VNA Announces Change in Leadership

Updated on April 15, 2011

Kristy Wright

 

CEO Kristy Wright endorses Board’s choice of Liz Powell

For over a decade, Kristy Wright has been at the helm of VNA, Western Pennsylvania. As president and CEO, Wright has taken a small, community-based company to a nationally recognized home care and hospice organization. In June, Wright will pass the reins to VNA’s Chief Operating Officer Liz Powell.

Powell has been with the VNA for over 25 years, serving as its COO for the last 16 years. She has played a leading role in developing the clinical expertise and high quality care that the VNA is known for in the community and throughout the country.  Under her direction, the VNA has developed several new programs, notably remote tele-monitoring and chronic disease management. She also was instrumental in opening the VNA Inpatient Hospice, the community’s first free-standing hospice facility.

Liz Powell

Powell is a certified registered nurse practitioner and a member of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, the Pennsylvania Hospice Network, the Butler County Community College Nursing Advisory Board and the Rx Home Health Care Credentialing Board.

“I am pleased and proud to take the reins of such a clinically and financially strong organization and appreciate having the coming weeks to thoughtfully transition to my new role with Kristy’s help and direction,” said Powell.

“Kristy Wright was a tremendous leader and will be missed” said Board Chair Gerri Paulisick. “In choosing her successor, we were very fortunate to have an equally talented, experienced and skilled leader within the VNA family. We have no doubt that this will be a seamless transition as Liz Powell moves from COO to CEO in the next few months.”

Wright has accepted a new position with Simione Consulting, a national home care and hospice consulting firm.  In her new role, Wright will continue to have an impact on home care and hospice, a passion of hers throughout her 30 year career at the VNA.

“The VNA is such a stable and strong organization making it a good time to transition to new leadership” said Wright.  “I’m leaving a seasoned management team in place and an experienced and dynamic new CEO.”

Wright was chosen as Home Care Executive of the Year in 2002 by the National Association of Home Care and Hospice.  She has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Home Care, Home Medical Equipment Association of America, Pennsylvania Homecare Association and the Robert Morris University School of Nursing Advisory Board. Currently she is the national board representative for home care on The Joint Commission, the accrediting body for health care organizations.  Wright is also a national speaker and respected author for the home care and hospice industry.

VNA Services and Foundation, Western Pennsylvania is the $25 million parent company of three corporations:  Visiting Nurses Association, VNA Hospice, and VNA Medical Equipment and Supplies.  As the new CEO, Powell will oversee 375 employees who provide home health, hospice, and personal care, private duty nursing and durable medical equipment.

About VNA of Western Pennsylvania

VNA of Western Pennsylvania was founded in 1965 as a volunteer, community-based nonprofit home health care organization. Dedicated to providing care to patients of all ages regardless of their ability to pay, VNA services include nursing, personal care aides, private duty, hospice, medical equipment, remote health monitoring, emergency response system, health screening and wellness promotion. VNA is Medicare certified and accredited by The Joint Commission. For more information, please call 1-877-862-6659 or visit www.vna.com.

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