meet the team
G. Scott Herman
Late Founder & CEO
Scott’s healthcare career began in 1984 as a paramedic and first responder, excelling in these roles for nearly a decade before transitioning to the home care field. Over the past 30 years, he has held nearly every operating and administrative position in home-based care, building a distinguished career leading some of the nation’s largest and most innovative healthcare organizations.
Scott’s clinical expertise includes serving as a Flight Nurse/Paramedic, Emergency Room Nurse, ICU Nurse, and Home Health and Hospice clinician. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Kansas Newman University and an Emergency Medical Intensive Care Technician (EMICT) certification from the University of Kansas.
Background
Launching amid the challenges of a global pandemic, New Day Healthcare has grown exponentially through both organic growth and multiple acquisitions. Today, we serve more than 150,000 patients annually through a team of over 10,000 dedicated professionals across multiple states.
Prior to founding New Day Healthcare, Scott held the role of
CEO at Elara Caring, overseeing operations across Home Health, Hospice, Personal Care, Private Pay, and Behavioral Health services. His leadership at Elara Caring further refined his vision for improving the continuum of care and the patient experience.
New Day Healthcare offers a wide range of services, including Home Health, Hospice, Community Care, Pediatrics, and Private Pay. By focusing on
People, Process, and Technology, New Day Healthcare is redefining the standard for continuum-based care and has earned recognition as a trailblazer in the home care industry.
Professional History
- National Home Health Care: CEO – Home Health, Personal Care, Behavioral Health
- Jordan Health Services: CEO – Home Health, Hospice, Personal Care
- Accellion Health: Founding Executive – Managed Services Company
- Harden Health Care Home Health/Hospice: President – Home Health, Hospice
- North Mississippi Home Care: Executive Director – Home Health, Hospice, Infusion
- Via Christi Home Care: President/CEO – Home Health, Hospice, DME, Infusion
Kathy Poland
Chief Executive Officer
Professional History
Kathy is an accomplished healthcare executive with more than 29 years of experience in human resources and operations, including more than 20 years of executive leadership in the healthcare industry. She specializes in scaling operations, organizational growth, business transformation, mergers and acquisitions, post-acquisition integration, and P&L management, with extensive experience leading both publicly traded and private equity-backed organizations.
Throughout her career, Kathy has held executive leadership positions including
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Value Officer, Senior Vice President of Operations, and
Vice President of Human Resources. She has successfully managed large-scale, multi-site and multi-state operations while leading capital raises, mergers and acquisitions, and post-acquisition integrations. Her strategic leadership has been instrumental in expanding organizations while maintaining operational excellence, financial performance, and a seamless continuum of post-acute care.
Kathy's unique combination of operational and human capital expertise enables her to build high-performing teams, strengthen organizational culture, and implement strategies that improve performance across all levels of an organization. She is recognized for aligning operational strategy with sustainable growth and long-term organizational success while fostering a people-centered approach to leadership and innovation.
Kathy earned a
Bachelor of Arts in Business from Amberton University and remains committed to advancing healthcare organizations through strategic leadership, operational excellence, and a focus on delivering exceptional outcomes.
Background
- Elara Caring (May 2018 – December 2019): Managed operations for 65,000 patients and 33,000 employees
- Jordan Health Services (April 2002 – May 2018): Oversaw operations for 35,000 patients and 20,000 employees
- Tetra Tech EMI (1993 – 2002): Environmental Consulting, managing 6,000 employees
Jeff Bonham
Chief Financial Officer
Professional History
Jeff Bonham brings decades of financial and operational leadership experience within the home care industry, having played a pivotal role in building and scaling organizations from startups to enterprises generating over $1 billion in annual revenue. A seasoned home care executive, Jeff has worked closely with G. Scott Herman and much of the New Day leadership team in various roles throughout his career.
Jeff is recognized for his ability to develop scalable finance departments, optimize operational performance, and manage investor and lender relationships at the highest level. His expertise has been instrumental in driving growth, successful company builds, and strategic divestitures, making him a valuable asset as New Day continues to expand its footprint in home-based care.
