Movers & Shakers: Traditions Health Names New CFO, Blue Wolf Capital Expands Operating Team

Traditions Health Names New Chief Financial Officer

Alan Blakeney is joining Traditions Health, LLC, a home health and hospice provider in Texas and California, as its new chief financial officer.

College Station, Texas-based Traditions is a holding company that focuses on the health care industry and related businesses, including home health, hospice and online policy manuals. Traditions is a portfolio company of Dorilton Capital Advisors, a New York-based private investment firm.

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Blakeney, in his new role, will drive Traditions’ economic growth and oversee financial planning and reporting.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Alan to the Traditions Health team,” Bryan Wolfe, president and CEO of Traditions Health, said in a press release. “He will undoubtedly make an immediate impact on the growth and operations of Traditions.”

Before joining Traditions, Blakeney served as the CFO at Camellia Healthcare. He is also a former member of the Home Care & Hospice Financial Managers Association’s advisory board.

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Blue Wolf Capital Expands Operating Team

New York-based Blue Wolf Capital Partners is expanding its operating partner team to include: Dr. Alice Mann, Richard Kobor, Don Armstrong and Tom Tomlinson.

Blue Wolf Capital is a private equity firm that makes investments in companies in the health care, energy services and building products sectors. The company recently announced the creation of Elara Caring, one of the largest home health care companies in the nation combing Great Lakes Caring, Jordan Health Services and National Home Health Care.

“The role of an operating partner is quite demanding, and it requires a unique leaderships style of coaching, facilitating and partnering with portfolio company executive in order to realize true transformation and value creation,” Rick Winegar, lead operating officer at Blue Wolf, said in a press release. “Each of our new operating team members bring their industry experience and a demonstrated track record of effective collaboration to the challenge.”

Mann has over 20 years of experience helping senior executives build high-performing leadership teams. As the human capital leader, Mann will work directly with the leadership of Blue Wolf’s portfolio companies to develop talent strategies, according to the company.

Tomlinson brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience to Blue Wolf’s health care team and health care portfolio companies.

Kobor has nearly 30 years of experience in engineering-driven industries.

Armstrong has over 40 years of experience in various areas of engineering and construction sectors.

“Alice, Tom, Rich and Don’s extensive experience will serve our portfolio company management teams well as we partner to solve complex challenges and achieve meaningful results,” Adam Blumenthal, managing partner of Blue Wolf, said in the press release. “Throughout their careers, they have helped businesses achieve significant progress.”

Compassus Denver Names New Executive Director

The Compassus program operating in Denver and the surrounding areas has announced the addition of Shelly Leyba as its executive director.

Nashville, Tennessee-based Compassus is a nationwide network of community-based hospice, palliative and home health care services founded in 2006. The company operates more than 140 programs across 31 states.

Leyba will oversee day-to-day operations of the program and lead teams of affiliated physicans, medical professionals, social workers and volunteers to deliver quality care.

“I am proud to have the opportunity to help improve access to the benefits of hospice care for those facing life-limiting illnesses in Denver,” Leyba said in a press release. “I look forward to serving the needs and fulfilling the expectations of our patients and their families.

Leyba recently served as principal for Absolute Healthcare Management, where she provided contract executive leadership services for operations management, health care IT conversions and implementations, change management and business planing.

Hospice Introduces New Medical Director

Cedar Valley Hospice has named Dr. John Zehr its new chief medical director.

Waterloo, Iowa-based Cedar Valley Hospice is a not-for-profit provider of hospice, palliative care and grief support, among other services. The organization has been operating since 1979. It currently serves Cedar Valley and northeast Iowa with four offices and a Hospice Home.

Zehr earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and completed his residency at Northeast Iowa Medical Education Foundation: Family Practice Center, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier.

“Over the years, I’ve found more of an affinity to treat the elderly,” Zehr told the Courier. “As I age, and my relatives get even older, I’ve recognized the challenges that come with aging and really enjoy treating that demographic and helping them to feel better.”

Zehr will serve patients in all Cedar Valley Hospice properties in Waterloo, Independence, Grundy Center, Waverly and the Hospice Home.

Allina Health Announces New President of Abbott Northwestern Hospital

Allina Health has named Ann Madden Rice as the new president of Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the senior vice president of Allina Health Operations.

Minneapolis-based Allina Health is a not-for-profit health care system operating over 90 clinics, 12 hospitals, 15 retail pharmacies, speciality care centers and speciality medical services that provide home care, senior transitions, hospice care and emergency medical transportations services.

“During our search process for this role,we met with many incredibly talented individuals,” Lisa Shannon, chief operating officer at Allina Health, said in a press release. “Ann, by far, rose to the top with her proven ability for strategic and operational excellence, both balanced by her true passion for relationships and caring for the whole person.”

Rice is currently the chief executive officer of the University of California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento. She has served in that role for that past 10 years. Rice has also served in leadership roles in many health systems including chief financial officer and chief operating officer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

“It is a privilege to join this highly regarded institution and I am honored to have been selected to become its next president,” Rice said in a press release. “Knowing the quality of the leaders and medical staff I’ve already met, I can easily understand why Abbott Northwestern has the exceptional reputation it has and I look forward to joining this outstanding team.”

Written by Kaitlyn Mattson

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