Dan Ayres, President & CEO of Helios Care, has announced his resignation from the organization, where he has held this position for eight years. The difficult decision was made by Ayres and his family which will lead to his next step in his long career in healthcare systems management. Dan will continue to serve at Helios Care until April 21st. A brief message from Dan:
“The opportunity provides a variety of benefits as I enter my remaining working years and prepares my wife and I for retirement. Although many personal factors were in consideration, I am not leaving Helios Care because I am unhappy, to the contrary, I am very proud of the organization and where we are positioned in the local healthcare environment. I have enjoyed working with board, leadership and staff. I am very proud of all that we have accomplished and know that the course is set for future success regardless of who is at the helm. The leadership team is solid, the team is experienced and has a culture of compassion, caring, and innovation. Thank you for your support and belief in the plan through the last 8 years.”
Dan came to Helios Care in November of 2016 and has since been the driving force behind tremendous organizational growth and positive changes, including the name change from Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care to Helios Care. This change was influential for the community, and opened up the conversation about all Helios Care services that are available to residents in our service area, not just for those who are suffering with a serious illness. Dan has also been instrumental in instituting new initiatives within the organization and is a very active member within our regional healthcare world.
“This has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make,” said Ayres, “Working in this community to improve the lives of our residents during the last journey of their lives has been a privilege, and I know the team will continue to advance the mission of compassionate care with choices, and above all, dignity, for each patient served.”
Chairman of the Helios Care Board, Jeff Woeppel, said this about Dan’s service to the organization, “It is with deep regret and sincere appreciation that the Board of Helios Care accepts the resignation of Dan Ayres, President and CEO. For eight years, Dan has led the organization with vision, quality enrichment, community and individual relationship development, and simply stated, the ability to get things done. All with a steady hand in a volatile industry. Perhaps his most notable achievement is the manner in which the organization successfully continued to provide services through the Covid-19 Pandemic. His presence, positivism, and resourcefulness will be missed.”
Needless to say, Dan’s impact has been profound and he will be greatly missed by not only our staff, but the greater community, and we wish him all of the best in his future endeavors. Thank you, Dan!
A transition plan is underway to ensure a seamless handover of responsibilities with patient care always at front of mind. Helios Care remains steadfast in its mission of making life easier for patients and families who are facing a serious illness, and is committed to upholding these values for their patients and the community. A search committee has been established by the Helios Care Board and will begin interviewing candidates soon. If interested in applying for this position, please contact Ron Brooke, Director of Human Resources, at Helios Care, at (607) 432-6773. The full job posting will be available on our website soon.
