Movers & Shakers: VNS of Connecticut, MatrixCare

Olson Named New President, CEO of VNS of Connecticut

Visiting Nurse Services (VNS) of Connecticut, a non-profit provider of skilled home health and hospice services, has named Ann M. Olson, RN, BSN, as its new president and CEO. She succeeds William F. Sullivan, Jr., who retired after three decades in the position.

Olson will oversee the Bridgeport-based agency, which provides care to roughly 7,800 patients annually in Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties from its patient care branches located in Torrington, Oxford, Trumbull and Bridgeport.

Olson brings more than 30 years of management, strategic planning, business development and leadership experience to her new role. She joins VNS of Connecticut from national health care consulting firm Qualidigm in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where she served as principal and vice president since 2015. Prior to her experience at Qualidigm, Olson served 23-year tenure as president and chief executive officer of Interim Healthcare of Hartford.

Olson holds an Accreditation Commission for Health Care and Six Sigma Green Belt certifications and is currently working toward completion of her master’s degree in business administration. She has served on the Qualidigm board of directors and the board of directors of the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home for two terms, and has chaired that group’s Government Relations Committee.

Former Kindred Exec Steps Up to New Role for MatrixCare

Bloomington, Minnesota-based MatrixCare, a provider of long-term post-acute care technology solutions, has appointed Larry Wolf as chief transformation officer—a newly formed role for the company.

Wolf brings more than 40 years of industry experience to his new role, previously holding numerous leadership positions at Louisville, Kentucky-based Kindred Healthcare, including chief information officer for emerging markets, where he supported new care delivery and payment models.

At his new post, Wolf will be tasked with communicating the company’s value proposition to customers and potential customers. He will also work with the leadership team to ensure MatrixCare continues to grow its offerings.

Wolf is chair of the Health Information Management Systems Society’s Public Policy Committee (HIMSS PPC) and a member of the Long Term Post Acute Ccare Health IT Collaborative. He has also served on the American Health Care Association’s Health IT Task Force and the American Hospital Association’s Interoperability Advisory Group. He also has served on the Federal Health IT Policy and Standards Advisory Committee.

BrightStar Care Appoints Wingate-Spence to Marketing and Community Outreach Role

BrightStar Care has appointed Christina Wingate-Spence as its new regional director of marketing and community outreach.

She professional experience includes health care sales, marketing and communications. Prior to joining the company, Wingate-Spence worked for Genesis HealthCare and HeartFields Assisted Living at Easton, a Five Star Senior Living community.

Most recently, Wingate-Spence was a team member of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, where held roles such as communications and marketing specialist and manager of marketing and communications.

Ecumen Welcomes Two New VPs

Ecumen, a non-profit provider of senior housing and aging services, has welcomed two new vice presidents, William McGarry and Amy Korzenowski.

McGarry will serve as VP of IT and chief technology officer, overseeing company-wide information systems and technology. Prior to joining the team, he worked with Trissential. He has also held management roles at St. Jude Medical, Owens Corning and General Electric.

Korzenowski will serve as VP or operations for housing and nursing home communities. Previously, she served as assistant vice president of clinical operations at Prime Therapeutics, a Minneapolis pharmacy benefit management company. She has also held roles at Extendicare Health Services and Volunteers of America National Services.

Health Recovery Solutions Appoints Blendu to Sales Leadership Role

Hoboken, New Jersey-based Health Recovery Solutions (HRS), a supplier of remote monitoring technology for the in-home care industry, has welcomed Jenni Blendu RN, MBA, as its new senior director of sales.

Previously, Blendu served as an ER, critical care and home health nurse for more than 15 years, holding various health care leadership roles.

She also currently serves as the president of the Idaho Association for Home Care. In addition, Blendu serves as a member of the Boise Chamber Healthcare Advisory Board, and is a member of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice’s government affairs committee.

Written by Carlo Calma