FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 10, 2019
Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph County announce intent to merge
(High Point & Asheboro, NC) – The boards of directors of Hospice of the Piedmont (HOP) and Hospice of Randolph County (HRC) are pleased to announce that the two organizations have signed a letter of intent to merge. Pending approval from both boards of directors and any needed health care regulatory approvals, the merger is expected to be effective September 30. This announcement comes after months of due diligence, joint leadership involvement, and a meeting of both organizations’ boards of directors.
For the last year, HOP and HRC have collaboratively explored the benefits of a merger of equals. During these discussions, leaders were able to confirm each organization’s stability and fiscal health, as well as a common commitment to patients, families, staff and community, all of which were vital considerations.
“Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph County are very similar in mission, vision, and care delivery,” says Rhonda Moffitt, CEO of HRC. “Our ultimate goal is to continue to walk the path of serious illness with those we serve and to expand our services in order to provide care to more individuals and families every year.”
In recent years, the healthcare marketplace, including hospice, has become increasingly competitive. A merger of HOP and HRC will ensure that mission-centered care will be available for more individuals and families for the long term.
“Last year, there was significant investment in the for-profit hospice provider space in North Carolina. Consistent with national trends, for-profits account for more than two-thirds of all hospice providers nationally and more than one-half of all hospice providers across our service area,” explains Trent Cockerham, President/CEO of HOP. “These developments, along with a host of other considerations, help create opportunities in an increasingly crowded hospice marketplace.”
Over the next several months, HOP and HRC will work to align their brands in a manner that capitalizes on the recognition they have garnered over the last 40 years. HRC will continue doing business as Hospice of Randolph County, a subsidiary of HOP. Representatives of both organizations will make up a blended leadership structure. Trent Cockerham will lead the combined organization as CEO, and Rhonda Moffitt, current CEO of HRC, will serve as President/COO. Doug Page, CFO of HOP, will serve as CFO, and Tracy Wagner, CFO of HRC, will become Vice President of Finance and Administration. Additional vice-president and director-level leadership positions are already mapped out for the combined organization. HOP and HRC agree that staff layoffs will not be necessary as part of the merger.
“Through this merger, we will create greater capacity to serve our communities while maintaining the core values that guide our care each day,” says Moffitt. “Together, we will build upon the strengths of each organization in order to create new opportunities for service and growth.”
Together, HOP and HRC served more than 2,000 patients last year across their combined eight-county service area. Each organization provides in-home hospice care, as well as inpatient services at HOP’s 18-bed Hospice Home at High Point and HRC’s 16-bed Randolph Hospice House, bereavement services, and palliative care programming.
HOP and HRC have established and assembled a transition and integration team whose goal is to define the new organization’s guiding principles and evaluate ways to foster a successful transition for patients and families, as well as staff.
“As we work together toward becoming one, our highest priority will be maintaining excellent patient and family support,” says Cockerham.
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Hospice of the Piedmont is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to connect individuals and their families with the care they need on the terms they choose through hospice, palliative, and bereavement services. Since 1981, the agency has served four counties – Guilford, Randolph, Davidson, and Forsyth – from its High Point office.
Hospice of Randolph County is a local, non-profit hospice provider that has served more than 23,000 individuals with medical care and support services throughout Randolph County and surrounding areas over the last 36 years.
CONTACT:
Hospice of the Piedmont
Mary Leslie English, Director of Public and Donor Relations
Direct #: 336.878.7281
Office #: 336.889.8446