News

Community Hospice & Health Services Appoints Mathew Francis as Interim Chief Executive Officer

September 30, 2024

For Immediate Release

Community Hospice & Health Services Appoints Mathew Francis as Interim Chief Executive Officer

A smiling older man with a beard, wearing a light blue striped shirt, against a blurred dark background.

Modesto, CA (September 27, 2024) – The Community Hospice & Health Services Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment Mathew Francis as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Francis replaces Alisa Bettis, Community Hospice & Health Services President/CEO who resigned after two years tenure in early September.

“We look forward to welcoming Mathew to the Community Hospice & Health Services as Interim CEO and are confident with his extensive executive experience and knowledge in leadership he will continue to work with the Leadership team to ensure the continuity of operations and strategic initiatives while searching for a new permanent replacement,” shared Chad Van Houten, Community Hospice & Health Services Board Chair.

As the Interim CEO, Francis will be responsible for guiding the organization during this transitional period. His key priorities will include ensuring stability, providing strategic leadership, and strengthening stakeholder engagement.

Francis brings over thirty-five years of experience at the executive level, including twelve as Co-Founder and President of Pacific Rim Advisory Group, LLC, located in Modesto, CA. He has led strategic, tactical, and operational planning in multiple facets of enterprise, including non-profit. Francis has proven exceptional leadership, communication, and collaborative skills at all levels of an organization, resulting in improved financial performance, effectiveness, and efficiency.

Following the resignation of Alisa Bettis, the Board has established a Search Committee to spearhead the recruitment of a new President/Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization.

Community Hospice & Health Services maintains our commitment to service excellence and mission to embrace individuals and families facing life-changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Mathew Francis as he assumes the role of Interim CEO at Community Hospice & Health Services.

Contacts: Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice & Health Services | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301

About Community Hospice & Health Services

Community Hospice & Health Services is a nonprofit, community-based agency, serving the Central Valley since 1979. Community Hospice & Health Services embraces more than 2,500 patients and families each year providing support through vital programs including hospice and palliative care for adults and pediatrics, general inpatient care at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, bereavement support, outpatient mental health counseling for adults and children, and Camp Wokini, a youth camp for children and teens who have experiences loss. For more information about Community Hospice & Health Services programs call 209.578.6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

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Photos: HOPS & VINES

August 22, 2024

We had an amazing time with our community at this year’s HOPS & VINES, supporting the continuing mission of Community Hospice & Health Services at our annual gala!

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors, donors, volunteers and staff that helped to make this year’s HOPS & VINES a success!

Announcing Mission Possible: Now and Forever

June 11, 2024

For Immediate Release
Contacts: Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice & Health Services | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301
Mission Possible – Now & Forever

Modesto (June 12, 2024) – Community Hospice & Health Services Foundation is excited to announce the Public Phase of their Mission Possible – Now & Forever Campaign. This strategic community initiative aims to raise more than six million dollars to support Community Hospice & Health Services, the oldest and largest non-profit hospice and support services organization caring for those in the Central Valley of California the past 45 years. There are two aspects to the campaign, Now and Forever.

The “Now” component addresses the following patient centered needs:

  • The evolution of core hospice care services includes strengthening the interdisciplinary clinical teams to best serve our diverse communities.
  • Expansion of our pediatric hospice and palliative care programs which will encompass a new Family Suite at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House and modernization of patient care systems.
  • Developing a home for Hope Counseling and Bereavement Services to meet the growing needs of our community members who are dealing with mental health issues and/or grieving the loss of a loved one.

The “Forever” aspect of the campaign is geared to build the Endowment. This fund will ensure Community Hospice & Health Services is here for generations to come, meeting the needs of those at end-of-life and the emotionally hurt through quality programs that have the hallmarks of compassionate care and stellar education.

The Mission Possible effort is led by Chairman Tom Eakin who shared, “I am truly honored to be a part of this opportunity to invest in the future of this worthy non-profit organization that consistently turns no one away for hospice services based on ability to pay.”

Tom is joined by the campaign Leadership Cabinet of 50 distinguished, mission minded individuals who are passionate about ensuring Community Hospice & Health Services is available to you and your family when you need them most.

Foundation Executive Director, Monica Ojcius stated, “As we launch the public phase of Mission Possible – Now & Forever we are thrilled to communicate that we have commitments of over $3 million dollars to date.  Thanks to a group of devoted donors who have dedicated a $2 million dollar challenge grant, we are off to an excellent start!”

