September 6, 2007

Hospice of the Valley names Jim Ptak chief financial officer

Hospice of the Valley, a leader in advancing end-of-life care and a pioneer in palliative, hospice and community grief education in Santa Clara County, named Jim Ptak chief financial officer of the organization’s financial operations. Ptak brings a wealth of health care finance expertise, along with his solid and decisive leadership style to the hospice executive management team.

Ptak’s financial experience spans more than 30 years assisting a variety of diversified companies in achieving their strategic objectives that included successfully managing the finances for entities involved in commercial real estate development, manufacturing, distribution and health care. For the past 17 years, Ptak has specialized in the field of health care including, hospital, diagnostic laboratory, nursing home, home health and hospice operations.

Previous to joining Hospice of the Valley, Ptak served as vice president of finance with the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care in Buffalo, N.Y., a nonprofit hospice. During Ptak’s 12-year tenure, the organization more than tripled the size of its operations. This growth included the construction of a specialized health care campus, the establishment of a skilled nursing facility and the acquisition of a national education program. Ptak also participated with the CFO Forum of the National Hospice Workgroup, developing benchmarks and best practices standards for hospice providers.

Ptak holds a degree in accounting from Niagara University and earned his license as a certified public accountant in New York state.

About Hospice of the Valley
Hospice of the Valley (HOV), the first community-based hospice in Santa Clara County, has provided compassionate end-of-life care and grief support to over 23,000 people since 1979. Affirming life and embracing comfort, dignity and quality of life, HOV provides patients and families an interdisciplinary team approach to palliative end-of-life care, which includes medical, social, psychological, spiritual, volunteer, and grief support. HOV’s Community Grief Support Center provides individual and group grief support and is available to anyone experiencing a loss. A Children's Grief Support program specializes in age-appropriate counseling for children and teenagers from ages 4 through 18. Transitions, a volunteer-based community service program designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families facing life-limiting illness, provides clients with emotional support, education, and practical assistance, is sponsored by Hospice of the Valley and funded by community grants and donations. HOV is a member of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Call Hospice of the Valley at (408) 559-5600 and, for Transitions, call (408) 559-5610 or visit www.hospicevalley.org.