Hospice of the Bluegrass announce two key staff appointments

Hospice of the Bluegrass announced that Monica Couch has been named Associate Vice President of Eastern Kentucky Operations. Hospice provides service to patients and families in 16 southeastern Kentucky counties.

Couch has been with Hospice of the Bluegrass for 15 years. She has served as a nurse, nurse supervisor, and has been the Hazard Site Director since 2003. Couch was instrumental in the building of the Greg & Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center, which opened in 2011. Under Couch’s leadership, Hazard has become Hospice’s second largest clinical site serving more than 700 patients in 2012.

“Monica is a strong clinician as well as a strong clinical problem solver,” said Deede Byrne, Hospice’s Chief Clinical Officer. “She has mentored many staff in Hazard and has established herself as a key influencer and leader in the Eastern Kentucky healthcare market. Monica has very high expectations for consistent, high quality hospice care and will bring an enormous about of knowledge to our leadership team.”

“I’m excited about this new opportunity,” said Couch. “I credit my success to the outstanding team of professionals I work with in the Hazard office of Hospice of the Bluegrass.”

Paul Sluss has been named Site Director for the Hazard office. Sluss has been with Hospice since 2005. He served as a Chaplain for the Hazard service area and in 2008 he was promoted to Team Leader. “Paul has been a key member of the management team,” said Monica Couch. “He has proven himself to be an exceptional leader and is very dedicated to the mission of Hospice of the Bluegrass.”