One of the early contributors is Kathy Olivera who is helping to develop the Hope Counseling and Bereavement Center. Kathy has had two significant hospice experiences in her life. The first was when she lost her mother and the second was the devastating loss of her teenage son. Kathy noted, “I am uplifted that Community Hospice & Health Services is expanding their Hope Counseling and Bereavement Support programs to serve our community. I have given a leadership gift to ensure other people will not have to go through the pain I experienced without access to the help they need.” Kathy joins the 89% of families reported by Hospice Compare Data in May of 2024 who would recommend Community Hospice & Health Services as their hospice agency of choice.

“The mission and compassionate care provided by Community Hospice & Health Services is critical for our community members in their time of need,” shared Alisa Bettis, Community Hospice & Health Services President/CEO, “Please join us today in becoming an “Agent for Good” to make our Mission Possible Campaign a success.”

To learn more about the Mission Possible Campaign and how your gift can make a lasting impact or create a legacy, call 209.578.6370 or go to give.hospiceheart.org.

About Community Hospice & Health Services Foundation

Community Hospice & Health Services Foundation is a community-based nonprofit, raising awareness and funds to support the patients and families of Community Hospice & Health Services. 

About Community Hospice & Health Services

Community Hospice & Health Services is a nonprofit, community-based agency, serving the Central Valley since 1979. Community Hospice & Health Services embraces more than 2,500 patients and families each year providing support through vital programs including hospice and palliative care for adults and pediatrics, general inpatient care at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, hospice family bereavement support, outpatient mental health counseling for adults and children, community crisis response and Camp Wokini, a youth camp for children and teens who have experiences loss. For more information about Community Hospice & Health Services programs call 209.578.6300, visit hospiceheart.org, or email mpr@hospiceheart.org. ###

Photos: Sapphire Gala

May 8, 2024

We had an amazing time with our community celebrating 45 years of service and the continuing mission of Community Hospice & Health Services at our annual gala!

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors, donors, volunteers and staff that helped to make this year’s gala a success!

More Photos

Light Up A Life to be held in Modesto, Turlock and Oakdale

October 24, 2023

For Immediate Release

Contacts: Kristin Mostowski | Director of Public Relations, Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301

Join Us for the First Annual Light Up A Life Tree Lighting

The Friends of Community Hospice & Health Services are pleased to partner with Turlock Funeral Home and CEO Lonnie Alvares this December, for the first annual “Light Up A Life” tree-lighting ceremony held in our community.

While this is a longstanding tradition for Stanislaus County to have a tree lighting to remember loved ones lost, this will be the first time the event is held in Turlock. Pam DiFrancia, Event Chair, stated that, “Light Up A Life is our most time-honored event. For almost 40 years, we have held a tree-lighting ceremony in Modesto. We are excited to offer the Turlock community this special opportunity to honor and memorialize their loved ones.”

The ceremony will be held at 425 N. Soderquist Road on the grounds of the Turlock Funeral Home. Starting at 5:30 p.m. there will be a cocoa and cookie reception next to the Chapel followed by a brief program and tree lighting.

“We are excited to announce that our former CEO and current Chairman of the Board of Directors of Turlock Funeral Home, Scott Atherton, and his wife, Nancy, will be our first annual Tree Lighters. Scott helped establish Turlock Funeral Home in 2005, and he is pleased to join us in offering our families, friends, and community members a moment of healing and hope,” stated Alvares.

If you or someone you know has lost a person close to them and wishes to honor them with a symbolic light on our tree, or purchase an ornament for your own family tree, please visit give.hospiceheart.org.

About Community Hospice & Health Services Foundation

Community Hospice & Health Services Foundation, established in 2001, raises funds and awareness for Community Hospice & Health Services, fulfilling the mission to embrace individuals facing life changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all.

About Community Hospice & Health Services

Community Hospice & Health Services is a nonprofit, community-based agency, serving the Central Valley since 1979. Community Hospice & Health Services embraces more than 2,500 patients and families each year providing support through vital programs including hospice and palliative care for adults and pediatrics, general inpatient care at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, bereavement support, outpatient mental health counseling for adults and children, and Camp Wokini, a youth camp for children and teens who have experiences loss. For more information about Community Hospice & Health Services programs call 209.578.6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

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