Family & Occupational Medicine Physician

Landmark Funeral Group names Jackie Short Chief Operating Officer. We believe that every funeral director should have the tools to succeed. With the help of our field-leading partners, we publish daily funeral industry news and provide free tools to help our readers advance their careers and grow their businesses. Our editorial focus on the future, covering impact-conscious funeral care, trends, tech, marketing, and exploring how today's funeral news affects your future. Former Headlands Research COO brings deep multi-site operations experience to Landmark's growing network of funeral homes TOLEDO, OH, UNITED STATES, August 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ - Landmark Funeral Group today announced the appointment of Jackie Short as Chief Operating Officer. Short joins Landmark from Headlands Research, where she served as Chief Operating Officer of the private equity-backed clinical research network operating across the United States and Canada. Throughout her career, she has led multi-site organizations through rapid growth, integration and operational transformation, building the leadership teams, operating models and infrastructure that enable local teams to deliver exceptional care while adapting to change. Short's appointment reflects Landmark's continued investment in the leadership and operational excellence that support its growing network of locally owned and operated funeral homes. As the company expands, Landmark is strengthening the systems and local leadership that allow each funeral home to preserve its legacy while continuing to serve families in the community. "As Landmark continues to grow, we're building an organization that gives our partner funeral homes the leadership, support and resources they need to succeed," said Seb D'Appolonia, President and CEO of Landmark Funeral Group. "Jackie has spent her career leading complex, multi-site organizations while developing strong teams and a culture of operational excellence. Her experience, leadership style and commitment to people make her an outstanding addition to Landmark as we continue investing in the long-term success of our funeral homes." As COO, Short will oversee Landmark's operations across its partner firms, with a focus on developing local leadership, establishing scalable operating models, and strengthening the cultural foundation that connects the network. Her focus will be on giving funeral directors and their teams the resources and operational structure to best serve families, while preserving the autonomy and identity that make each funeral home unique. In addition to her most recent role as COO of Headlands Research, Short's career spans some of healthcare's most operationally demanding environments. Previously, as Vice President of Central Operations at Marathon Health, she guided the merger of Marathon Health and Our Health through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She also held regional and division leadership roles at DaVita Kidney Care and Trilogy Health Services, where she specialized in strengthening operations, developing leaders and building scalable operating models across multi-site organizations. "The most important lesson I've learned is that organizations succeed when the people closest to the families they serve are trusted, supported and empowered," said Short. " That's what drew me to Landmark. The company is committed to strengthening community funeral homes while preserving the values and local relationships that make each one unique. I'm excited to help build the operational foundation that allows our funeral professionals to focus on what matters most: serving families." About Landmark Funeral Group Landmark works alongside dedicated funeral professionals who share a commitment to compassionate care, operational excellence and preserving the legacy of community funeral homes. With advanced technology integrations, strategic resources, and thoughtful investment, Landmark helps independent funeral homes grow and thrive while enabling local teams to continue serving families with the care and trust that define the profession. Learn more at www.landmarkfuneralgroup.com.

Marathon Health adding three health centers in metro Detroit, joining Novi. Indianapolis-based Marathon Health, a provider of advanced primary care for employers and labor organizations across the U.S., is expanding its network in metro Detroit. June 22, 2026 Indianapolis-based Marathon Health, a provider of advanced primary care for employers and labor organizations across the U.S., is expanding its network in metro Detroit. With an existing health center in Novi, the network expansion includes a new location in Sterling Heights, along with a health center each in Pontiac and Taylor. The latter two centers are scheduled to open later this year. The centers offer members "affordable access to primary care, mental health, and preventive services across southeast Michigan." The expansion comes as Michigan communities face increasing barriers to timely primary care driven by provider shortages and rising costs. In practice, Marathon Health provides access to employers, labor unions, and the public sector to advanced primary care without the associated capital investment of traditional onsite clinics. In 2014, based on the vision of their consultant Manquen Vance (a Gallagher company), early adopters of the employer health center concept included the cities of Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Hazel Park, and Oak Park. The five cities formed a coalition under the Urban Cooperation Act with the idea of improving employee health care services while providing savings to the cities themselves. The coalition, MiLife, located on public land in Madison Heights, was recently joined by Oakland County, UA Local 98, and UA Local 636. The Detroit network health centers will include same or next-day access to primary care, mental health, chronic disease management, physical therapy, and more "with low out-of-pocket costs." The network states it will expand over time, adding more health centers and new services. With Marathon, plan sponsors pay a monthly fee to provide employees and their families with direct access to health centers as part of their benefits, alongside traditional health insurance. The model emphasizes longer visits, preventive care, and integrated services to avoid unnecessary emergency department visits or specialist referrals. In a recent claims-based study, Marathon reports average annual savings of $1,100 per engaged member. "We are excited to expand in the Detroit region and partner with local organizations to improve access to health care and wellness services," says Chris Pricco, CEO of Marathon Health. "We're especially grateful to our early Detroit-area partners - Oakland County, Local 98, Local 636, and MiLife - whose collaboration helped build momentum for this expansion. "This growth highlights the increasing interest in health care models that deliver better outcomes at lower costs compared to traditional insurance-driven systems. It's a win-win for everyone, especially as communities across the U.S. continue to face health care workforce shortages and rising costs." Marathon Health states it has provided advanced primary care to more than 3 million eligible members nationwide. Founded in 2001, Marathon's footprint has expanded to more than 1,600 providers at 720 health centers in 41 states, with virtual care access available nationwide. The advanced primary care network includes more than 100 health centers nationwide. "Oakland County is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our employees and their families, and access to high-quality, affordable health care is a critical part of that commitment," says Dave Coulter, Oakland County Executive. "Our partnership with Marathon Health helps bring primary care, mental health services, and preventive care closer and more accessible to our employees. We're proud to be part of an innovative approach that prioritizes healthier communities while helping address the growing challenges in health care access across Southeast Michigan."