Most recently, Jeff led operations at Empath Health and previously served in several senior executive positions across prominent home healthcare providers. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Bradley University and an MBA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Background
- Empath Health (Most Recent) — Led operations, driving performance improvements and strategic growth initiatives
- Multiple Senior Executive Roles — Partnered closely with New Day leadership to scale home healthcare organizations exceeding $1B in annual revenue
- Education — Bachelor of Science, Bradley University | MBA, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Phil Melugin
Founder & CEO, Phoenix Home Care & Hospice Chief Value Officer, New Day Healthcare
Professional History
Phil Melugin is a respected healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience in home health and hospice, specializing in entrepreneurship, organizational growth, operational leadership, and post-acute care services. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to building patient-centered organizations that deliver exceptional care while fostering strong cultures centered on service, integrity, and compassion.
After beginning his career in vocational rehabilitation counseling, Phil transitioned into home care in 1993 with Cox Health Systems. In 1999, he founded Integra Health Care, Inc., successfully growing the organization over the next 12 years before selling the company to his partners. In 2011, he founded Phoenix Home Care & Hospice, leading its expansion across multiple service lines before the organization joined New Day Healthcare in 2021. Today, Phil continues to serve as CEO of Phoenix Home Care & Hospice while also serving as Chief Value Officer for New Day Healthcare.
Phil earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Friends University and a Master's degree in Counseling from Wichita State University. He remains actively involved in his church and local community, reflecting his commitment to servant leadership both professionally and personally.
Background
- Phoenix Home Care & Hospice: Founder & CEO (Founded in 2011)
- New Day Healthcare: Chief Value Officer
- Integra Health Care, Inc.: Founder (1999)
- Cox Health Systems: Began home care career in 1993
- Early Career: Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling
Lester E. Simmons
Founding Executive, Chief Administrative Officer & Chief People Officer
Professional History
Lester E. Simmons is a seasoned executive with more than 35 years of global leadership experience in human resources and administration. He specializes in employee relations, labor relations, organizational development, talent acquisition, compliance, compensation and benefits, contracts, and administrative services, with a proven track record of leading strategic initiatives across healthcare, manufacturing, and oil and gas industries.
Throughout his career, Lester has held executive leadership positions with Fortune 500 companies and leading healthcare organizations, providing strategic oversight for human resources and administrative functions across five continents. His experience spans home health, hospice, personal care, behavioral health, manufacturing, and energy, where he has successfully driven organizational growth, operational excellence, and people-focused strategies that support long-term business success.
Before joining New Day Healthcare, Lester served as Chief People Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at Elara Caring, following executive leadership roles at Jordan Health Services, Tronox Chemical, Kerr McGee Oil and Gas, Johnson Controls, SCCS Home Health and Hospice, and PepsiCo. His diverse leadership experience enables him to build high-performing cultures, strengthen organizations, and align people strategies with business objectives.
Lester also served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, earning the Bronze Star for Valor in recognition of his distinguished military service. He earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) from Wichita State University.
Background
- Elara Caring: Chief People Officer & Chief Administrative Officer
- Jordan Health Services: Chief People Officer
- Tronox Chemical: Vice President of Human Resources
- Kerr McGee Oil and Gas: Senior Human Resources Advisor
- Johnson Controls: Senior Human Resources Manager
- SCCS Home Health and Hospice: Director of Human Resources
- PepsiCo: Human Resources Manager
Dave Marchand
Chief Information Officer
Professional History
Dave is an established technology executive with nearly 40 years of experience in driving enterprise-wide
innovation, transformation, and process optimization across multiple industries globally. With the last 20
years focused exclusively on the healthcare industry, he has played a pivotal role in advancing
technological solutions that improve patient care, streamline operations, and enhance organizational
efficiency.
Dave holds a
BS in Electrical Engineering from the
University of Notre Dame, where he built a strong
foundation in technology and problem-solving, empowering him to lead complex projects and drive
innovation across multiple industries, with a particular impact in healthcare.
