Leadership

Sylvia Allais, Chief Executive Officer, brings over 20 years of hospice and home care leadership to The Connecticut Hospice. She previously held key roles here, including Chief Quality and Compliance Officer, before serving as Vice President of Quality at Masonicare and later as CEO of Home Care and Hospice of the Valley in Colorado. There, she revitalized operations, achieving top Medicare ratings and implementing a sustainable care model.

Now returning as CEO, Sylvia is committed to advancing Connecticut Hospice’s legacy of compassionate, patient-centered care. She holds a master’s degree in operational leadership from Quinnipiac University and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Kate Sims, Chief Operating Officer / Chief Compliance Officer, is a healthcare executive with a proven track record of providing daily oversight and strategic management for hospital operations and community health institutions ensuring coordination with all departments to promote the delivery of safe, quality, patient care. Adept at bringing cross-functional disciplines together enhancing operational efficiencies though process improvement initiatives. Focus on change improvement programs designed to foster wellness, teamwork, growth, quality outcomes and patient experience.

Operations / Patient Experience / Data Analytics / Physician Relations / Board Relations / Quality & Safety / Financial Management / Process Improvement – LEAN / Continuity of Care / Leadership Development

Mary Gilhuly, Chief Financial Officer, started her career in public accounting, working at a CPA firm that served many different types of nonprofit companies. She was in public accounting for nine years and then moved into the private nonprofit sector. Mary worked for three different nonprofits over the past 25 years. She is a member of the CTCPA and was awarded the inaugural CTCPA Women’s Award in 2020. Mary describes the key components of her role as CFO as being an active, engaged member of the senior management team with oversight to Finance, Billing, IT and Facilities departments.

Collaboration and problem-solving are two of Mary's biggest strengths. Like a true leader, Mary stated, "I am motivated by the opportunity to learn new things and to be a helpful team member." Outside of work, Mary is an avid UCONN men's basketball fan and has been a season ticket holder for many years. She enjoys reading and spending time with her friends and family.

Dr. Joseph Sacco, Chief Medical Officer at Connecticut Hospice since 2016, is a board-certified hospice and palliative medicine physician with over 40 years of experience. He oversees clinical and operational activities for its 53-bed Joint Commission-certified hospital and home care services for 225–250 patients, managing a team of physicians and APRNs across inpatient and homecare offices.

Previously, he founded and led the palliative medicine consultation and hospice inpatient service at Bronx Lebanon Hospital (2004–2016). Board-certified in Family Medicine (1986) and Hospice & Palliative Medicine (2007), he is an assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine. He has published in Health Affairs, AJHPM, and The New York Times, and authored three books. He lives in Madison, CT, with his wife, Colleen, and enjoys writing and wilderness backpacking with Colleen and their daughter, Rosie.

Douglas Shaw, Chief Development Officer, recently joined Connecticut Hospice. Among his achievements, he successfully led fundraising efforts alongside key volunteers to build the long-awaited Soundview Family YMCA in Branford. With 18 years of experience as a chief executive, Doug brings valuable leadership skills to his new role. He resides in Branford with his three children, JD, Brianna, and Michael. He is enthusiastic about joining the dedicated staff and volunteers at CT Hospice.