The strength of a team.
Synthase Officers
President/Chairman
Jaysen F. Roa, MHA, MBA
President & CEO
Jaysen Roa joined Avow as President & CEO in October, 2015. During his tenure, Mr. Roa has overseen the growth of Avow Hospice, Avow Palliative Care Services, Avow Foundation and the Avow Kids children’s grief and loss program. Under his direction, Avow programs, services, facilities and resources for patients, their families and the community at large have grown significantly, serving more children and adults than ever in the company’s 37-year-history.
Mr. Roa’s 20-plus years of not-for-profit hospice experience includes developing innovative patient-centered approaches to providing care, facilities and outreach in an ever-changing health landscape. His efforts include public policy advocacy both nationally and at the state level to advance hospice, palliative care and post-acute, home-centered care.
Mr. Roa serves on the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association Board of Directors as the chairman of the board. He is also the Florida hospice representative serving the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Council of States and a member of the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation.
Prior to joining Avow, Mr. Roa served as Executive Director at Good Shepherd Hospice based in Lakeland, Florida. He also held executive positions at HPH Hospice and began his hospice career at Hospice of Citrus County, all based in Florida.
Mr. Roa has completed numerous industry certifications in hospice and fundraising management. He holds a master’s in business administration and master’s in health administration from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from University of South Florida in Tampa.
Vice President/Vice Chair
Jackie Kendrick, CHPCA
Chief Executive Officer
Jackie Kendrick joined Treasure Coast Hospice as chief executive officer on July 1, 2019, to lead the organization’s comprehensive hospice care and grief support services in Martin and St. Lucie counties.
Kendrick previously was executive director of HPH Hospice in Pasco County. HPH is part of the Chapters Health System, which provides end-of-life care to residents in seven counties on the west coast of Florida.
She began her career at Legacy Hospice in Tyler, Texas, and then served as the executive director at Heart to Heart Hospice in Lufkin, Texas. Under her leadership, the startup organization developed into the largest hospice in the area. Kendrick holds a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Texas and is certified as a hospice and palliative care administrator.
Treasurer
Joseph Killian MA, BA, CHPCA, ACHE
CEO
Joe Killian is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. Joe is skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Disease Management, Palliative Care, Medicaid, and Physician Relations. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor’s of Science, Business Management with a Master’s in Business and Strategic Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University.
As CEO for Hospice of St. Francis Joe has led efforts in the development and implementation of standards of care resulting in increased quality and patient outcomes exceeding both state and federal benchmarks while simultaneously achieving year over year growth exceeding 5% increase in ADC. He successfully led the organization through CHAP reaccreditation and improved financial performance of hospice operation.
Started and developed Pathways to Health Care LLC., a non-hospice palliative care program, with over 400 patients receiving care in their homes in all of Brevard County.
Secretary
Pauline Taylor, RN, MHA
President
Pauline Taylor, RN, MHA, was selected as Haven’s president, effective March 2, 2020.
Pauline brings more than 20 years of hands-on experience as a hospice advocate and leader to her new role, with an extensive understanding of hospice operations, financial accountability, clinical operations, sales and marketing, business development, and community relations.
Pauline comes to Haven from AdventHealth Hospice of Central Florida (formerly Hospice of the Comforter), where she served as Assistant Vice President and Executive Director. She previously served for three-plus years as Chief Operating Officer of Hospice of St. Francis in Titusville, Florida.
Pauline holds certification as an Advanced Certified Hospice Executive (ACHE) from the National Board for Home Care and Hospice Certification (NBHHC), is a certified Assisted Living Administrator in the State of Florida and maintains her licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Florida. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) and is an active member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).
As Haven’s new leader, Pauline will be responsible for fulfillment of the 41-year-old hospice provider’s mission of honoring life by providing comfort, care and compassion to individuals and families Haven serves. Haven’s market area covers more than 13,000 square miles and 18 counties across North Central Florida.
“Mission fulfillment is at the core of everything a hospice does,” Pauline said. “I believe in treating every patient and family as if they are a neighbor, family or friend. Haven has built exactly that kind of reputation over the years across North Central Florida and I look forward to leading Haven’s wonderful staff and volunteers as we build upon our record of community service and exemplary, compassionate care.”
Pauline and her husband, Desmond, will be relocating to the Gainesville area with their two sons, ages 12 and 18.