Leadership Changes Announced at JAA

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

A Message from JAA Board Chair, Lou Plung:

This morning, I write to share news of a leadership change at JAA.

As you know, Debbie Winn-Horvitz has served as our CEO for more than a decade, driving continued innovation across our continuum of care. She recently asked to makea change in her role, to allow her to focus specifically on organizational strategy for JAA, while providing her the flexibility she needs to care for her own aging parents.

As a result, I’m very pleased to share the news with you that Mary Anne Foley, our current Chief Operating Officer, will become our new CEO, as Debbie transitions to a new role as Chief Strategy Officer, effective May 1, 2022.

A nationally recognized leader in the aging industry, Debbie’s new role will allow her to focus more deeply on strategies for sustainability, innovation, and the shifting needs ofthe aging population.

Debbie has led the JAA with passion for the last ten years and we look forward to her continued impact in her new role. In recent years, her strategic focus has proven critical to the organization, as she led the team through the mental, physical, and financial toll of fighting COVID-19. Her vision and leadership also allowed the JAA to open AHAVA, which is the premier, state-of-the-art memory care facility in Pennsylvania and to bring new technologies, innovations and programs to the organization’s portfolio of care such as the New Riverview affiliation, PT at the JCC, Care Navigator, and HUD Service Coordination.

As we look to the future of JAA, we’re working to bring the best services possible to theaging population in our region. Drawing on her relationships and expertise working with several national organizations in the senior care industry, Debbie will research initiatives in other parts of the nation, evaluate current market trends and community needs, and look for opportunities that will preserve the highest quality care for seniorsin times of change.

As many of you know, Mary Anne has been with JAA for a decade, spending the last five years as COO. Prior to serving as COO, Mary Anne was our Vice-President of Home and Community Services and Executive Director for Home Health and Hospice.

She has been responsible for day-to-day operations across all lines of business,including nursing and resident care, facility management, infection control, dietary services, and pastoral care.

Before coming to JAA, Mary Anne was Executive Director of Cedars of Monroeville/Cedars Community Hospice. At Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh/UPMC Mercy, she was Vice President of Patient Care/Chief Nursing Officer, and excelled at hospital operations and oversight of Mercy’s nursing program.

She spent six years at UPMC Braddock Hospital in executive level positions in patient care, nursing, and psychiatric and behavioral health services. She is also a certified Pittsburgh Police Academy instructor in mental health and substance abuse, and is an advanced psychiatric nurse surveyor for the Centers for Medicare and MedicaidServices.
Beyond her incredible experience, Mary Anne is deeply committed to our residents and families and shows her passion for care each and every day.

As of May 1, Mary Anne will lead our organization forward with a focus on now, while Debbie is focused on our future and longer-term plans for sustainability.

As Board Chair, I feel we have a responsibility to think ahead, innovate, and be prepared to adapt to meet the needs of our residents and families. I’m thrilled to share our plans as we continue to move the JAA into the future.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Louis Plung
Chair
Board of Directors