Helios Care CEO Announces Departure Effective April 21

ONEONTA—Chief Executive Officer and President Dan Ayres has announced his resignation from Helios Care to join a larger hospice organization on the East Coast, effective April 21. Ayres informed the Board of Directors of his upcoming move on January 21. This difficult decision to leave Helios Care was decided upon by Ayres and his family as the next step in his long career in healthcare systems management, officials said.

According to a media release, Ayres came to Helios Care in 2016 and helped guide the organization through tremendous growth and change. He was instrumental in instituting new initiatives, including the name change from Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care Inc. to Helios Care.

“This thoughtful decision opened up dialogues with area residents about what the organization can do for them or their loved ones, fostering earlier engagement and improving patient outcomes—the goal for everyone,” the release reads.

Ayres said this has been the hardest decision he has ever had to make.

“Working in this community to improve the lives of our residents during the last journey of their lives has been a privilege, and I know the team will continue to advance the mission of compassionate care with choices and, above all, dignity, for each patient served,” Ayres said.

“It is with deep regret and sincere appreciation that the Board of Helios Care accepts the resignation of Dan Ayres, president and CEO. For eight years, Dan has led the organization with vision, quality enrichment, community and individual relationship development, and—simply stated—the ability to get things done. All with a steady hand in a volatile industry,” praised Helios Care Board Chair Jeff Woeppel.

“Perhaps his most notable achievement is the manner in which the organization successfully continued to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Woeppel continued. “His presence, positivism and resourcefulness will be missed.”

A transition plan is underway for Helios Care, to ensure a seamless handover of responsibilities, with patient care always at front of mind.

“Helios Care remains steadfast in its mission of making life easier for patients and families who are facing a serious illness, and is committed to upholding these values for their patients and the community,” officials said.