Enhabit, Inc., a prominent provider of home health and hospice services, has officially appointed Dale Clift as its new Chief Executive Officer. The leadership transition follows the recent completion of the company’s acquisition by the private equity firm Kinderhook Industries, which took the organization private earlier this year.
The appointment marks a significant shift for the Dallas-based company, which manages a substantial clinical footprint across the United States. Enhabit currently operates 251 home health locations and 117 hospice sites, serving patients across 35 states. The move comes approximately 10 months after the company’s former CEO, Barb Jacobsmeyer, publicly stated her intention to step down from the helm.
A Strategic Leadership Transition
Dale Clift joins Enhabit with a long-standing history in the home-based care sector. According to his professional history, Clift previously served as the CEO of Trilogy Home Healthcare for nearly a decade and held the roles of president and CEO at Nurse on Call for nearly 11 years. Both entities are recognized as Medicare-certified home health agencies. Notably, Nurse on Call was previously a portfolio investment of Kinderhook Industries, which exited that specific position in 2012.
In a statement regarding his new role, Clift expressed his commitment to the company’s mission. “We see an honor to serve as CEO of Enhabit at such an important time in the company’s journey,” Clift said. “This represents a great organization doing meaningful work, and I am proud to be part of its next chapter. Our people are the heart of Enhabit, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our talented team as we remain focused on delivering compassionate, high-quality care. I look forward to building on the company’s strong foundation and continuing to support our teams across the country.”
Kinderhook Industries’ Vision for Growth
The acquisition of Enhabit by Kinderhook Industries, which was first announced in February, represents a major consolidation in the home health market. By taking the company private, Kinderhook aims to leverage Clift’s operational expertise to scale the organization’s reach and clinical impact.
Chris Michalik, managing director at Kinderhook Industries, highlighted the importance of this leadership choice in the current healthcare landscape. “Dale is a proven leader with deep experience and a strong understanding of the home-based care landscape,” Michalik stated. “His track record of building and scaling high-performing organizations speaks for itself, and we are confident he is the right leader to guide Enhabit forward as the company builds on its strong foundation and continues expanding what’s possible for patient care in the home.”
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of Barb Jacobsmeyer
The transition concludes the tenure of Barb Jacobsmeyer, who led Enhabit for five years. Her leadership was defined by her previous experience as executive vice president of operations for Encompass Health, a background that informed her approach to managing Enhabit’s wide-reaching network of care providers. Reflecting on the transition, Jacobsmeyer noted the company’s readiness for its next phase under new ownership and leadership.
“I am proud of all that our team has accomplished,” Jacobsmeyer said. “With Kinderhook’s support and Dale’s leadership, Enhabit is well-positioned to continue growing its impact and serving even more patients who need and deserve our extraordinary care.”
What This Means for Home-Based Care
For patients and stakeholders in the home health and hospice sectors, the appointment of a seasoned executive like Clift underscores the ongoing focus on operational efficiency and high-quality clinical outcomes. As the healthcare industry continues to move toward home-based settings, the ability of large-scale providers to maintain service standards while integrating new leadership and ownership structures remains a critical metric for long-term success.
Enhabit’s operations remain focused on delivering specialized care in domestic settings, a sector that has seen significant investment from private equity firms looking to expand access to post-acute services. With the acquisition finalized and the executive team now set, the company is expected to continue its focus on its core service locations across the country.
As of mid-May 2026, the company is transitioning into this new chapter of private ownership. Further updates regarding Enhabit’s operational strategy and clinical initiatives are expected to be provided by the company through its official communication channels in the coming months.
We invite our readers to share their insights on the evolving landscape of home-based care in the comments section below.
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