Background
- Elara Caring: Chief Information Officer, Home Health/Hospice/Personal Care/Behavioral Health
- Jordan Health Services: Chief Information Officer, Home Health/Hospice/Pediatrics/Personal Care
- Precision Genetics: CEO/President & Founder, CLIA-certified Pharmacogenetics Lab
- Accellion Health: Chief Information Officer, Post-acute Managed Services Company
- Dell Perot Systems: Healthcare Chief Technology/Innovation/Strategy Officer, Healthcare Services
- Perot Systems: General Manager/Senior Technologist, Advanced Technology Consulting
- Shell Oil: Senior Technologist, Oil & Gas Exploration and Production
- NASA/McDonnell Douglas: Senior Technologist, Defense & Space Advanced Technology Programs
- General Dynamics: Senior Technologist, Nuclear Submarine Advanced Technology Programs
Steph Giust, MSN, MEd, RN
Executive Vice President of Hospice
Professional History
Steph is a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience leading hospice organizations through strategic growth, clinical excellence, and operational success. She specializes in hospice clinical services, operations, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, performance improvement, and hospice de novo development, with a proven ability to build high-performing teams and deliver exceptional patient outcomes.
Throughout her career, Steph has held progressive leadership positions including Clinical Director, Administrator, Area Vice President, Vice President of Hospice, and Chief Performance Officer. She has successfully scaled hospice operations by balancing operational efficiency with clinical quality, ensuring sustainable growth while maintaining the highest standards of patient care.
Steph's clinical nursing experience spans the continuum of care, including pediatrics, home health, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), oncology, and hospice. As a hospice de novo specialist and consultant, she has partnered with organizations to plan, launch, and operationalize new hospice programs, creating strong clinical and operational infrastructures that support long-term success.
Steph earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Education (MEd) from the University of the Incarnate Word, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Phoenix. She is also a Registered Nurse (RN).
Background
- HPEMG: De Novo Consultant
- Transcend Hospice: Chief Performance Officer
- Cima Hospice (Jordan Health Services): Vice President of Hospice Services
- Curo Health Systems, Inc. (Kindred Hospice): Area Vice President
- Previous leadership roles include Clinical Director and Administrator
Leadership & Areas of Expertise
- Hospice Clinical Services
- Hospice Operations
- Hospice Growth & Scaling
- Hospice De Novo Development & Implementation
- Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement
- Regulatory Compliance
- Clinical Leadership & Team Development
- Patient Outcomes & Operational Excellence
Alex Melugin, MBA
President
Professional History
Alex is a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience in the home care industry, specializing in organizational growth, strategic leadership, and the development of comprehensive, patient-centered care continuums. Throughout his career, he has built high-performing teams, expanded service lines, and delivered sustainable organic growth by fostering innovation, improving performance, and executing long-term strategic initiatives.
Before joining New Day Healthcare, Alex served in a series of progressive leadership roles at Phoenix Home Care and Hospice, including Director of Operations, Executive Vice President, and President. During his tenure, he helped guide the organization's remarkable organic growth into a $215 million home care company with more than 4,500 employees. His leadership was instrumental in scaling the business, strengthening organizational performance, and enhancing the quality of care delivered to patients and families.
Alex's leadership philosophy is rooted in integrity, servant leadership, and his Christian faith. He is committed to empowering others, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, compassion, and equipping teams to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the patients and communities they serve.
Alex holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Friends University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Newman University.
Background
- Phoenix Home Care and Hospice / New Day Healthcare (2012–Present): President
- Phoenix Home Care and Hospice: Executive Vice President
- Phoenix Home Care and Hospice: Director of Operations
Leadership & Community Involvement
- 40 Under 40 recipient
- Wichita Business Journal Innovation Award
- Wichita Business Journal Executive of the Year
- Organizations under his leadership recognized as Best in Business and Best Places to Work
- Board of Directors: American Heart Association, Friends University, and Larksfield Healthcare
- Co-Chair: American Heart Association Heart Ball
- Corporate Recruitment Chair: ALS Society
- Ambassador: Wichita Open and KU Pediatrics
Susan Marberry, RN, CHC
Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer
Professional History
Susan Marberry is a seasoned healthcare executive and registered nurse with more than 35 years of clinical and healthcare leadership experience, including 25 years in executive leadership. She specializes in healthcare compliance, privacy, regulatory oversight, clinical record review, due diligence, and organizational compliance, bringing extensive expertise in ensuring regulatory excellence across home health and post-acute care organizations.
