Board

CEO

Tom Koutsoumpas

Tom is the founder and CEO of NPHI, a passionate and innovative executive dedicated to advancing high-quality patient care delivery and ensuring healthcare organizations are prepared to meet the ongoing opportunities in the evolving landscape of healthcare. With a career spanning several decades, Tom has emerged as a prominent leader on Medicare, elder care, advanced illness, and hospice care issues. In 2023, he earned recognition as a Top Innovator by Modern Healthcare, an honor bestowed upon just 25 individuals each year. This accolade acknowledges his instrumental role in fostering innovation and steering NPHI’s expansion to over 100 members.

Prior to his current role, Tom served as CEO of Capital Caring Health for more than five years, overseeing the delivery of advanced illness, hospice, and palliative care services. Presently, he holds the esteemed position of Chairman of the Board, where he provides ongoing strategic guidance and leadership. Additionally, Tom is a co-founder and co-chair of the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC), a consortium of over 200 organizations dedicated to developing person-centered care models for individuals for the seriously ill. Furthermore, Tom is a co-founder and actively involved in ACTNow for Mental Health, a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to mental health services and support while addressing mental and behavioral health stigma among young adults aged 17-32.

Early in his career, Tom played a pivotal role in creating and developing the Medicare Hospice Benefit, expanding chronic disease management through the Accountable Care Act, and advocating for the Medicare Advantage program’s expansion. His extensive experience, coupled with his commitment to innovation and advocacy, positions him as a leading figure in advancing patient-centered care nationwide.

In addition to his role at NPHI, Tom founded and serves as President of Healthsperien, LLC, a nationally-recognized health care policy consulting firm focused on federal and state regulatory and legislative policy analysis, advocacy, and implementation issues. Their mission is to accelerate responsible and sustainable healthcare system innovation and transformation to improve health outcomes for all, especially the most vulnerable. He is also a member of the Roundtable on Quality Care for People with Serious Illness in the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which convenes experts in quality care for those with serious illnesses. Tom also serves as one of the leaders of the Project on Advanced Care at the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School.

Other notable accomplishments include serving as Senior Vice President and Founding Executive Director of the Mintz Levin Center for Health Law & Policy, a part of the Mintz Levin law firm. Tom served as Corporate Vice President of UnitedHealth Group, one of the nation’s largest healthcare companies, where he oversaw Public & Government Affairs and implemented their inaugural Crisis Communications initiative. Additionally, at UnitedHealth Group, Tom oversaw federal and state government relations during the implementation of Part D, the passage of the Accountable Care Act, and the expansion of the Medicare Advantage program.

Tom served as Executive Vice President and Chief of Public Affairs at VITAS Healthcare Corporation and, before that, served as Senior Advisor and Executive Assistant/Federal Affairs to former Indiana Governor (and later Senator) Evan Bayh. He was a health policy advisor with the Health Practice Group of the Hogan Lovells law firm (formerly Hogan and Hartson law firm), where he contributed to creating and developing the Medicare Hospice Benefit. He began his career working in the United States Senate and served as an associate in public affairs for Burson Marsteller.

In addition to being recognized as a Top Innovator by Modern Healthcare, Tom has drawn attention from numerous top-tier media outlets. In 2023, he was interviewed and featured in the Wall Street Journal. The article “Tom Koutsoumpas Wants to Ease the Ordeal of Dying” took the reader through his journey and work with hospice and advanced illness. In the fall of 2022, he was named to the Modern Healthcare Top 300 Influential People in Healthcare list, honoring those recognized as the most influential individuals in the industry regarding leadership and impact. Tom co-authored A Roadmap to Success: Transforming Advanced Illness Care in America and the foreword to the publication, Having Your Own Say: Getting the Right Care When It Matters Most (2012) by Gundersen Health System and the Center for Health Transformation. During COVID, Hospice News ran a piece on his work at Capital Caring and NPHI, “Changemakers: Tom Koutsoumpas, CEO, Capital Caring Health.”

Tom received his Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., attended Georgetown Law School, and serves on the Georgetown University Board of Regents.

Contact Matt Wilkinson at mwilkinson@hospiceinnovations.org for any media inquiries.

Board Chairperson

Samira Beckwith, LCSW, FACHE, LHD

Dr. Samira K. Beckwith is a pioneer in hospice care with over 40 years of experience, including three decades serving as President and CEO of Hope Healthcare. With her leadership, the organization grew from a hospice caring for fewer than 100 patients daily to a comprehensive community-based health care system caring for more than 4,000 individuals a day through a variety of innovative programs.

Her expertise and lifetime commitment to quality care is acknowledged throughout the state, nationally, and internationally. She was appointed to The White House Conference on Aging and previously served on a panel for the Senate Special Committee on Aging. She has testified before the House Judiciary subcommittee on the need for legislation to enable better care and comfort for those at the end of life. Within the state of Florida, she was given special recognition by Governors DeSantis, Scott, and Bush, having been appointed to their respective committees, including the Transition Advisory Committee on Health and Wellness, the Board of Directors for the Florida Center for Nursing, and the Long-Term Care Advisory Committee. Governor Jeb Bush describes Dr. Beckwith as “a visionary who provides leadership on a local and national level – passionate about ensuring the highest quality of service,” after serving as Vice-Chair on his Long-Term Care Advisory Committee.

As a dedicated champion for palliative care and end-of-life issues, Samira has served as Chair for both the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Hospice Foundation. In addition, she is the Founding President of the Florida PACE Providers Association and a co-founder of NPHI.

Dr. Beckwith’s leadership, career accomplishments, and commitment to diversity have also been honored. She was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, bestowed upon distinguished Americans who exemplify outstanding qualities in their personal and professional lives. She was also awarded The Ohio State Alumni Association’s highest recognition, The Medalist Award, presented to alumni who have gained national or international distinction in a chosen field.

She was granted a Doctor of Humane Letters by Piedmont College and Southwest Florida College, in addition to holding a Bachelor of Sociology Degree and a Master’s in Social Work from The Ohio State University, where she recently served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Vice Chair

Diana Franchitto, MBA

Diana Franchitto, president & CEO of HopeHealth, has been a strong, leading voice in hospice, palliative, and home health care for more than a decade. Serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, HopeHealth is one of the largest nonprofit hospice, palliative care, and home healthcare organizations in New England. The HopeHealth family of services includes HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, HopeHealth Community VNA, HopeHealth Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services, HopeHealth PediPal, and the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center.

At HopeHealth, Ms. Franchitto facilitated an academic affiliation to become the major teaching affiliate for hospice and palliative medicine of the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. In addition, Ms. Franchitto established palliative care partnerships with hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, accountable care entities, and payers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Franchitto held a variety of senior leadership positions at Caritas Christi Health Care (the predecessor organization to Steward Health Care), then the second largest healthcare system in Massachusetts, where she was responsible for marketing, communications, public affairs, and network development.

Ms. Franchitto has an MBA and a bachelor of science in business administration from Bentley University, Waltham, Massachusetts. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Ms. Franchitto serves on the board of directors of NPHI (Vice Chair), Rhode Island Quality Institute (immediate past chair), Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, CareLink (Vice Chair) and the Visiting Nurse Association of New England.

Secretary

Debbie Shumway

Debbie Shumway is Executive Director of Hospice of the Valley (HOV). She has devoted 29 years advancing the agency’s nonprofit mission: Bringing comfort, dignity, and compassionate care to our community. Debbie helped the organization grow from 140 patients per day in 1994 to over 6,000 patients per day with all of the agency’s programs, ranging from home-based primary care to palliative care, dementia care and hospice services.

Debbie provides leadership and direction for Arizona’s largest hospice with annual revenues in excess of $200 million. A certified public accountant, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for 22 years prior to her appointment in 2016 as Executive Director.

