ASHLAND – Linda Hickey, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of Hospice of North Central Ohio since 2010, has announced that she will retire effective Aug. 2.
“It’s been an honor and privilege to work with passionate people who invest of their time, energy and dollars to ensure our community hospice is among the best in the state of Ohio. I am proud of the work we’ve done together over the past six years,” Hickey said in her announcement. “I have learned so much during my time here and am grateful to be part of an organization impacting thousands of lives every year. After I retire, I look forward to staying involved in community efforts.”
Hospice of North Central Ohio made several strides throughout Hickey’s tenure. New standards were achieved for compliance with the 2008 Conditions of Participation regulations set forth by Medicare and Medicaid, ensuring Hospice of North Central Ohio continues to be recognized as a quality compliant, not-for-profit, legacy hospice.
Hickey moved the organization to electronic medical record improving communications and relationships with community health care providers and payors.
Hickey championed to increase the demographic footprint of communities served by the hospice organization. In 2014 Hospice of Knox County became an affiliate of Hospice of North Central Ohio, and together the organization has served more than 2,400 patients and enriched the non-funded service lines in all six counties served.
In 2015 Hospice of North Central Ohio secured accreditation with deemed status through the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), signifying the organization’s care standards exceed industry standards.
An active member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, LeadingAge Ohio and The Hospice of Ohio, Hickey has served as a member of the Ohio Quality and the Policy and Procedure committees.
“A measure of Linda’s leadership is the strength of the HNCO team, at both the staff and board levels, and of the relationships created across the communities,” said Steve Englet, Chairman of the Board of Directors. The board, co-led by Englet and Vice Chairman Joshua Hughes, will conduct a search for Hickey’s successor.
Prior to joining Hospice of North Central Ohio in 2007, Hickey was a Surgical Intensive Care Nurse, Nurse Manager for Orthopedics, Pediatrics and Renal Services, and Clinical Nurse Liaison throughout her 15 years with MedCentral Hospital. Hickey was previously employed by Samaritan Regional Health System as an Operating Room Circulating Nurse and the Director of the ten-bed Intensive Care Unit.
Hickey currently serves at the local level on the board of directors for Brethren Care Village and is a member of Saint Edward’s Church where she served on the church council.
