The following is a special message from Barbara Dixon, OCHCH Incoming Board Chair and Lisa Von Lehmden, OCHCH Incoming Executive Director.
Dear Members and Friends of Home Care & Hospice,
It brings me great pleasure to make my inaugural announcement as the incoming Chair of the Board for the Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice (OCHCH).
This past year has marked a period of transition for our organization. Five months ago, Lisa Von Lehmden, our Board Chair, graciously stepped in as our Transition Lead. Under her guidance, the board is confident that we are headed in the right direction. With numerous pressing matters looming in 2024, we are keen to not lose our forward momentum.
Recognizing the need for continuity and progressive change, the board has extended Lisa a contract to become our Executive Director, and we are thrilled that she has accepted. Lisa is assembling a dedicated team focused on delivering distinct value propositions, innovative educational initiatives, amplified advocacy efforts, strategic marketing, networking opportunities and meaningful connections beneficial to your agencies’ progress.
She is an excellent choice for our organization. With over 20 years of experience as an owner and operator in both home care and hospice, the board believes Lisa brings the knowledge and real-life experiences to create momentum around what we as agency members need the most: support, education, and relentless advocacy on behalf of our members.
I am also pleased to announce that Lisa will be joined in her role by Sean Welch, our current Board Treasurer. Sean is the Managing Partner of Integrity Home Care and has 15 years of financial and operational leadership in home health.
OCHCH is a vital organization for Ohio. With competent leadership, a refocused board, and a talented staff, OCHCH will be better positioned as a valuable asset to our state at a time we need it.
As incoming Board Chair, I look forward to continuing to work with Lisa, Sean, my colleagues on the Board, and all of you.
Finally, I am delighted to share a message from Lisa below.
Thank you, and here’s to a great conclusion to 2023 and an outstanding 2024!
Sincerely,
Barbara Dixon, BSN, RN, CEHCH
Incoming Board Chair, Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice
Director of Operations, Amedisys
A message from Lisa Von Lehmden, OCHCH Incoming Executive Director
Hello everyone,
I am incredibly honored to accept this assignment to continue leading the Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice. Together with our incredible team, we are steadfast in our commitment to advance our four pillars: education, advocacy, community connections, and provider support.
Throughout this year, the Board of Directors has embraced the challenge of change, using it as a springboard for transformation. Through ongoing conversations with our members, your voices have been pivotal in shaping our direction. With a commitment to fiscal responsibility and innovation, we have made decisions that align with our mission as we step into 2024.
To optimize our resources and diversify expertise for our members, we are consolidating two roles. The Regulatory Director and Education Director positions will converge into the Policy and Development Director role. This professional will be supported by a panel of experts in legal healthcare, general law, financial and revenue cycle management, payer relations, Medicare and Medicaid agency support, hospice, and palliative care.
The OCHCH Help Desk is being revamped to connect you directly with a professional best equipped to assist you. We want to ensure you and your organization are getting swift, high-quality responses, so that collectively we can continue to serve Ohioans to the best of our abilities.
While we are encouraged with the progress we are making and the promising path ahead, bidding farewell to two exceptional individuals, Kathy Royer, and Lee Ann Bower, is undeniably bittersweet. It is with profound gratitude that we pause to recognize their invaluable service to OCHCH.
Their passion, commitment, and contributions have left an indelible mark on our organization. Thank you, Kathy, and Lee Ann. We wish you well in your future endeavors.
My colleagues and I are committed to supporting our members. My mission is to improve OCHCH and to grow it. I have lived the work of our members for more than 20 years, and I have served on the OCHCH board for four years. My focus has always been on creating environments in which employees can thrive and patients and families feel safe and informed. I sincerely feel that there is no more critical time than the present to hold hands in the trenches and support our Ohioans in need.
What I have learned through the pandemic and the recent changes in referral trends is that now, more than ever, we need to work together to provide resources to one another, safety to our colleagues, and solace to those we are honored to take care of.
As we embark on this transformative journey into 2024, fueled by the commitment to evolve and better serve our community, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to every member whose support and input have been instrumental. Your engagement fuels our progress. We eagerly anticipate the exciting opportunities that lie ahead and remain steadfast in our dedication to enhancing the care and support we provide to the Ohioans we proudly serve.
I extend my warmest wishes to you, your loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Cheers for a promising 2024 — we stand by our promise to support you every step of the way.
Thank you,
Lisa Von Lehmden
Incoming Executive Director
Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice
