Hospital for Special Care Names Appointments for Two Key Executive Leadership Roles
November 4, 2026NEW BRITAIN, Conn., November 4, 2026 – Hospital for Special Care (HFSC) has named two executive appointments to fill key leadership positions within the organization.
Mana Zarinejad joins as Vice President and Chief Development Officer, where she will be responsible for integrating philanthropy into organizational strategy, capital priorities, and growth initiatives. Mana will work closely with the CEO, executive leadership, and the Board of Directors to secure major, corporate, and transformational philanthropic support. One of HFSC’s current capital projects is the recently announced expansion of the Medical Rehabilitation Unit to include 10 private patient rooms which will allow the organization to accommodate more medically complex patients.
Erin Ives has been promoted to Vice President of Quality to fill the position left vacant by the appointment of Jennifer Farley to Chief Operating Officer (COO) in August. In her new role, Erin will work closely with the COO and executive team and be responsible for the execution and operational leadership of quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, risk management, accreditation readiness, emergency preparedness, and clinical contract performance within the hospital.
“As we advance our strategic plan and growth initiatives, having a strong, experienced leader like Mana is critical to successfully guiding our fundraising efforts and capital projects,” said Moses Vargas, President and Chief Executive Officer for Hospital for Special Care. “Additionally, Erin brings a high level of clinical rigor, dedication to quality, and sharp focus on patient safety that will ensure our growth directly translates into exceptional care for the community we serve.”
Mana Zarinejad
Mana brings more than 25 years of experience in fundraising, strategic partnerships, and institutional advancement across healthcare and other mission-driven organizations. She most recently served as Executive Director of The Connecticut Forum, and previously worked at Connecticut Children’s Foundation, where she oversaw the capital campaign for a time and led corporate and foundation engagement. Additionally, Mana held development and strategic leadership roles at the Center for Strategic and International Studies at American University and Marine Corps University Foundation. Mana is a recent Redwood Fellow, part of a group of influential leaders from across Connecticut’s towns, cities, and professional sectors brought together to take collaborative action for a stronger state.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and English from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in International development from American University.
Erin Ives
Erin brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience spanning clinical practice, operations, regulatory compliance, and healthcare technology. Erin most recently served as Director of Hospital Applications at Hospital for Special Care, where she has led technology governance and major enterprise system implementations including the EMR, HCM, and Payroll conversions.
Previously, Erin spent more than 15 years leading clinical operations in a variety of rehabilitation settings. Erin is a licensed physical therapist with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hartford and a master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport. She is currently pursuing a master’s of Business Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In her spare time, Erin enjoys gardening, hiking, and reading.
About Hospital for Special Care
Hospital for Special Care (HFSC) is the fourth largest, free-standing long-term acute care hospital in the U.S. and one of only two in the nation serving adults and children. HFSC is recognized for advanced care and rehabilitation in pulmonary care, acquired brain injury, medically-complex pediatrics, neuromuscular disorders including ALS research, spinal cord injury, comprehensive heart failure and comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment for children and adolescents with
autism spectrum disorder. Located in New Britain, Hartford, Hebron, and Cromwell, CT, HFSC operates inpatient and outpatient facilities serving Southern New England and the Tri-State area on a not-for-profit basis. For the latest news and information, please visit www.hfsc.org, and follow us on Facebook (@HospitalforSpecialCare) and LinkedIn (@Hospital-for-Special-Care).