Furst Group Lands CEO for Care Dimensions
May 3, 2017 – Executive search firm Furst Group has recruited Patricia Ahern as chief executive officer of Care Dimensions. She succeeds Diane Stringer who recently announced her retirement.
Ms. Ahern has more than 30 years of leadership experience in healthcare spanning the continuum of care delivery services, including acute care hospitals and hospice and palliative care organizations. Most recently, she was CEO of the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in Buffalo which serves nearly 500 hospice and 350 palliative care patients daily. Prior to that, she served as president and CEO of Chicago’s Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care for 18 years.
In addition, Ms. Ahern is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and was appointed to the New York State Palliative Care Education and Training Counsel. Previously, she was a member of the American Heart Association and the Rotary Club, where she has served in board capacities on the state, regional and national levels.
Uniquely Qualified
“Pat is uniquely qualified to be the new leader of Care Dimensions, which is the largest hospice in New England,” said Pamela Lawrence, chair of Care Dimensions’ board of directors. “With both a nursing background and an MBA, she has the clinical and strategic business skills and a true passion for the mission which will enable her to provide the vision and leadership to move Care Dimensions forward.”
“Our search process was extensive, employing objective criteria and rigorous standards,” said Peter Sherwood and Nancy Palmer, Care Dimensions board of directors members and co-chairs of the search committee. “Having led large non-profit hospices in Buffalo and Chicago, Pat brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, which made her the unanimous choice of the board of directors.”
Tapping Outside Talent for Life Science and Healthcare
For these top 50 executive recruiters working in the life science and healthcare sectors, the last decade has been one of transformation. Pressure on pricing, regulatory changes, emerging innovations, growth, and an uncertain political environment have all helped shape a new field of play.
| NEW Top 50 Ranking |
“I am very excited for this new challenge, and the opportunity to work with the outstanding team of caregivers, staff, volunteers, and supporters.” said Ms. Ahern. “I have a deep respect for the leadership role that Care Dimensions has and will continue to play in both palliative and advanced illness care with its focus on providing compassionate expertise to patients and their families, its commitment to excellence and quality of care, and its dedication to innovation and customer service.”
Care Dimensions, founded in 1978 as Hospice of the North Shore, was one of the nation’s first hospice providers. As a community-based, not-for-profit leader in advanced illness care, it’s mission is to provide care, support, education and consultation to those affected by life-limiting illness, death and loss.
Headquartered in Chicago, Furst Group focuses exclusively on the healthcare and life sciences sector. The firm is led by co-founders Bob Clarke, CEO, and Sherrie Barch, president. The firm has completed a number of senior level search assignments throughout the sector, including at El Rio Community Health Center, Primary Care Progress, University Health System, Prevea Health, and Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care. Furst Group recently placed Gayle Mattson as president of Haven Hospice and Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of the Florida Keys as well as Paulette Davidson as chief operating officer of integrated healthcare system Regional Health in Rapid City.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
