Care Synergy is pleased to welcome Vennita Jenkins as PACE President. Vennita brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in senior services, healthcare operations, affordable housing, and nonprofit management. Throughout her career, she has built high-performing teams, strengthened community partnerships, and championed innovative, participant-centered care for older adults. As PACE President, Vennita will oversee strategic growth, operational excellence, participant experience, and continued innovation in care delivery for older adults across Care Synergy’s PACE programs.
Big news from Care Synergy! Our Nursing Assistant Training Program is setting students up for success in a big way. With comprehensive training that includes classroom learning, hands-on simulation, and real clinical experience, our students are more than prepared—they’re excelling. The results speak for themselves: • 100% pass rate on the written CNA exam (compared to the national average of 70–80%) • 82% first-time pass rate on the skills exam (well above the national average of 63–76%) We’re proud to help future CNAs build the skills, confidence, and compassion needed to provide exceptional care to patients and families.
Please join us in welcoming Jason Upright as the new Director of Human Resources for Care Synergy! Jason brings extensive experience in healthcare human resources leadership, employee relations, and organizational development. Most recently, he served as Director of Human Resources at Optimal Home Health and Hospice, where he led initiatives that strengthened workplace culture, improved onboarding processes, and reduced employee turnover. His leadership style emphasizes strong communication, accountability, and supporting teams so they can perform at their best. Jason is also a veteran of the United States Navy, reflecting his dedication to service and mission-driven work—values that align closely with the Care Synergy family of organizations. We’re excited to welcome Jason and look forward to the leadership and expertise he brings to our teams.
Care Synergy is pleased to welcome Jason Cormier as our new Director of Facilities and Capital Projects. Jason brings extensive experience in facilities management and construction project management, with a proven track record of successfully overseeing multi-million-dollar projects, leading diverse teams, and delivering high-quality services. His expertise in vendor and procurement management, business continuity planning, and sustainability reporting reflects a strong commitment to accountability, operational excellence, and thoughtful stewardship of resources. We are excited to have Jason on the team and look forward to the impact his leadership will have as we continue supporting our mission and the communities we serve. Please join us in welcoming Jason to Care Synergy.
Care Synergy is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristin Ann Keefe, MD, as our new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Keefe is a nationally respected leader in hospice and palliative medicine, with extensive experience serving as CMO and Medical Director for hospice organizations across the country. In this role, she will provide executive and clinical leadership, support physician development, and help advance Care Synergy’s mission of compassionate, high-quality care. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Keefe to Care Synergy,” said President & CEO Tim Bowen. “Her expertise and values-driven leadership will be an incredible asset to our organization.” Please join us in welcoming Dr. Keefe to the Care Synergy team.
We’re excited to welcome Julienne (Julie) Bemski, DO as the new Medical Director of The Denver Hospice, starting January 20, 2026. “Julie brings both clinical excellence and a deeply human approach to care,” said Ben Marcantonio, President of The Denver Hospice. “She understands that hospice care is about dignity, compassion, and being present when it matters most.” “I’m honored to join an organization so deeply committed to supporting patients and families,” Dr. Bemski shared. “Providing comfort and compassionate care during serious illness is a responsibility I hold close to my heart.” Outside of work, Julie enjoys hiking Colorado’s trails with her father and dog and spending time with her husband and young son. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Bemski to The Denver Hospice!
The spirit of giving was on full display this holiday season thanks to the generosity of employees from Care Synergy, The Denver Hospice, and Colorado Visiting Nurse Association. Through employee-led efforts, teams organized a toy drive, a clothing drive, a blood drive, and delivered all the fixings for a holiday meal to families and patients in need. Giving back is at the heart of who we are, and this season made that clear.
Care Synergy recently hosted its inaugural Sales Skills Fair, which brought great conversation, new skills, and professional development to all that attended.
We are excited to announce that Ben Marcantonio has been named the new President of The Denver Hospice and Colorado Visiting Nurse Association (CVNA). Ben brings more than 40 years of leadership experience in healthcare, education, and social services. His extensive background includes senior leadership with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and serving as President & CEO of Hospice of the Chesapeake in Maryland. Most recently, he was Chief Integration Officer for the National Alliance for Care at Home, where he helped unify two national associations into one organization. “Ben’s decades of experience and commitment to patients and families make him an ideal leader to guide The Denver Hospice and CVNA into the future,” said Tim Bowen, President & CEO of Care Synergy. Please join us in welcoming Ben as he continues the important mission of ensuring patients and families across our community receive the highest quality, compassionate care.
Care Synergy announced today that Denise Black-Andersen has joined the organization as its new Medical Practice Administrator. In this role, Black-Andersen will oversee operational management, quality, and compliance for hospice, palliative care, and PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) services, ensuring efficient care delivery across interdisciplinary teams. Black-Andersen brings extensive healthcare leadership experience, including directing nine cancer centers and more than 230 staff for Intermountain Health’s Peaks Region. She has a strong record of improving patient access, streamlining operations, driving financial growth, and leading high-performing teams. Previously, she revitalized hospice and palliative care programs at Lutheran Medical Center, doubling census and enhancing patient satisfaction. “Denise’s leadership and experience in complex healthcare operations will be invaluable as we continue to advance Care Synergy’s programs and support our staff and patients,” said Tim Bowen, President and CEO. Black-Andersen holds a Bachelor of Science and an Associate of Applied Science in Healthcare Administration from Pima Medical Institute. She has completed professional certifications in respiratory therapy and healthcare leadership programs, underscoring her commitment to operational excellence and high-quality patient care.
