice and those in our community in need of serious and chronic illness care, palliative care and bereavement support services,” Richard Kennedy, board of directors chair at Blue Ridge Hospice, said in an announcement. “Jason has a deep commitment to our community and mission, and he, along with the leadership team, will continue Blue Ridge’s role in building the future of care.”

Established in 1981, Blue Ridge offers hospice, palliative care and community grief support services. The Virginia-based nonprofit hospice operates eight thrift stores across its 10-county service region in the state. Blue Ridge Hospice recently expanded its presence in Loudoun County, opening a de novo in January.

This year will be “momentous” for Blue Ridge Hospice, according to Kennedy, who outlined a few of the organizations’ initiatives in 2024. These include the launch of a new community grief center, continued PACE service development and “rapid expansion” in Virginia due to rising demand, Kennedy stated.

“We’re very much looking ahead to this year,” Parsons told local news. “We have a very experienced, accomplished leadership team and a supportive, very engaged board of directors. My job is to support them and clear the weeds out of the way, if you will, so they can do their jobs.”

Androscoggin’s New CHRO

Maine-based Androscoggin Home Health Care + Hospice has a new chief human resources officer, Sarah Conroy.

Conroy was previously a board member of the Maine State Society of Washington D.C. Foundation since 2017, serving as its president from 2019 to 2021. She was also a human resources business consultant at consulting firm CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) from 2016 to 2023. Before that, Conroy was the director of human resources at Unity College in Maine since 2013.

“Sarah brings to Androscoggin her decades of HR experience in organizations of various sizes, including in the manufacturing, health care, financial services and technology industries,” the organization posted on social media. “Her specialties include employee relations, compensation and benefits design and delivery, compliance, communications and strategic planning. Throughout her career, she has written broadly about HR issues, delivered solutions across the HR spectrum and encouraged other HR professionals to have a voice in both the boardroom and the legislature.”

Founded in 1966, Androscoggin Home Health Care + Hospice serves roughly 14,000 patients and families annually across 16 counties in Maine. The nonprofit provider offers home health, hospice, palliative care, behavioral health, pediatric and maternal health, private duty and personal care services.

“I’m glad to be here and perpetually curious,” Conroy said in the social media post. “I’m a strategically focused collaborative and appreciate humor!”

New Executive Director at Good Samaritan Hospice

Pennsylvania-based Good Samaritan Hospice has appointed Kristin Laboda as its executive director.

Laboda has been the hospice’s business manager since 2019, serving as manager of Concordia Private care prior to that. 

Good Samaritan Hospice is part of Concordia Lutheran Ministries. The faith-based health system operates 15 locations in the state and offers home and community-based services such as skilled nursing, hospice, home health, private duty care and rehabilitative therapy, along with durable medical equipment.

“My position allows me to impact the lives of others through the care that our staff provides, through the assistance and support we can give families,” Laboda said in a press release. “Working for Concordia gives me the opportunity to serve my community, because Concordia’s mission really sets it apart in this industry. We truly function as a team with one goal: to best serve our patients.”

Good Samaritan Hospice provides home- and facility-based end-of-life care, respite services and physical and occupational therapies. The organization operates three hospice locations in western Pennsylvania.

Laboda directs all the hospice provider’s business operations such as budget development and process improvement, patient relations, growth and marketing strategies, financial management, along with its recruitment and retention development efforts.

She is also charged with managing Good Samaritan Hospice’s operational activities including scheduling, accounts payable, contract administration, quality control and regulatory compliance.