Under Debbie’s supervision, the agency has expanded services with an ongoing focus of providing excellent patient care. This is accomplished with an amazing leadership team and dedicated, compassionate employees. The core strength of the agency is a service-oriented culture that puts patients and families first with an emphasis on employee development and retention.

Partnerships and consolidations have strengthened Hospice of the Valley’s leadership position in a growing and competitive healthcare market. She oversees and participates in new program development and partnerships with other healthcare organizations seeking hospice, palliative care, and advanced illness services.

In 2022, Hospice of the Valley opened an innovative Dementia Care and Education Campus to provide support for caregivers and individuals living with dementia, and to train a dementia-capable workforce for the future. The Campus features an education center, an adult day program with an adjacent childcare center for intergenerational enrichment, a small assisted living center and a dementia hospice inpatient home. The Campus is the hub for Hospice of the Valley’s Supportive Care for Dementia program, which this past year supported over 2,000 individuals in their homes, helping improve quality of life for those living with dementia and their caregivers.

Debbie lives with her husband in Phoenix and is the mother of three adult children.

Treasurer

Karen Rubel

Karen Rubel currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer at Nathan Adelson Hospice. She joined the organization in 2007 as the Vice President for Development. She has extensive experience in operations, administration, major gifts fundraising and building development programs, along with strong leadership skills and strategic planning abilities.

Ms. Rubel has been influential in developing programs to enhance the experience of the hospice’s patients and their loved ones. Aside from leading the hospice team in forging relationships with large donors and health care entities, she has been instrumental in enhancing hospice operations and community outreach programs. Her accomplishments are many, with thousands of individuals in the Southern Nevada community being helped at a sensitive time in their lives.

Ms. Rubel earned a B.A. in English from Eastern Illinois University, and an M.A. in Administration from Dominican University in Illinois. She is a graduate of the Thayer Institute with a Master’s in Leadership Arts and Sciences.

Her professional and community accomplishments include serving as a board member of NPHI, a member of the Board of Directors for Girls Scouts of Southern Nevada, a member of the Board of Directors, Nevada Donor Network, and a member of the Board of Directors, Vegas PBS. She is a 2023 Healthcare Hero honoree and one of 2022 Women to Watch by Nevada Business Magazine, Top 100 Women by My Vegas magazine, 2015 Women to Watch by Vegas Inc., and recognized as one of 10 Women Who Mean Business by the Las Vegas Business Press in 2012. She is a 2018 Jameson Fellow and graduated Leadership Las Vegas in 2011.

Director

Cathy Conway

Cathy Conway serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Hospice of Santa Cruz County. She is dedicated to ensuring the long term vitality of the organization during this complex and changing time in healthcare. She brings a wealth of experience to her role in leading her community’s largest and only nonprofit hospice. Cathy joined the organization in 2004 as the Director of Development and has been instrumental in the development of its community-funded programs, which enrich the hospice program. She is deeply invested in her community and in her organization’s vision that all members of the community live and die with dignity. She commits to upholding that vision through advancing innovation, program development, access to care, major gifts cultivation, strategic planning, and leadership development.

In her previous role as Chief Mission Officer at the organization, Cathy was instrumental in the formation of The California Hospice Network, a strategic partnership committed to sustaining local nonprofit, community-based hospice care. The network’s member organizations are working, sharing, and planning together to create stronger community hospices that deliver exceptional patient care to those experiencing serious illness and grief.

Cathy began her career as an executive in the for-profit sector of high-tech publishing. During that time, she began volunteering at a residential hospice in San Francisco. Inspired by volunteering at the bedside, she left the corporate sector and entered the nonprofit sector. Cathy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University.

Cathy serves on the Board of Directors and on the executive committee of the Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County, a nonprofit coalition of public and private health care leaders dedicated to increasing access to health care and building stronger local health care systems. She is active in her community as a member of the United Way of Santa Cruz County’s Women in Philanthropy, Dominican Hospital’s Women of Wellness, and the Cabrillo College Women’s Educational Success programs. She is a past Board member and present faculty member of the Mount Madonna Institute where she continues to study and teach yoga and meditation as tools for wellbeing.

