Experienced hospice and healthcare executive joins Buds Technology to strengthen customer engagement, adoption, and value realization
Roswell, GA – Oct 1, 2026: Buds Technology today announced the appointment of Tricia Smith as Director of Customer Experience, bringing more than 20 years of executive leadership across hospice, home health, post-acute care, and other healthcare organizations.
Tricia brings extensive experience leading healthcare organizations and working directly with providers to improve operations, navigate regulatory and compliance challenges, and make effective technology decisions. Her career includes more than 17 years as a President and CEO of a multi-site healthcare organization with operations spanning home health, hospice, primary care, behavioral health, assisted living, and skilled nursing. In her new role at Buds Technology, Tricia will focus on helping customers successfully adopt the company's technology and realize measurable value. She will lead the customer journey, including onboarding, training, workflow integration, adoption, and ongoing engagement, while working closely with clinical, compliance, and operational leaders.
“Tricia brings a unique perspective to Buds because she understands our customers from the inside out,” said Farrokh Abadi, CEO, Buds Technology. “Her deep hospice experience and operational leadership will help us strengthen the customer experience and ensure that our technology delivers meaningful, and measurable value.”
Tricia will also support Buds Technology's growth and industry engagement, including relationships with hospice providers, industry thought leadership, and state and national hospice association activities.
“I’m excited to join Buds Technology and bring my experience from the provider side to help organizations get the greatest value from technology,” said Tricia Smith. “I look forward to working closely with Buds customers and the team to help make technology practical, intuitive, and valuable in the day-to-day delivery of hospice care.”
Tricia holds a Bachelor of Science from California Polytechnic State University–San Luis Obispo, attended University of La Verne’s Health Administration graduate program and is an Advanced Certified Home Care and Hospice Executive.
About Akssi by Buds Technology:
Akssi is the operating layer for hospice decision protection. Working alongside hospice EMRs, Akssi continuously reviews 100% of documentation to identify compliance and eligibility gaps, flags issues that require attention, and enables hospices to resolve them before claims are submitted to CMS.
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