ALEXANDRIA, Va.--AAHomecare announced last week that Kay Cox has stepped down as president and CEO effective Feb 6. According to a statement issued by the association, the decision was mutual between Cox and its board of directors.

In June 2003, Cox was hired from a field of 26 candidates to replace Tom Connaughton, who resigned after the expiration of a three-year contract. With more than 20 years of health care experience, Cox had previously served as vice president of the Washington office and political action committee of skilled nursing facility operator Beverly Enterprises. Immediately after accepting the job, Cox noted the association had its work cut out with the then-pending items of competitive bidding and Medicare copays "at the top of the national Medicare-reform agenda."

According to AAHomecare Chairman Tom Ryan, a search committee has been formed "and will move diligently to fill this position." In the interim, COO Sue Mairena will continue to be responsible for the association's day-to-day activities, working closely with the executive committee of the board.

The timing of the change will allow the board "to evaluate the operational model of the association to ensure that it furthers the legislative and regulatory needs of our diverse membership," said Todd Brason, AAHomecare vice chair. "We remain committed to the fact that the industry needs to be represented by one face and one voice."