SCHCHA Appoints New Board Officers, Members

COLUMBIA, South Carolina—The South Carolina Home Care & Hospice Association (SCHCHA) announced the appointment of five new officers who will serve the 2024-2025 term.

“I would like to welcome our new board leaders and newly appointed members,” said Tim Rogers, president and CEO of the South Carolina Home Care & Hospice Association. “I would also like to thank our outgoing board members who have fulfilled their terms: Scott Levy, director of government affairs at Amedisys, Inc., and Andrew Martin, owner of Elite Home Care, Day Centers & Transportation. Many of our board members have been in the home health industry for several years, [and] their expertise and experiences will help drive initiatives for the betterment of quality care for South Carolinian patients.”

Below are the new appointed officers and members:

Chair Kiersten Colovin—VP Experience of Insights & Innovation, Interim Healthcare

As vice president of hospice, Kiersten Colovin oversees hospice and personal care operations, serving eight counties in Upstate South Carolina. Her teams served more than 1,700 patients in 2020. Previously, Colovin served as director of care partnerships at the Care Coordination Institute. There, she facilitated and developed oversight of regional and national client engagements, integrated delivery systems and navigated value-based and population health initiatives. She has served as executive director at Providence Care, a hospice and palliative care company, where she implemented an in-home palliative care physician program and hospice service. Additionally, she has served as hospice administrator and regional financial manager at Pruitt Health, a southeast long-term health care company. Her areas of expertise include operational and financial management, post-acute care, population health management, quality improvement and team development. Colovin holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Presbyterian College, a master of education (MEd) in clinical mental health and a master of business administration (MBA) from Clemson University.

Immediate Past Chair Mary Peck—Area Vice President of Sales, Aveanna

Mary Peck has been in health care for more than 20 years and is currently the area vice president of sales for South Carolina. She began her career as a licensed therapist working in an acute care setting focusing on outpatient and home health. She was in pharmaceutical business development for over 10 years, but returned to durable medical equipment (DME) and home health with Gentiva/Kindred at Home 10 years ago. Since then, Peck has participated in the home health and hospice market growth by working with acute care partners in alternative payment models, mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, Peck has partnered with our senior living communities to provide the best care for our seniors. Her clinical and community experience has given her knowledge of the care continuum our patients experience and their unique needs in these settings. Peck is a past member of the Surfside Rotary, a current member of the executive board of directors for the SC Home Care & Hospice Association and a current member of the board of directors of the SC Assisted Living Association.

Vice Chair Chris Lewis—State Director (SC), All Ways Caring Homecare

Chris Lewis is the state director (SC) for All Ways Caring Homecare. He is currently responsible for nine offices in South Carolina, serving more than 1,000 individuals, and has more than 850 employees. All Ways Caring maintains multiple business lines, primarily in the Medicaid, Veterans Administration, long-term care and private pay market segments. All Ways Caring provides personal care, respite and skilled services to our aging population, allowing them to age in place. Lewis began his career in technology and telecommunications before joining in-home care within the homecare and hospice industry in 2019. He has served in multiple roles within hospice, ranging from chaplain to regional sales director. Lewis is excited for this career advancement, as private and government funding sources and insurers continue to realize the cost benefit All Ways Caring offers in mitigating expensive models of care.

Secretary Elizabeth Snyder—Executive Director of Home Health, Hospice, Hospital at Home, Monitored Home Care & Home Care Programs, Prisma Health

Since joining Prisma Health in June 2019, Elizabeth Synder has been the executive director of the home health, hospice, hospital at home, monitored homecare (virtual monitoring/PCP program) and homecare-based palliative care programs. Over the course of her career, she has managed post-acute service lines in hospital-based, for-profit, multi-state territory environments. Additionally, Snyder has managed infusion pharmacies, clinical respiratory programs, home medical equipment (HME) services, and home health, hospice and palliative care programs. She has been a surveyor for the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP). She serves on the task force for developing better transitional care pathways and post-acute value-based care programs, as well as aids the roadmap for increased adoption of supportive care and hospice at Prisma Health.

