BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Brookdale Senior Living has appointed Mary Sue Patchett chief operating officer, following more than eight years without a formal COO. Tennessee-based Brookdale’s most recent COO, Labeed Diab, resigned from the company in 2017, after less than two years in the position.
Patchett will assume her new role Dec. 1, bringing more than 40 years of experience in senior living operations. Previously, during a 25-year tenure with Brookdale that ended in 2021, Patchett served as executive vice president of strategic operations, executive vice president of community and field operations and president of the Southeast division. Patchett has also served as senior vice president of operations and COO with Horizon Bay. Prior to joining Horizon Bay, she was president and owner of a management consulting firm for seniors housing and healthcare companies and acted as divisional vice president of Alterra for more than six years. Patchett began her career at Sunrise Senior Living.
As COO of Brookdale, Patchett will oversee six regional vice presidents, as well as clinical, dementia care, service alignment, resident and family engagement and experience and dining leaders. Brookdale ranked as the largest operator and third-largest owner in the 2025 edition of the ASHA 50, which is based on figures from June 1, 2025.