Nashville-based HMP Senior Solutions has named Shawn O’Conner to the position of president and CEO. He will be replacing Scott Phillips, who will be transitioning into the newly created role of chairman of the company. 

HMP Senior Solutions manages a portfolio of 39 properties, with 28 assisted living, 10 skilled nursing and one independent living community located across 10 states.

“Shawn’s strong operational focus, strategic acumen, and experience driving both growth and profitability are exactly what we need for [HMP Senior Solutions’] next chapter,” Phillips said in a press release. “With a deep and talented leadership bench in place, I am confident that he will take the company forward and create incredible value in the years ahead.”

Prior to joining HMP Senior Solutions, O’Conner served as the senior vice president of operations for Signature Healthcare, where he was responsible for the overall management and operations of 50 skilled nursing and assisted living communities. Since April 2022, O’Conner has been executive vice president and chief development officer at HMP.

O’Conner told Skilled Nursing News that he will start in his new role by working closely with both senior and local leadership, and overviewing each facility’s strategic plan and touring all HMP properties are at the top of his list.

Although staffing shortages, Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement challenges, and regulatory changes will require attention, O’Conner said his main priority in his first six months will be identifying and nurturing young talent.

“I’m most excited about looking at this from an opportunistic lens,” he said. “Asking, ‘How can we come out of COVID, and with all of the headwinds we are facing, how can we create a space in health care that young people are excited to work in again?”