Hospice of Western Reserve names CFO

Jeff Kovacs has been named chief financial officer for the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

He succeeds longtime CFO John Harvan, who retired earlier this year.

In his new financial leadership role, Kovacs leads the accounting and finance functions of the nonprofit agency, including financial reporting, budgeting, banking relationships and general business operations, according to a news release.

Prior to the appointment, Kovacs served as Hospice’s director of finance for four years, where he led the accounts payable, accounting, payroll and procurement operations teams, the release stated.

“Jeff’s long-term vision has produced ongoing operational efficiencies and ensured successful annual audits for Hospice of the Western Reserve,” President and CEO Bill Finn stated in the release. “As a health care industry finance and operations expert with more than 20 years of solid strategic planning skills, he is wellqualified to provide the financial leadership our organization needs to continue to thrive in a challenging healthcare environment.

“His financial leadership skills and deep technology industry knowledge will drive process improvements and build revenue to support our programs well into the future.”

Kovacs is the former director of finance and revenue cycle management for Akron General Hospital, where he oversaw financial and billing operations of a multispecialty physician group with more than 200 providers.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA in healthcare from Baldwin

Wallace College. Kovacs is a licensed certified public accountant and has served as treasurer and as a member of the board of directors for the American College of Healthcare Executives’ Northern Ohio Chapter, the release stated.

He is an active member of the Ohio Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Kovacs