Enhabit Home Health & Hospice Initiates CEO Succession Plan as Barb Jacobsmeyer Plans Departure in 2026
DALLAS a leading provider of home health and hospice services in the United States, announced today that President and Chief Executive Officer Barb Jacobsmeyer will step down from her position in July 2026 or sooner if a successor is appointed before that date. The company has launched a formal leadership transition process, in collaboration with Jacobsmeyer, to ensure continuity and stability during the changeover.
Jacobsmeyer, who has served as Enhabit’s inaugural CEO since its spin-off from Encompass Health in 2022, will also relinquish her position on the board of directors as part of her departure. The company’s board has retained global executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates to conduct a comprehensive search for a new chief executive. The search process will include both internal and external candidates, and will focus on identifying a leader capable of guiding Enhabit through its next phase of strategic and operational growth.
CEO Reflects on Her Tenure and Company Achievements
In a statement accompanying the announcement, Jacobsmeyer expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the company and reflected on the progress Enhabit has made under her leadership.
“I am honored to have served as the first CEO of Enhabit and to have been part of the steady progress we have made together over the past several years,” Jacobsmeyer said. “The leadership team and our entire workforce is second-to-none, and I have been inspired by our team’s commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care for our patients.”
Jacobsmeyer noted that her decision to step down was made with the future of the company in mind, emphasizing that Enhabit is on strong footing and well-prepared to seize new opportunities in the evolving healthcare landscape.
“I am confident in Enhabit’s strategy and believe we are well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities ahead and create shareholder value,” she said.
During Jacobsmeyer’s tenure, Enhabit has focused on navigating a dynamic and often challenging post-acute care environment marked by regulatory changes, staffing pressures, and reimbursement headwinds. Under her leadership, the company has executed several operational and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes, expanding access to care, and driving long-term value creation for patients, employees, and shareholders alike.
Board Praises CEO’s Steadfast Leadership
Jeffrey Bolton, Chairman of the Enhabit Board of Directors, thanked Jacobsmeyer for her service and underscored the board’s appreciation for her commitment to the organization.
“On behalf of the board, I am sincerely grateful for Barb’s exceptional leadership, partnership and dedication to the company and the patients we serve,” Bolton said. “Barb has helped to stabilize the business during her tenure and enabled the company to build on our momentum. As we seek the right successor to drive our next phase of growth, we are committed to a smooth transition and remain focused on executing our mission.”
The board’s decision to begin the CEO transition process more than a year ahead of the anticipated departure date reflects its intention to approach the succession in a measured and thoughtful manner. By engaging Russell Reynolds Associates, the board aims to ensure that the incoming CEO will bring the right blend of industry expertise, strategic vision, and operational rigor to lead Enhabit into its next chapter.
Strategic Context for the Transition
The leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for Enhabit. Since becoming an independent, publicly traded company in July 2022, Enhabit has been working to establish itself as a standalone enterprise and carve out a distinct identity in the highly competitive home health and hospice sector.
Jacobsmeyer’s appointment as the company’s first CEO was seen as a stabilizing force during the spin-off and early operational phase. Her prior experience at Encompass Health, including serving as CEO of its home health and hospice segment, positioned her to guide Enhabit through the complexities of the transition and build a foundation for sustainable growth.
In recent quarters, the company has focused on improving clinical staffing, enhancing productivity across its home health segment, and navigating ongoing Medicare reimbursement changes. Meanwhile, its hospice division has sought to expand its referral base, enhance patient and family satisfaction, and align with value-based care delivery models.
With these strategic pillars in place, the board believes the time is right to identify the next leader who can accelerate performance and expand Enhabit’s footprint in both the home health and hospice markets.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Enhabit?
The incoming CEO will be tasked with driving operational efficiency, enhancing payer relationships, and continuing the company’s digital transformation. Industry observers anticipate that Enhabit will also explore further growth opportunities, whether through de novo site openings, selective acquisitions, or participation in alternative payment models that reward high-quality, in-home care delivery.
In addition, workforce engagement and retention will remain a top priority. Home health and hospice providers nationwide continue to grapple with nurse and therapist shortages. A forward-thinking CEO will be expected to implement innovative recruitment and retention strategies to ensure Enhabit can maintain its strong clinical reputation and meet growing patient demand.
Enhabit’s board has reiterated its focus on long-term shareholder value creation, patient outcomes, and operational discipline as it enters this next stage. The search process for the next CEO is already underway and will be guided by principles of transparency, inclusiveness, and alignment with the company’s strategic vision.
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Released Separately
In conjunction with today’s leadership announcement, Enhabit also released its financial results for the second quarter of 2025 in a separate press release. The company’s earnings call, which is scheduled for later today, will likely include commentary from Jacobsmeyer and other executives about the transition process and the company’s ongoing performance trajectory.
While full financial details are provided in the earnings release, key themes are expected to include continued momentum in home health admissions, productivity improvements, and commentary on reimbursement trends. Investors and analysts will also be looking for insights into how Enhabit plans to balance investment in growth with operational efficiency during the CEO transition period.
Industry Reactions and Stakeholder Sentiment
Enhabit’s announcement is expected to draw attention from analysts and stakeholders across the post-acute care sector. Jacobsmeyer’s departure comes at a time of broader leadership shifts within the healthcare services industry, particularly as companies adapt to regulatory shifts, digital transformation, and changing patient preferences.
Analysts have largely credited Jacobsmeyer with maintaining organizational stability during the company’s post-spin evolution, and some have speculated that her successor may come from either within the post-acute care space or from adjacent sectors such as managed care or population health management.
Investors, meanwhile, are expected to watch closely for updates on the CEO search timeline, succession planning, and any adjustments to the company’s strategic roadmap.
