ANDREA HALE

RAYLAND — After 28 years of service to Valley Hospice, Cynthia Bougher has announced plans to retire from her role as chief executive officer in April.

Andrea Hale, who currently serves as the organization’s chief operating officer, has been unanimously selected as her successor by the its board of trustees.

Bougher began her tenure at Valley Hospice as a patient care volunteer in 1994, and was hired as an admission/on-call nurse a year later. She served the organization in various roles, including chief operating officer, prior to becoming CEO in 2008. Bougher, a certified hospice and palliative care administrator, has led Valley Hospice in its commitment to providing the highest quality end-of-life care for patients throughout the Ohio Valley for almost three decades. Under her leadership, the organization has grown and expanded services to meet the needs of the community, including most recently, caring connections palliative care, the area’s only in-home palliative care program.

Hale brings 19 years of experience in hospice leadership and brand development. She began her tenure at Valley Hospice in 2004 as a nurse liaison and served in various roles, including chief clinical officer before becoming COO in 2017. She is a graduate of the Ohio Valley School of Nursing and serves as the president of the Trinity School of Nursing Alumni Association. Hale holds a bachelor of leadership administration and a master of business administration from West Liberty University.

Hale has been instrumental in positioning Valley Hospice as a leader for end-of-life care and education. She led the creation and implementation of several programs, including the Hero’s Salute Veterans Program, a program that provides specialized end-of-life care and support to patients who have served in the military and their families. She also was instrumental in the development of caring connections palliative care.

She has an extensive clinical background and is committed to making sure each patient and family has the best possible experience.

“Our organization has benefited enormously from the strong, insightful leadership that Cynthia has provided, and we wish her a long and fruitful retirement,” said Valley Hospice Board President Kevin Britt. “Further, we are extremely excited to welcome Andrea and her vast experience and energetic leadership.”