Director

David W. Cook, MBA

David W. Cook, MBA, is president and chief executive officer of Hosparus Health, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit care providers for patients and families facing serious illness. For over 40 years, the $90 million mission-driven organization has been a trusted partner to nearly 10,000 patients annually across a 41-county service area in Kentucky and Indiana. As the largest nonprofit in Louisville, Hosparus Health has been championing equitable healthcare access for all members of the community since 1978.

Since assuming the role in September 2021, David has overseen operational and strategic efforts in response to the community’s changing healthcare needs. Under his leadership, the organization has broadened its scope of services to provide its patient-centered model across the continuum of care for those facing complex medical conditions.

David is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of operational and financial leadership experience within the healthcare and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, he served as president and chief executive officer of Carolina Caring in Newton, North Carolina. During his five-year tenure with the organization, David expanded service offerings and oversaw the development of the community-based pediatric palliative and hospice program, Carolina Kids.

Before joining Carolina Caring, David spent over 15 years with Hosparus, where he started his career in healthcare after working in the banking industry. Throughout his time with the organization, he held several key leadership positions, including chief operating officer. In each role, David sought innovative opportunities to build on Hosparus’ history of compassion to improve the quality of life for people of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of their ability to pay.

David has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting, and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University. He currently serves on the boards of NPHI, Kentucky Association of Hospice & Palliative Care, and the CEOc (formerly Louisville Healthcare CEO Council). In 2023, he was recognized as a Health Care Hero Innovator honoree in the Louisville area by Louisville Business First.

A native of the Kentuckiana area, David now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife and their three sons.

Director

William E. Finn

Bill Finn has been involved in hospice and end-of-life care for 40 years. Bill has held CEO positions at multiple nonprofit hospices and has been active at both the state and national level in advancing innovation, access, and quality of care at the end of life. Bill has served on multiple state and federal association boards and has spoken and consulted extensively. Bill is the President & CEO of Western Reserve Care Solutions and Hospice of the Western Reserve, based in Cleveland, and regularly volunteers in hospice inpatient units as a caregiver.

Bill received his Master of Business Administration degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and has a certification in Hospice and Palliative Care Administration.

Director

Phillip W. Heath

Phillip W. Heath is the president and CEO of Samaritan, an independent nonprofit provider of home-based healthcare and supportive services in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Founded in Moorestown in 1980 as one of the country’s first hospices, Samaritan now provides an expanding range of life-enhancing services for more than 11,000 patients and their families annually in five New Jersey counties.

Before joining the Samaritan leadership team, Phillip’s career was distinguished by 30 years of leadership experience with various local, regional, and national healthcare organizations in the areas of sales, marketing, business development, government affairs, and operations. With extensive experience in the hospice, senior housing, long-term care, and healthcare technology arena, he was also involved in corporate community affairs, social responsibility, inclusion and diversity initiatives, and as a community volunteer throughout his career.

Phillip served as Chief Marketing and Sales Officer and Chief Administrative Officer with a provider of long-term care services and Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Most recently he was the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for a healthcare technology firm where he was responsible for providing instructional leadership to department managers, working to develop and implement the company’s strategic plan, administrative policies, and performance of all corporate departments.

Phillip currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the NPHI, Responsive Care Solutions, and the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey.

Phillip holds a B.A. from Morehouse College and an M.S. in Health Services Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy. He earned a certificate in Healthcare Leadership from Cornell University and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. At Samaritan, Phillip is responsible for leading the vision, mission, and strategic direction to provide advanced clinical expertise and extraordinary compassion through our comprehensive and growing family of life-enhancing services including primary care at home, palliative medicine, hospice care, grief support, education, and advocacy.

Prior to being unanimously elected to the role of President and CEO in 2022, Phillip led Samaritan’s volunteer board of trustees as chairman for four years, working alongside the senior leadership team to expand the organization’s care options to help more people—especially those who are most vulnerable—in more ways.

