Lower Cape Fear LifeCare has announced the promotion of two experienced leaders from within the organization, "reinforcing the nonprofit’s longstanding commitment to professional development, team growth, and internal leadership pathways," according to a release.
Jessica Beardsley has been promoted to chief human resources officer, and Doronda Stroud-Garm, a longtime quality leader within the organization, has been promoted to vice president of quality and compliance, the release stated.
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare provides hospice, palliative and memory care services to patients in southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina.
According to the release, promoting from within has long been part of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s leadership philosophy. The organization’s approach focuses on developing talent, supporting career advancement and recognizing the expertise of team members who understand the mission and the communities LifeCare serves, the release stated.
“Our strength as an organization comes from the people who carry our mission forward every day,” said president and CEO Karen Brubaker Miller in the release. “Both Jessica and Doronda represent the leadership, experience, and commitment to excellence that define our team.”
Beardsley brings more than 25 years of human resources leadership experience and joined Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in 2021. She previously served as vice president of human resources, where she worked closely with executive leadership to strengthen employee engagement, talent development and organizational culture, according to the release.
"During her tenure, Beardsley has helped restructure the HR team to operate more strategically, focusing on building relationships across departments and supporting leaders through periods of growth and change," the release stated. "Under her leadership, employee engagement at LifeCare reached 94%, reflecting a strong culture of teamwork and shared purpose."
Before joining LifeCare, Beardsley spent more than 15 years with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in a variety of human resources leadership roles, including employment manager, benefits manager and HR business partner, according to the release. She holds an MBA in human resources from Plymouth State University and a bachelor's degree in management and communication from Keene State College, as well as senior-level HR certifications from SHRM (Society of Human Resources Management).
Beardsley also completed the WILMA Leadership Institute and currently serves on the board of the Lower Cape Fear Human Resources Association.
A registered nurse since 1997, Stroud-Garm
(pictured below) has nearly three decades of healthcare experience and has served Lower Cape Fear LifeCare since
2013. During that time, she has advanced through several roles, including regulatory specialist auditor, quality and compliance coordinator, director of quality and compliance and now vice president, the release stated.
"Her leadership has played a critical role in maintaining high clinical standards and regulatory excellence across the organization," according to the release. "Stroud-Garm has been instrumental in supporting the quality initiatives that helped LifeCare achieve its Five-Star hospice rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, one of the highest recognitions in the field."
Before joining LifeCare, Stroud-Garm worked in several hospital settings, including Novant Health, where she held roles including registered nurse, charge nurse, quality reviewer and trauma registrar, the release stated.
"Her clinical background and regulatory compliance experience have strengthened LifeCare’s quality oversight, ensuring patients and families receive care that reflects the organization’s commitment to safety, accountability and compassion," according to the release.
