Ascend Learning Appoints Dr. Lissy Hu as CEO, Greg Sebasky to Transition to Chairman
In a strategic move to solidify its position as a leader in healthcare learning solutions, Ascend Learning, LLC has announced the appointment of Dr. Lissy Hu as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Hu, a seasoned executive with a proven track record in the healthcare technology sector, will take the helm from Greg Sebasky, who is retiring after a decade as CEO and will transition to the role of Chairman of the Ascend Board of Managers in January 2025.
Dr. Hu brings a wealth of experience in building and leading transformational healthcare technology companies to her new role. Her previous experience includes serving as CEO of CarePort Health, a company she founded in 2012 to improve patient transitions by connecting hospitals and post-acute care providers. Following the acquisition of CarePort Health by WellSky in 2020, Dr. Hu served as President, Connected Networks, where she collaborated with providers and payers to optimize post-acute care outcomes across a vast network of healthcare entities.
Ascend Learning’s focus on the healthcare industry dates back to 2008. The company delivers critical learning solutions, including educational content, software, simulation, and analytics, to students, healthcare and educational institutions, and employers across the United States. Their offerings impact a wide range of professionals, including nurses, allied health professionals, medical students, fitness professionals, and first responders. Ascend’s impact is significant, with their products enabling over 60% of U.S. nursing school programs and being used by hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals each year.
Greg Sebasky, who has led Ascend Learning for the past 10 years, expressed confidence in Dr. Hu’s ability to guide the company’s continued growth and innovation. “Lissy’s wealth of market experience and track record of driving positive outcomes through leading-edge technology makes her the perfect fit to lead Ascend forward,” said Sebasky. “With Lissy at the helm, I am confident that Ascend will continue to grow, innovate and find new and better ways to help make communities across the U.S. healthier.” He expressed enthusiasm for continuing to support the Ascend team and mission in his new role as Chairman.
As the healthcare industry grapples with challenges such as professional shortages, aging populations, and rising costs, Ascend Learning is committed to delivering next-generation technology, content, and analytics to train, develop, and retain healthcare teams. Dr. Hu expressed her excitement for this mission, stating, “Fundamental to improving patient care is investing in our healthcare teams, and I am excited to further drive Ascend’s success in enabling clients to achieve elevated learner and educator outcomes and to support workers as they progress through their careers.” She emphasized the vital role of Ascend’s innovative learning solutions and expressed her honor in joining an organization with a significant, positive impact on healthcare education and workforce development.
Dr. Hu holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Harvard Medical School, a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in pre-medical studies and sociology from Columbia University. Her impressive educational background, coupled with her extensive experience in healthcare technology, positions her to lead Ascend Learning into a new era of growth and innovation.
About Ascend Learning
Ascend Learning is a leading provider of educational content and software tools for students, educational institutions, and employers. Their products span the learning continuum, with a special focus on high-growth careers in healthcare and other licensure-driven occupations. Ascend Learning’s comprehensive offerings support a wide range of professionals, including physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals, and insurance brokers.
To learn more about Ascend Learning, visit www.ascendlearning.com.
