Compassionate Care Home Health Services, Inc., a family-owned and operated home health care agency headquartered in West Branch, Michigan, has been acquired by the founding Wilk’s family’s second generation and two key non-family executives.
Established by husband-and-wife team Joseph R. and Cathy C. Wilk in 1998, Compassionate Care’s new owners are Laura A. Alexander, RN, of Sanford; Edward E. Ferns of Sterling; and Jody L. Wilk, of Omer.
Jody Wilk is the daughter of Joseph and Cathy. She started with the company in 2003 as a weekend supervisor, became Director of Operations in 2011 and Chief Operating Officer in 2019.
Laura Alexander and Edward Ferns are non-family key executives. Alexander started with CCHHS as a regional administrator in 2003, became Director of Nursing in 2005 and Chief Executive Officer in 2019.
Ferns has been with CCHHS since 2002 as Director of Finance and was named Chief Financial Officer in 2019.
“We recognize that some things necessarily change as time marches on,” said Alexander. “For us this has been a recent change in ownership.
“Some things should never change, though,” she continued. “Our commitment to providing high quality, person-centered care for every client has not changed at all. We sincerely care about every client, and we honor our competent and compassionate caregivers. They are the heroes that make a positive difference in lives across Michigan every day.
“We are very excited to continue building upon this legacy of quality care as we move forward,” she added.
Compassionate Care Home Health Services, Inc., serves all of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula from Genesee County north, with four regional offices in Saginaw, Alpena and Traverse City as well as West Branch.
With 250 employees including nurses, certified nursing assistants, and home health aides, the agency provides a full range of in-home medical and non-medical care services, from in-home and private-duty nursing to companionship and personal care, respite and homemaking services.
“Joe and I are proud to introduce Laura Alexander, Eddie Ferns and Jody Wilk as the official new owners of Compassionate Care,” said Cathy Wilk.
“We use the word ‘official’ in a legal sense only, as in reality, along with Jennifer Wilk, who works with the Human Resources Department, and Network Administrator Chris Begres, they have had the responsibility for Compassionate Care for several years.
“The company and our clients are all in good, capable and compassionate hands,” she continued. “We proudly assume the title of ‘founders’ and officially transfer ownership to very capable and proven new owners. We thank all of our employees and clients, past and present, for walking our path next to us.”
The impetus for the company’s founding was Cathy Wilk’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 1994, which prompted husband Joe to begin researching and developing a better way to provide in-home health care services. Compassionate Care HHS initially operated out of Joe and Cathy’s home, quickly moving to their first office location in Standish, MI and hiring of a professional office manager in 1999.
In their retirement, Joe and Cathy Wilk will split their time between Michigan and Florida. They look forward to spending more time boating, fishing, traveling and visiting family and friends.