Hospice president/CEO to retire; replacement announced

        Hospice of Northwest Ohio announced the retirement of President/CEO Judy Seibenick RN, MOL effective this spring.
        Seibenick’s retirement comes after 40 years of service to the agency, more than 20 of those years as President/CEO. Richard E. Russell MBA, BSN, RN, CHPCA has been selected to take over as new President/CEO.
        Leadership remains local
        The Hospice Board of Trustees chose Russell, a Northwest Ohio native, to take over as President/CEO after conducting a nationwide search. He has 30 years of healthcare experience spanning nursing and administration, and has served in multiple leadership capacities covering three major environments of provider care settings, including academic, acute, and post-acute/end-of-life care.
        Russell has been involved with hospice and home health for the past 16 years, where he led operations, both clinical and administrative, as well as compliance and financials. Most recently he served as Vice President of Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer for Post-Acute Services, as well as serving as General Manager of the Midwest Division at ProMedica Health System.
        “I have been a nurse for more than 30 years, and have developed a passion for hospice and palliative care,” Russell said. “To be able to provide care and support for families at a time when it is needed most is a privilege, and I am honored to be able to work with the team at Hospice of Northwest Ohio to continue its powerful legacy in the community.”
        Seibenick has been with Hospice of Northwest Ohio – a non-profit agency and first Medicare certified hospice in Ohio – since its inception in 1981. One of its three original nurses, she paved the way for this little-known agency and form of care, ultimately becoming executive director in 2000 (title changed to President/CEO in 2019).
        Hospice of Northwest Ohio has grown from serving a handful of patients with a staff of five, to caring for more than 400 patients a day with a staff of 400, plus 165 volunteers. Most of the growth occurred under Seibenick’s leadership and has been carefully managed to preserve the agency’s compassionate culture and commitment to highest quality care.
        Formed in 1981, the agency marks its 40th anniversary in 2021. To learn more, visit hospicenwo.org.