Well Care Health has announced a change in leadership after the in-home care agency’s CEO died Sept. 15. The company also announced it plans to expand in the future.
 
Zac Long has transitioned into the role of CEO, and Wanda Coley has taken on the role of president while retaining her COO title, according to a news release from the company Tuesday.
 
The news follows the death of Well Care CEO Wayne Long last month at the age of 60. Wayne Long co-founded Well Care Health in 1987, and was also the CEO of Farmin' Brands, which he founded in 2011. Farmin' Brand officials were not immediately available for comment on leadership Tuesday afternoon.

Along with the change in leadership, Well Care officials said the agency plans to grow within their current North Carolina markets and possibly outside the state.

The company is operating now under the parent company name Well Care Health since Aug. 11 and has under its umbrella the agency's integrated post-acute care services, including the entities Well Care Home Health and Well Care Home Care, company spokeswoman Jennifer Cascio said Tuesday.
 
"As Well Care Health continues to grow, we are working to expand service lines throughout North Carolina and potentially across state lines in the future,” Cascio said.

Zac Long, son of the former CEO, had previously served as Well Care Health’s vice president of growth and strategy since rejoining the organization full time in late 2016.
 
“Stepping into the CEO role is a humbling opportunity for me to continue Wayne’s legacy and vision of delivering exceptional patient care, outcomes and experience. We will continue our focus on innovation and high standards to better serve our patients’ needs," Zac Long said in an email.
 
"We have a tremendous team in place at Well Care and are excited to push forward with our growth plans. As we proceed forward, we remain focused on preserving our family-oriented culture and being a great company for which our people are proud to work,” he added.
 
Well Care currently has three regional home health offices in Raleigh, Wilmington and Advance, along with home care offices in Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Supply and Whiteville. The company services 42 counties in the state and employs more than 800 people; 590 of those are Wilmington-area employees.
 
“We are confident that these changes will achieve our objectives,” Zac Long said in the release.
 
He worked with Well Care in the early 2000s, working alongside his father, and held various part-time roles.
 
Zac Long’s background and experience extends across the health care industry, officials said. He led a dental practice in Atlanta as its COO. As part of PwC’s Healthcare Consulting Group, he drove lasting results for a variety of clients that included pharmaceuticals, insurance and health systems, according to the release. 
 
"I'm pleased to work closely with Zac as CEO of Well Care Health," Coley said in the release. "I've known Zac for a long time and have full confidence we will complement each other to support the organization’s strategic and operational initiatives.” 
 
Coley (right) previously served as COO and holds the new title of president and COO. She has directed Well Care’s daily operations for the past seven years in that role. Prior to becoming COO, she held the position of controller, overseeing the organization's financial performance. 
 
“She has been an integral part of Well Care’s growth and implementation of cutting-edge technology to aid in the delivery of quality patient care,” Well Care officials said in the release. 
 
Coley has more than 20 years of finance accounting and technology experience in health care. She serves on multiple boards and participates in speaking engagements as an industry expert.
 
Her role comes with increased responsibilities systemwide that will extend across home health, home care and new service lines in the future.
 
Coley will continue to oversee Well Care’s daily operations, growth, profitability and the execution of Well Care’s vision.
 
“We are fortunate to have an exceptional leadership team and outstanding employees to continue Wayne's legacy in achieving the highest level of excellence in every aspect of the organization. Our priorities remain focused on patients, employees and partners throughout the care continuum, along with continued growth,” Coley added.

Correction: This story reflects a correction to Jennifer Cascio's name and to reflect the relationship of the agency's parent company name.