Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association Announces 2014 Officers and Committee Chairs
Tallahassee, Florida (PRWEB) January 17, 2014 -- For over 30 years, Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association has worked toward the betterment of hospice through the commitment of our members and Board Leadership. We are pleased to announce the new additions to our Board Leadership and Executive Committee.
“We feel fortunate as an association to have such an esteemed and talented Executive Committee. We are grateful for their dedication and hard work to further FHPCA’s mission to assure excellence and access to hospice care, and advocate for the needs of those in the final phases of life.” Says Paul Ledford, Executive Director of FHPCA.
The new members are:
Bonnie Alkema, RN, CHPN, Executive Director of Catholic Hospice
Bonnie was elected Secretary. Bonnie, who has over 20 years of experience in the hospice healthcare industry, has been with Catholic Hospice since 2008, where she was previously the Director of Performance Improvement. She comes from Caring People Home Healthcare Agency where she was the Director of Operations and Director of Nursing. A seasoned nurse, Bonnie has served as General Manager, National Patient Care Administrator, Patient Care Administrator, and Team Manager, all within the hospice field.
Susan deCuba, MA, CHE, President/CEO, Treasure Coast Hospice
Susan was FHPCA’s Quality Committee Chair and was elected to move into the role of Internal Vice President. She brings to the board her experience in Marketing, Foundation, Finance, IT, Compliance, Bereavement and Volunteer Services. Susan was recognized by the American Marketing Association as one of the top non-profit marketers in the country. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University with a double major in Humanities and Spanish, and a Master’s degree in Counseling from University of South Florida.
Jim Poole, CHA, Vice President of Community & Legislative Affairs, Haven Hospice
Jim was elected External Vice President. Jim’s background has been community engagement and economic development, having lead the Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia County Economic Development Council over the last 19 years. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and enjoys golf when he can find the time.
Staying on in their current position is:
Linda Ward, MSW, President/CEO, Gulfside Regional Hospice
Linda was elected a two two-year terms as President of FHPCA Board of Directors in November 2012. Formerly the Secretary of FHPCA Board of Directors, Linda will continue to bring her 26 years of healthcare experience in acute care, long-term care and hospice care along with administrative experience in operations, management and marketing to FHPCA’s Executive Committee. Linda holds a Master's Degree in Social Work and Healthcare Administration, and is a national speaker on the topics of Alzheimer’s, Hospice and customer loyalty, and is a member of many healthcare organizations.
Tom Barb, MHA, President/CEO, HPH Hospice
Tom was elected Treasurer. Tom has been president and CEO of HPH Hospice since July of 2008, and brings his 35 years of varied healthcare experience with for-profit, non-profit and governmental hospital organizations to FHPCA’s Board of Directors. Tom has a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Florida and a Masters of Health Administration from Georgia State University.
Mary Ellen Poe, MSA, RN, President/CEO, Hospice of Marion County
Mary Ellen is the Immediate Past President. Mary Ellen Poe joined Hospice of Marion County and its Affiliated Companies as Chief Executive Officer in May 2009. In addition to being FHPCA’s Immediate Past President, she is also an officer for the Access to Healthcare Inc. Board, and serves on the Governance Committee of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Cathy Adkison, BSN, ADN, President/CEO, Big Bend Hospice
Cathy remains as the Funding Committee Chair. Cathy joined Big Bend Hospice in 2011 from Alabama where she was a Senior Vice President of Operations for a large home health and hospice provider serving over 54 counties. She is a Registered Nurse and holds a bachelor’s of science in nursing as well as certification in Hospice and Home Care Administration. Adkison has 30 years of nursing experience, with 26 of those years in administrative and management positions.
Ron Fried, Senior Vice President of Development, VITAS Innovative Healthcare
Ron remains as the Public Policy Committee Chair. Ron brings more than fifteen years of hospice management and administrative responsibilities and more than thirty years of experience in legislative and regulatory affairs to his role Public Policy Committee Chair. Along with his extensive work and public policy experience, he is also Chair of the board of directors of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and a board member of the Hospice Action Network.
To learn more about FHPCA, please visit http://www.floridahospices.org
###
FHPCA is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization representing Florida’s hospice programs. The mission of FHPCA is to assure excellence and access to hospice care, and advocate for the needs of those in the final phases of life.
FHPCA Contact:
Website: http://www.floridahospices.org │Phone: 850.878.2632 │ Fax: 850.878.5688 │ Email: [email protected]
Abby Vandegrift, Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Assoc., http://www.floridahospices.org, +1 (850) 4431727, [email protected]
Share this article