Elara Caring Adds Dr. Kevin Henning as Chief Medical Officer

Elara Caring, the full-scale, multi-state home healthcare provider of clinical and personalized services across the patient continuum, has added Dr. Kevin Henning as the organization’s Chief Medical Officer. He joins at a transformational moment for Elara as the provider bolsters efforts to expand access to high-quality, compassionate care to patients and clients wherever they call home, and further differentiates itself as a leader in value-based home healthcare.

“Dr. Henning joins Elara at an incredibly exciting time,” said Ananth Mohan, Chief Operating Officer of Elara Caring. “We are embarking on a momentous effort to align the historically conflicting interests of patients and payers and are thrilled to add such a seasoned, experienced medical leader with a focus on evidenced-based care to our expanding team.”

Dr. Henning brings to Elara Caring extensive healthcare leadership experience and a strong background in post-acute and long-term care medicine. He joins the organization from TeamHealth and Continuum Hospice, where he served as Medical Director. He previously served in such roles as: Chief Medical Officer, US Post Acute Care in Tacoma, WA; Medical Director, Washington and Oregon for Optum CarePlus; Chief Medical Director, Amedisys, and National Medical Director for Gentiva Health Services, Hospice division.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Henning served in the US Army as a Brigade Surgeon in the 3rd Brigade, 7th Infantry Division. He spent several years at Fort Benning, where he was a staff physician in the Family Medicine Department of Martin Army Community Hospital and later a Clinic Director and faculty member in the Family Practice Residency Program. He also worked as Assistant Chief, Emergency Medicine Department of the 46th Combat Support Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. During his tenure in the US Army, Dr. Henning received a Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, an Army Commendation Medal and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

“I have been deeply impressed by Elara’s commitment to addressing the holistic needs of patients and clients, as well as the quality of their leadership team and their culture of caring, which is evident in every facet of the company,” said Dr. Henning. “I am looking forward to contributing to this vital organization that lives and promotes values I share, including service, integrity and innovation.”

Dr. Henning holds certifications from the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and is an AMDA-certified Medical Director. He has completed advanced training in palliative care education from the Harvard Center for Palliative Care and in communication skills for seriously ill patients from VITALtalk.

Over the last several years, Elara has reached and exceeded significant growth milestones amidst industry-wide challenges. Between late 2021 and late 2022, episodic admissions rose 13% at Elara while declining for the industry over the same time period. The provider also increased the number of patients it served by 5% compared to home health’s decline. All the while, it delivered measurable value to payers and partner providers through value-based agreements that place the onus on Elara to be accountable for outcomes, and invested in innovative technologies that further empower caregivers to focus on patients’ and clients’ full continuum of needs.