Kay Cox, president/CEO of the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare), has left her post effective immediately, AAHomecare said in a news release sent out Feb. 6, 2006.

Cox became AAHomecare’s president in June 2003, and her departure was described by AAHomecare as a “joint decision” between Cox and the organization’s board of directors. AAHomecare Chairman Tom Ryan thanked Cox “for all her efforts in furthering the interests of our members.” Ryan is also CEO of Homecare Concepts in Farmingdale, N.Y.

Before joining AAHomecare, Cox was VP of the Washington office and Political Action Committee of Beverly Enterprises, which operates nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the country. Cox had also been president/CEO of a healthcare consulting group and had managed and coordinated federal contracts with government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, according to an AAHomecare news release initially announcing Cox’s appointment.

AAHomecare Chief Operating Officer Sue Mairena will handle day-to-day activities, in collaboration with the executive committee of the board. In a letter to AAHomecare members, Ryan said, “We have formed a search committee and will move diligently to fill this position.”