VNA Health Appointed Sena Woodall as COO
Sena Woodall has been named the new chief operating officer at the Santa Barbara health organization.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in People
VNA Health has named registered nurse Sena Woodall as its new chief operating officer, succeeding the retiring Jo Ann Mack. Woodall assumes leadership of the organization's home health and hospice services in Santa Barbara.
Why it matters
The appointment transitions internal leadership to a veteran of the organization, ensuring continuity for critical home health and hospice operations in the region. Woodall will be tasked with implementing new goals for service delivery across the community.
The transition replaces the outgoing chief operating officer, Jo Ann Mack, with Sena Woodall, who brings experience from roles including hospice manager, senior director, and vice president of operations at VNA Health.
The players
Sena Woodall
She is a registered nurse with an MBA who has served in various clinical and operational leadership roles at VNA Health.
Jo Ann Mack
She is the outgoing chief operating officer of VNA Health who has transitioned into retirement.
VNA Health
This Santa Barbara-based organization provides home health and hospice care services to the local community.
The details
In her new role, Woodall is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of home health and hospice services. She brings a background in both nursing and healthcare management to the position.
Timeline
Woodall earned her MS in nursing in 2016.
Woodall joined VNA Health as a hospice manager in 2018.
Woodall earned her MBA in healthcare management in 2021.
Woodall rejoined VNA Health as senior director of hospice in 2023.
VNA Health announced Woodall as the new COO on September 26, 2026.
Market Landscape
The selection of an internal veteran mirrors a wider shift toward promoting clinical leaders into executive suites within regional healthcare systems. This strategy prioritizes continuity as organizations compete to stabilize operations in a shifting regulatory environment.
Patients and families utilizing VNA Health services can expect continued oversight of home health and hospice programs under the new leadership. The appointment does not immediately impact service availability or billing for local residents.
The takeaway
Healthcare organizations increasingly look to internal candidates with clinical backgrounds to bridge the gap between patient care and business operations. This move underscores the value of institutional knowledge in maintaining effective local hospice networks.
Further reading
Learn more about organizational leadership changes in the People section.
More information
For additional information, visit the VNA Health website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Noozhawk.