Susan began her nursing career in emergency medicine, critical care, and transport nursing, later advancing into leadership positions with direct oversight of clinical operations. She went on to found two successful healthcare organizations in Texas, including a travel nursing agency serving healthcare providers statewide and a home health agency specializing in high-acuity clinical care. Her entrepreneurial background, combined with more than a decade serving as a Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer, has provided her with a unique perspective on healthcare operations, regulatory compliance, and organizational risk management.
Throughout her executive career, Susan has led compliance and privacy programs for multi-state home health organizations while actively supporting due diligence initiatives and providing comprehensive oversight of healthcare regulatory and clinical record compliance. She holds a Certification in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) through the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) and the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA).
Background
- Multi-State Home Health Organization: Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer (10+ years)
- Elara Caring: Vice President of Behavioral Health (2018–2020)
- Jordan Health Services: Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer (2012–2018)
- Texas Traveling Nursing Agency: Founder, Owner & Operator (1996–2012)
- Central Texas Home Health Provider: Founder, Owner & Operator (2007–2012)
Justin Miller
Executive Vice President, Integration & Procurement
Professional History
Justin Miller is a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience in home health, hospice, and personal care. He specializes in continuum development, home care sales, sales leadership, business development, and organizational growth, with a proven ability to drive strategic initiatives that strengthen operations and expand access to care.
Justin began his career in the medical equipment industry, where he gained valuable hands-on patient care experience before transitioning into executive leadership within home-based care. Throughout his career, he has held progressive leadership roles focused on sales, business development, and continuum strategy, helping organizations achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Prior to joining New Day Healthcare, Justin served as Vice President of Continuum Development at Elara Caring, where he helped lead continuum strategy for a $1.2 billion organization operating across 16 states. He also served as Vice President of Sales for a $480 million home care organization operating across a five-state region, further demonstrating his expertise in strategic growth, sales leadership, and healthcare integration.
Background
- Elara Caring: Vice President of Continuum Development
- Jordan Health Services: Director of Sales / Synergy
- Harden Healthcare: Director of Business Development
- Via Christi Home Care: Sales Director
Anita Angstadt, RN
Senior Executive Vice President of Clinical Operations
Professional History
Anita Angstadt is a seasoned healthcare executive and registered nurse with more than 35 years of healthcare experience, including more than 25 years of leadership in home health. She specializes in clinical operations, quality patient care, operational performance, leadership development, and clinical workforce engagement, with a proven track record of improving patient outcomes while driving organizational success.
Throughout her career, Anita has successfully implemented clinical processes that enhance the quality of patient care, achieve profitability goals, support the professional development of leadership teams, and reduce clinical staff turnover. Her clinical expertise spans home health, hospice, day surgery pre-operative and post-anesthesia care (PACU), and operating room nursing, providing a well-rounded clinical foundation that informs her leadership approach.
As Senior Executive Vice President of Clinical Operations, Anita provides strategic oversight of clinical operations, leveraging her extensive experience to optimize care delivery, strengthen clinical teams, and promote operational excellence across the organization.
Background
- Phoenix Home Care and Hospice: Vice President of Operations
- Heartland Home Health and Hospice: Director of Nursing
- Wichita Clinic Day Surgery: Registered Nurse
- St. Francis Hospital: Registered Nurse
Charissa Pollock
Co-Founder & Senior Vice President of Project Management
With over 20 years of experience in aircraft project planning across the U.S. and Europe, Charissa has built a strong foundation in data management, configuration, engineering, supplier and quality management, and back-office operations. In 2019, Charissa pivoted to the Home Healthcare sector, where she took on the role of Director of Project Management. She successfully led the integration of six companies into a $1.2 billion Home Care network, a move that elevated the organization to the 5th largest in the country while securing $32 million in synergies. As Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Project Management, Charissa continues to drive strategic growth and operational excellence.
Background
- Elara Caring: Director of Project Management
- Airbus Americas: Senior Project Manager
- Raytheon Aerospace: Senior Configuration Manager
- Bombardier – Learjet: Configuration Manager
