Hospice of the Western Reserve announces new CEO

Hospice of the Western Reserve has announced a transition in executive leadership, culminating a two-year executive succession process. Chief Executive Officer David Simpson is relinquishing his day-to-day management responsibilities and will focus on certain strategic growth initiatives as CEO Emeritus. Succeeding Simpson as CEO is William E. Finn, who most recently served as the President & CEO of The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in Buffalo, New York. Finn and Simpson have been colleagues in many areas at the national level for 20 years working on various hospice policy and program initiatives.

Simpson, who has served as CEO since 1985, helped lead the expansion of Hospice of the Western Reserve's six county service area in Northeast Ohio where it operates from twelve community sites. It currently provides care for as many as 1,600 patients daily through hospice, palliative and continuity of care programs.

"Throughout his tenure at Hospice of the Western Reserve, David's strong leadership and strategic vision have driven the organization's mission of providing the highest level of compassionate care to patients, families and caregivers throughout Northeast Ohio," stated Richard Whitney, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "His thoughtful, eloquent approach to end-of-life care has established the agency as a national leader in end-of-life care. Through the strong foundation he has built, we can continue to grow and flourish in helping those in need. Bill Finn himself has more than two decades of experience in executive leadership, and was instrumental in growing Hospice Buffalo into a national leader in hospice care, and the Board is extremely confident that he has the vision to lead Hospice of the Western Reserve in the very exciting period ahead."

In his new role as CEO Emeritus, Simpson will be focusing on several major initiatives, including the transition of the organization's Headquarters to the Brush Engineered Materials building, involving the relocation of approximately 200 employees, and financing and construction of its new 32-bed Westlake Hospice House.

"As I prepare for this change, I feel very fortunate to have played a part in helping Hospice of the Western Reserve's growth over the past 25 years," said Simpson. "Through the years, I have been continually amazed by the unequivocal dedication of the staff and volunteers who approach their work each day with the utmost compassion, and I look forward to continuing to support their efforts in my new role."

Simpson's successor, William E. Finn, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He has worked in the field of hospice care for more than 25 years where he was instrumental in opening the nation's first minority-partnership Hospice Residence in New York. He also oversaw the creation of a perinatal program and developed a hospice university and palliative care institute. While CEO of The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, he directed more than 550 staff and 1,400 volunteers servicing 750 patients per day.

"I am excited about the opportunity to continue the legacy set forth by my predecessor and about working with him to uncover new opportunities that will allow Hospice of the Western Reserve to continue to deliver services that exceed the expectations of patients and families in the region," said Finn.

John Copic

Resident of neighborhood since 1956. Worked on East 185th street since 1970. Member of the Board of Directors of North East Shores Development Corporation Former private butler to the crown Prince of Saudi Arabia

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Volume 3, Issue 1, Posted 1:06 PM, 03.08.2011