LHC Group Appoints IT Chief; Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice Names CEO

LHC Group hires chief information officer

LHC Group (Nasdaq: LHCG) has a new IT chief.

Earlier this month, the Lafayette, Louisiana-based LHC Group announced that former health insurance veteran Mohammad Ali will join the company as its chief information officer. Ali’s tenure as CIO will officially begin Dec. 2.

In his role as CIO, Ali will be tasked with leading LHC Group’s information technology strategy and implementation, helping the company hit on its ongoing growth and quality goals. With an average daily census of about 100,000 patients, technology is a key factor in the company’s delivery of in-home care, whether that’s personal care services, home health care or hospice care.

“Ali’s impressive talents and experience will help our company confront and overcome today’s IT challenges, and help us build a cutting-edge infrastructure that will carry us forward and ensure our future success,” LHC Group Chairman and CEO Keith Myers said in a statement.

Ali most recently served as CIO of international markets for Cigna Inc. (NYSE: CI), where he helped oversee operations in 22 countries totaling $6.5 in business. During his time at Cigna, Ali helped lead the development of its business and IT strategies with a focus on efficiency, cost-effectiveness, stability, security and increased value.

Prior to Cigna, Ali served in leadership roles at Anthem Inc. (NYSE: ANTM) and IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM).

Moving forward, that background will serve LHC Group as it increases its use of telemedicine and other proprietary technology in the home. Among its specific tech initiatives, LHC Group leadership recently highlighted the use of more telephonic teaching and training visits.

“The in-home health care industry is increasingly dependent on technology and innovation, and our IT systems are vital to our ability to function properly and provide our patients and partners with the kind of service they deserve,” Myers said.

Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Bruce Greenstein had previously filled the CIO role until LHC Group concluded its national search for a dedicated IT chief.

Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice has new CEO

Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice has a new CEO.

Jennifer Voegtline took over as the Marquette, Michigan-based provider’s top executive about three months ago. As part of its business model, Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice offers adult day health services to support individuals living with memory impairment, in addition to a variety of end-of-life care services. 

The provider recently celebrated a 40-year anniversary, local newsroom WLUC reported.

It marked the occasion with an open house, where CEO Voegtline pushed for community hospice education. 

“I really just want to do a lot of awareness and education so people really understand what hospice is, and we’re working with the other hospice in town just to have that recognition and education,” she told WLUC. “We’re both wanting to make sure people understand it and know that it’s available and how it works.”

Amedisys welcomes three new directors

Donald A. Washburn is retiring as chairman of the board for Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED), the Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based home health, hospice and personal care services provider announced at the end of October.

Washburn had served in the chairman role for the past five years, first joining the board of directors in 2004.

The Amedisys board unanimously elected President and CEO Paul Kusserow as its new chairman and Richard A. Lechleiter as lead independent director, effective immediately.

“We would not be the company we are today without [Washburn’s] leadership, and the numerous and lasting contributions that he has made to Amedisys are incalculable,” Kusserow said in a statement. “He has played an integral role in setting our culture of quality and compliance, and was instrumental in bringing in new management to the company.”

Amedisys has also announced it added three new members to its board, effective Nov. 1. They are Dr. Molly J. Coye, Vickie L. Capps and Teresa L. Kline.

Dr. Coye is a physician, senior executive and thought leader with broad experience using digital solutions to innovate health provider systems.

Capps has executive leadership experience, in addition to a background in strategic business development, corporate finance and accounting and capital markets. She also has experience in investor relations, operations and corporate governance.

Meanwhile, Kline is a health care executive with payor and provider experience as well as expertise in managed care, physician practice management and outpatient facility operations.

Better Medicare Alliance names communications directors

The Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) has named Jonathan Frank as its new communications director. Washington, D.C.-based BMA is an advocacy coalition focused on Medicare Advantage.

Frank previously served as communications director for Horizon Government Affairs and the BMA-allied Council for Affordable Health Coverag. His background also includes work on Capitol Hill, where Frank held a variety of roles for then-Congresswoman Diane Black (R-Tenn.). 

“This is an important time to be communicating the value of Medicare Advantage as plans, providers, and community partners are finding innovative ways to meet the needs of millions of seniors and people with disabilities,” Allyson Y. Schwartz, president and CEO of BMA, said in a statement. “Health care is top of mind for policymakers and everyday Americans, and we look forward to Jonathan playing a key role in articulating the high-quality, low costs, consumer protections, and enhanced benefits that are critical to the health and well-being of millions of Medicare beneficiaries.”