Community Hospice of Modesto hires a new CEO, who will implement ‘necessary change’
Alisa Bettis, who has held leadership roles in health care, will start a new position next month as chief executive officer of the nonprofit Community Hospice in Modesto.
Bettis comes to Community Hospice from the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, where she was associate director for six years. Her experience also has included administrative positions at Bloss Memorial Healthcare District in Atwater and Kaiser Permanente.
Bettis will follow in the footsteps of C. DeSha McLeod, who resigned in October 2021 after eight years as CEO of Community Hospice. John Renner, director of logistics and operations, has been the interim CEO for almost the past year. Bettis will begin the new position Sept. 6.
Susan Donker, Community Hospice board chairwoman, said in a news release Wednesday that Bettis has a background in clinical operations, planning and compliance and has the compassionate character needed to lead the hospice.
“We are thrilled to have Alisa join Community Hospice and feel she is a perfect complement to our leadership team and Community Hospice family,” Renner said. “Her invaluable background and experiences will support our staff and most importantly, help us better serve our patients and their families.”
Bettis said in an email Thursday that, with the board’s support, she will implement necessary change for the organization. Community Hospice will strengthen outreach efforts to provide palliative care and hospice services to more people in need and hopes to expand use of the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, her email said.
Bettis said the medical staff and clinical teams will continue their work of building relationships with the health care community.
According to the news release, Bettis oversaw budgeting at the county Health Services Agency and clinical operations serving 55,000 patient visits a year.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento, and a master’s in business administration from Stanislaus State University.
“I am very excited to join Community Hospice and its excellent team,” Bettis said in the news release. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the dedicated Community Hospice and Foundation boards, volunteers and talented health care professionals and staff.”
Community Hospice is a nonprofit agency providing end-of-life care for patients and support for their families. About 2,000 patients and families are assisted every year in their homes, skilled nursing facilities and the 16-room Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson.
The hospice also provides palliative care and grief support.
This story was originally published August 25, 2022 at 8:54 AM.
