The affiliation is rooted in the organizations’ shared mission of providing compassionate, high-quality care to those facing serious illness and end-of-life. It aims to enhance service delivery, improve operational efficiencies, and bolster long-term sustainability - all while preserving the unique identities and local operations of both organizations.

A Unified Vision for Compassionate Care

David Cook, Hosparus Health President and CEO, said, "This formal affiliation is designed to strengthen and improve resiliency for our organizations. Rest assured, we will continue to honor and maintain the distinct identities and local presence that our communities have come to cherish. This affiliation is a testament to our shared commitment to working together and enhancing care for our communities."

“Both Bluegrass Care Navigators and Hosparus Health share a joint mission: to provide exceptional, compassionate, high-quality care to those facing frailty, serious illness and end-of- life,” added Liz Fowler, President and CEO of Bluegrass Care Navigators. “Our long histories of service, innovation, and excellence make this affiliation a natural and exciting next step.”

Formation of A New Parent Organization

While a name has not yet been selected for a new parent organization, its name will be representative of Bluegrass Care Navigators’ and Hosparus Health’s new shared mission and announced soon. The yet-to-be-named new parent organization will oversee the combined operations of Bluegrass Care Navigators and Hosparus Health, while both organizations will retain their names and maintain locally delivered healthcare services of the highest quality. The new parent organization will allow Bluegrass Care Navigators and Hosparus Health to share resources and combine synergies to better serve their respective communities.

Key Highlights:

• New Parent Organization: Bluegrass Care Navigators and Hosparus Health will join under a new nonprofit joint parent organization. Both organizations will retain their names and maintain locally delivered, high quality healthcare services.
• Leadership Transition: The boards of Bluegrass Care Navigators and Hosparus Health have appointed the new parent organization’s initial joint leadership team of Liz Fowler/CEO and David Cook/President, with David Cook transitioning into the CEO role, expected January 1, 2026.
• Governance: As a nonprofit organization, the new parent organization will be governed by a board of directors with equal representation from Bluegrass Care Navigators and Hosparus Health.
• Operational Timeline: Pending regulatory approvals and final board endorsements, the affiliation is expected to become effective in early 2025.

Benefits of the Affiliation:

• Enhanced Patient Care: The affiliation aims to sustain the highest quality and reach of patient care services by combining best practices and resources.
• Financial Efficiencies: The affiliation will enable the organizations to achieve economies of scale, particularly in resource management to sustain Bluegrass Care Navigators’ and Hosparus Health’s long-term financial sustainability.
• Career Growth Opportunities: Employees will have access to new professional development opportunities and career pathways within the larger, new organization.
• Stronger Advocacy: A unified voice will enhance the ability to advocate for hospice and palliative care services at the state and national levels.

Next Steps

Over the next several months, board members and senior leaders from both organizations will collaborate to establish the mission, objectives, and strategic directions of the new parent organization. They will keep staff, volunteers, and community partners informed and engaged by providing regular updates throughout this process.

Media Contacts

Bluegrass Care Navigators: Laura Klumb,  lklumb@bgcarenav.org, 859-684-5605

Hosparus Health: Dyan Duncan, dduncan@hosparus.org, 502-814-5439

About Bluegrass Care Navigators

Established in 1978, Bluegrass Care Navigators is a nationally recognized, leading nonprofit provider of expert care for the frail and elderly in 32 counties across northern, central, and eastern Kentucky. Our compassionate team of over 700 employees and 300 volunteers supports more than 16,000 patients annually with transitional care, home health, PACE (the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), palliative care, integrative medicine, hospice care, and grief counseling services. For more information on Bluegrass Care Navigators services, visit www.bgcarenav.org or call 855.492.0812.

About Hosparus Health

Established in 1978, Hosparus Health is one of the nation’s largest and most respected community-based, nonprofit care providers for those facing serious illnesses. For over 45 years, the mission-driven organization has championed equitable healthcare access by delivering specialized programs and holistic services across 41 counties in Kentucky and Indiana. Through the support of nearly 700 employees and over 500 volunteers, Hosparus Health’s person-centered approach is focused on improving the quality of life for over 14,000 patients and families annually. Its interdisciplinary teams provide support for serious illnesses across the continuum, including

medical care, symptom and medication management, grief counseling, hospice care, and palliative medicine. For more information about Hosparus Health, please call 800-264-0521 or visit www.HosparusHealth.org.