Health care merger brings new senior level positions

SARASOTA — Empath Health recently announced the senior level chief positions that will serve the newly merged nonprofit created by the merger of Empath Health and Stratum Health System. 

Lynne Craver, the new chief mission implementation officer, will lead the Mission Service Organization by partnering with other hospice and healthcare organizations to provide technology, financial and other services. 

Craver joined Empath Health in 2013 and served in roles that include overseeing the admissions and technology teams and the recent conversion to a new electronic medical records system. 

Empath’s chief mission financial officer role will be filled by Saida Bouhamid to unite the financial teams and ensure the continued financial strength and stability of the new organization. 

She was Stratum’s CFO for more than 10 years and COO since 2015. Bouhamid serves on the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Finance and Public Policy committees.

Randal Currin Jr. is stepping into the role of chief mission strategy and integration officer to oversee internal project management across all entities, change management as the two legacy organizations continue to come together, manage care initiatives, strategic planning and internal training.

Most recently, he was president and CEO of Blake Medical Center, an HCA hospital, and has more than 13 years of healthcare administration experience. 

The new chief legal and mission excellence officer will be Alan Weldy. He oversees legal affairs and the safety, quality, compliance and equitable access efforts of Empath Health. Weldy joined Stratum Health System in 2020 and has 34 years of legal experience and more than a decade of healthcare compliance experience. 

Previously he was general counsel and VP of human resources and compliance at Goshen Health in Indiana. 

“I am proud of the stellar qualities and expertise this leadership team brings to our organization, coupled with a deep understanding of our focus on the mission for serving our communities as a nonprofit,” says Empath Health CEO Rafael Sciullo. “This team will help shape Empath Health’s next chapter, so we can serve even more people during some of the most challenging times of their lives.”

Empath Health is currently conducting a nationwide search for a chief mission access officer, who will be charged with ensuring everyone in the service areas has full and equitable access to the programs and services.

“With mission being at the center of our purpose and service at Empath Health, these senior leaders will focus on continuing that charge, so we never waver in truly being the leaders in life- changing care,” says Jonathan Fleece, president of Empath Health.

Empath Health and Stratum Health System entered formal discussions to merge the two early last year. 

The move combined two integrated networks of care that share a commitment to the preservation of their charitable missions of nonprofit hospice, home care and community-based services. The health care system serves the Tampa Bay area and southwest Florida.