Joel Wherley
Chief Operating Officer
Joel L. Wherley is executive vice president and chief operating officer of VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care. Joel oversees all operations and clinical services of the company’s 49 hospice programs in 14 states and the District of Columbia.
He joined VITAS in 2016 as senior vice president of hospice operations and was promoted to his current role in 2017.
Joel began his career as a respiratory therapist and has enjoyed an extensive executive healthcare career in clinical sales and operational management, including 10 years in hospice. His well-established experience and dedication to accountability, growth, efficiency, and motivational leadership have earned him accolades and awards.
Prior to joining VITAS, Joel served in executive-level positions at several healthcare companies. At Hospice Advantage, he was division vice president, providing day-to-day leadership of clinical, operations, and sales divisions, with responsibility to the board of directors. As a regional vice president at Gentiva Health Services, he managed the largest division within the company’s hospice portfolio and was twice recognized as regional vice president of the year.
Joel serves on the board of directors of the South Florida Hospital & Healthcare Association, whose mission is to improve the efficient delivery of high-quality healthcare services to local communities.
Joel earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and organizational design from the University of Illinois at Springfield.