(GRAND RAPIDS, MI) – Holland Home is pleased to announce that Carolyn Flietstra, RN, BSN, (bottom) Executive Vice President, Home, and Community Based Services, has been inducted into the Michigan Homecare and Hospice Association (MHHA) Hall of Fame. Flietstra joins a select group of past Hall of Fame inductees who through their significant career achievements, advance the home care and hospice profession. This recognition comes as Flietstra has announced her retirement this year, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional leadership in the home health care profession.
Flietstra is known for her inspirational leadership, using her knowledge, wisdom, and experience to elevate the work of others in the home care and hospice profession. With more than 35 years of clinical, management, and leadership experience in physician practice, home health, and hospice care, Flietstra is an expert in leading change and process improvement.
During her tenure at Holland Home, she oversaw the successful mergers of three West Michigan home health agencies, including Atrio Home Care, Faith Hospice, and Reliance Community Care Partners. Under her leadership, each of these organizations experienced significant growth and exceeded quality standards, serving as examples of exceptional care, while establishing standards that have garnered the attention of statewide and national leaders.
“Home health and hospice services are a critical part of the healthcare continuum, proven especially over the pandemic,” said Flietstra. “It’s been a privilege to work in this industry and support the delivery of healthcare services at home.”
The Hall of Fame was inaugurated to honor those individuals who have excelled in the home care and hospice profession, those who bring honor and recognition to the MHHA, and those who inspire and mentor individuals and students to consider or continue their careers in-home care and hospice. The award was presented virtually at the MHHA’s Virtual Annual Conference on May 13.
“Carolyn Flietstra is a leader of leaders. Her leadership style is to mentor and focus credit to build up others ahead of personal credit to herself,” noted Barry Cargill, President & CEO of the Michigan Homecare & Hospice Association. “We could not be more excited to turn her leadership style around by presenting her the 2021 Hall of Fame Award. It recognizes her for significant career achievements to advance and improve the professionalism of the home care and hospice industry. She truly earned this award for a career built with integrity and respect from her peers.”
Flietstra joined Holland Home in 1999, where she has held a variety of leadership positions for the organization and its affiliates. Since 2012, she has served as Executive Vice President of Home and Community Based Services for Holland Home, which oversees affiliate organizations Atrio Home Care, Faith Hospice, Reliance Community Care Partners, and Trillium Institute. Prior to her roles at Holland Home, Flietstra worked in the Mercy Health System.
In addition to her extensive management experience, Flietstra has served on several national and statewide boards, including the National Association for Home Care and Hospice and the Home Health Financial Management Association. She is a frequent speaker on home health and hospice topics. She received her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of Detroit Mercy and is also a graduate of the Butterworth School of Nursing.
About Holland Home
Founded in 1892, Holland Home of Grand Rapids is among the largest nonprofit providers of senior services in Michigan and one of the largest Life Plan Communities in the nation (source: LeadingAge-Ziegler 200). Holland Home offers a full continuum of care, from Independent Living to Assisted Living services and Memory Care to Skilled Nursing services. Under the Holland Home brand are two residential campuses: Breton Woods and Raybrook. Community services include Atrio Home Care, Faith Hospice and its Trillium Woods hospice inpatient facility, Reliance Community Care Partners, Care Resources, and the Trillium Institute. Holland Home employs over 1,400 people and serves more than 4,000 daily. Holland Home’s mission is to serve with love and compassion, commit to excellence, and follow Christ’s teachings and examples in all that we do. For more information about Holland Home, please visit hollandhome.org.
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