By Ken Jackson
Staff Writer

Cornerstone Hospice, a nonprofit provider of care for terminally-ill patients across Central Florida, including in Osceola County, welcomed new leadership at the start of 2013.

Charles “Chuck” Lee, MA, MBA, a hospice industry veteran, was named Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone late last year, and officially took the helm on Wednesday.

Lee replaces interim CEO Mary Manrique, who led the organization since February and will resume her role as Cornerstone Hospice’s Chief Operations Officer.

“I am honored and humbled to be asked to serve the team at Cornerstone Hospice,” Lee said in a organization release. “Cornerstone has a long tradition of excellence in serving dying persons and their loved ones in Central Florida, and I’m excited to play a part in keeping that tradition strong in the years ahead.”

Lee most recently served as Chief Operations Officer at Hospice of Chattanooga in Tennessee, and also served as Senior Vice President of Operations at Covenant Hospice in Pensacola, Fla.

Cornerstone Board Chairman John Moore said the organization is fortunate to add Lee to its leadership team.

“His proven ability to work collaboratively to provide exceptional care while sustaining and expanding programs will benefit the organization as we move into a challenging time for health care providers,” Moore said. “In the coming years, hospice programs will face daunting challenges — tighter regulations, changes in reimbursement, and increased competition will demand that Cornerstone enhance the quality of its service delivery, keep costs under control, and find creative new ways to ensure that our caring mission remains intact.”

Through the organization, Lee said he intends to build on the strong foundation and reputation Cornerstone Hospice began in 1984 of providing home-based, compassionate care for people facing life-limiting illnesses and their families.

“While challenges certainly exist, great opportunities lie ahead for Cornerstone,” he said. “More people request hospice care each year, and Cornerstone’s reputation for excellence positions us as the provider of choice for hospice and palliative care across Central Florida. That’s a powerful combination for growth in the years ahead.”

Cornerstone currently serves more than 800 patients on a daily basis.

Information on the nonprofit organization can be found at www.cshospice.org.