Treasurer Lynn Roberts—CPA Manager, Finance & Administration Home Care, Roper St. Francis Home Health & Hospice

Lynn Roberts is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor of business administration and is a licensed CPA in the state of South Carolina. Roberts has been with the Roper St. Francis organization since 1996, overseeing the financial operation for home health and hospice services. She is currently serving on the SCHCHA Board of Directors. She helped consolidate the two largest homecare agencies in the Charleston area, resulting in an annual cost savings of over $1.5 million. In addition, she has assisted in developing the hospice program and oversees grant fund administration, cost reporting and all financial and administrative aspects of the homecare program. Some of her professional activities include current member of the NAHC financial manager’s workgroup and member of HFMA. In the past, she has served as membership chair for the Lowcountry Senior Network and co-chair of the SC Hospital Association hospital-based home health council. Additionally, she has participated on the NAHC HFMA sub-committee for development of the palliative care white paper. She participates in advocacy and legislative initiatives, and encourages staff to contact legislative officials regarding pending changes for the homecare community.

Melissa Allman—Director of Government Affairs, BAYADA Home Health

Melissa Allman has more than 20 years of experience working in home health care and government relations. Prior to becoming the director of government affairs, Melissa was the division director of BAYADA’s South Carolina service offices. Allman served on the SCHCHA board from 2013-2019 and as the chair of government affairs from 2017-2019. Allman serves as the chair for the Home Care Association of America (SC Chapter), National Policy and Legislative Committee (HCAOA) and the National Veterans Advisory Council (NAC). Allman has planned all South Carolina Home Care and Hospice advocacy days at the South Carolina State Capitol over the last seven years in collaboration with both homecare associations. She has executed many home visits over the last several years in her advocacy role and continues to encourage others to join our advocacy efforts. Allman advocates for both state and federal issues. In addition to supporting South Carolina, she supports Florida and leads a private duty nursing coalition in both states.

James Dismond—CEO, Hospice of the Lowcountry

With a decade of service in the not-for-profit sector, James Dismond is an accomplished senior leader with a focus on hospice and palliative care. Throughout his career, Dismond has been committed to providing end-of-life support and enhancing the quality of care for his patients and their families. He seeks new opportunities to enhance professional development as a best practice in hospice and palliative care. He aims to create a difference, uphold high standards and make a positive impact on the lives of individuals with challenging circumstances. As an advocate for hospice and palliative care, Dismond has worked to raise awareness, forge community partnerships and advance hospice care of the Lowcountry’s mission. His expertise in navigating complex health care landscapes and driving organizational growth results in improved services and increased access to vital resources for patients in need.

Kim Perry—Associate VP of Post Acute Care, McLeod Health

Kim Perry has more than 20 years of experience as a registered nurse (RN). During that time, she has worked with a diverse population. Her background includes case management, hospice, geriatrics, rehabilitation and med-surg. The majority of Perry’s career has been spent in case management, working closely with home health and hospice. She has five years of experience as a home hospice RN, which has given her experience in having palliative care and hospice conversations with patients in the hospital. She currently serves as the associate vice president of post-acute services for McLeod Health, providing oversight for both McLeod Home Health and McLeod Hospice and Palliative Care. These entities provide necessary home health and hospice coverage to all counties in the Pee Dee Region. She aims to help shape, strengthen and protect the future of these service lines.

Ashley Watts—AANP Board Certification, FNP-C, Director of Home Care Operations, Elite Home Care, Day Center & Transportation 

Ashley Watts is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with more than 14 years of homecare experience, including as a hospice RN case manager and Nurse Practitioner (NP). Watts has provided in-home care at the Landrum Hospice House and palliative homecare with Agape Care Group. She eventually joined Elite Home Care to oversee the operations of their 12 locations and approximately 600 staff members. Watts was recently recognized as a 2024 Women of Influence in Business by GSA Business. She is passionate about providing for individuals who are unable to care for themselves independently, especially advocating for seniors. She looks forward to having more influence with a reputable association like the SCHCHA.