Denise McQuaide Tapped to Lead Benchmark Wellness Management

WALTHAM — Benchmark, a leading provider of senior-living services in the Northeast, announced that Denise McQuaide has been appointed to serve as president and chief operating officer (COO) of its newly formed Benchmark Wellness Management division. With more than 30 years of executive healthcare experience, she joins Benchmark from Mount Auburn Hospital, where she was vice president of Post-acute Care. She will be responsible for building out the new urban-communities division with its specific focus on health and wellness.

“Denise has been a friend of Benchmark for many years and has proven to be a talented leader who shares our commitment to elevating human connection,” said Tom Grape, Benchmark’s founder, chairman, and CEO. “Her deep expertise in post-acute and long-term care, as well as senior living, will enable us to expand that area of our core business while introducing our award-winning services and hospitality to new urban communities.”

McQuaide oversaw the merger of Parmenter Home Care & Hospice into Mount Auburn Hospital’s home-care agency to form CareGroup Parmenter Home Care and Hospice in 2015. Prior to that, she served as president of Brickstone Senior Living and COO of Hebrew Senior Life. She also served as senior vice president of Operations for New England for Genesis HealthCare, where she oversaw 60 skilled-nursing facilities and five assisted-living communities. 

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked with a number of Benchmark communities and have always had great respect for Tom and for the high level of care that Benchmark provides,” McQuaide said. “I am thrilled to be leading this new venture and eager to redefine the wellness experience within an urban setting for the upcoming generation of Benchmark residents and families.”

McQuaide earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from UMass Lowell.