Throughout his career, Phillip has understood his mission of service to be “provide what the patient wants and what the patient needs.” That priority continues today as he leads Samaritan’s mission to help patients, and those who care about them, live their best lives every day.

Director

Viki Jingle

Viki Jingle has served as the Chief Executive Officer at Community Healthcare of Texas since 2017. She first joined the organization when it was founded in 1996 and was instrumental in its growth to become the state’s largest nonprofit hospice and palliative care provider.

Before being named CEO of Community Healthcare of Texas, Viki worked in the for-profit hospice sector for more than six years. This experience gave her a unique perspective and understanding of the philosophical differences between for-profit and nonprofit hospice providers. She firmly believes that patients and families are negatively impacted when hospice and palliative care providers are more focused on bottom-line profits than individualized care. Viki is an advocate for patient-centered care and is proud to work in the nonprofit hospice sector, where she can ensure patients, families, and communities have access to exceptional care regardless of financial limitations.

Viki is a member of the nonprofit Hospice Alliance where she collaborates with healthcare providers at the local, state, and national levels to identify and eliminate barriers to care for those facing a serious or life-limiting illness. During her tenure as CEO, Viki has successfully navigated the challenges of the ever-changing healthcare environment while expanding Community Healthcare of Texas services to include palliative care.

Viki attended The University of Texas at Arlington, receiving a degree in Accounting, and the University of Dallas, where she received a master’s degree in Business Administration.

Director

Patricia “Patti” Moore, APRN, MSN

Patrice C. “Patti” Moore, APRN, RN, MSN, is President and Founder of The Watershed Group, a nationwide healthcare consulting and coaching company working with organizations and people to attain advanced levels of success and achieve their ideal mission. Since 1999, Patti and The Watershed Group have tailored their services to meet the unique needs of each client and achieve positive growth and financial stability. Patti is a Certified High-Performance Coach, expert consultant, and thought leader in end-of-life care.

Patti’s insights help clients create and sustain high-performance cultures in order to realize their full potential—even in periods of change and transition.

Prior to founding The Watershed Group, Patti was the Executive Director of Hospice of North Central Florida (now Haven Hospice), leading that organization to a position of national prominence. She began her career in the nursing profession, where her commitment to service and compassionate leadership first took root. Ms. Moore was a surveyor/consultant for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, former president of Florida Hospices and Palliative Care, Inc., founding member of the National Hospice Work Group, Board member of the National Hospice Foundation, founding Board member of NPHI and Board member at Oak Hammock CCRC in Gainesville, Florida. She has spoken widely on issues of caring for the dying and end-of-life care.

Patti is the author of the book, No Mission No Margin: Creating a Successful Hospice with Care and Competence and co-author of the book How Goes It With Your Soul.

Patti has her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nursing from the University of Florida. She lives with her husband in Gainesville, Florida.

Director

Lynne Sexten, FACHE

Ms. Sexten has been with Agrace since 2012. During her tenure, Agrace has grown tremendously. Hospice census has increased 100%, a second hospice inpatient unit was opened, as well as a new hospice memory care unit. Additional satellite offices were established, a palliative care program was initiated, a non-medical home care company and an adult day center were launched, as was a new home medical equipment company.

Ms. Sexten came to Agrace from Unity Point Health – Meriter in Madison, Wisconsin where she served as executive vice president and chief operating officer. During her tenure, she was responsible for all inpatient and outpatient clinical services. She oversaw the development of a new multi-specialty medical group with eight clinic locations as well as the complete replacement of health system’s operating rooms.

She holds a master’s degree in health care administration and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical communications from The Ohio State University. She is certified as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Ms. Sexten is active in the community, serving on several local boards and committees. She has been recognized for her leadership with several awards including being named one of Madison’s Most Influential People in 2015. Ms. Sexten is presently the Chair of the Board for the Wisconsin Hospice and Palliative Care Association, a director of NPHI, and a national director for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.